SBC Ordination Process

[aReformedPatriot]

Can someone outline the procedure for this?

 

[rural_preacher]

I am not in a SBC church now; however, I served as the youth pastor in one almost 12 years ago. I remember that church ordaining a man during the time I was there.

In the SBC (like most baptist groups), the local church is autonomous. Ordination is not a denominational process. It is something done by the local church. Ordination is the formal recognition by the local body of believers of God's call in a person's life to preach.

SBC churches likely follow a similar process to that of other baptist churches. An individual publicly declares God's call to preach. The church leadership gives that individual opportunities to preach and serve in other ways to demonstrate that call and the spiritual gifts that God has placed on them. After a period of time, a council of ordained pastors from other churches is called together to examine the candidate's doctrinal position and personal testimony (this is an oral examine). If the candidate answers the council's questions to their satisfaction, they recommend to that local church that the candidate be ordained. The church then has an ordination service and lays hands on the individual.

Usually some amount of Bible college and/or seminary is expected of the candidate prior to such a process.

Of course, because of the autonomy of the local church, each churches process will be different. The above is simply a common process followed in many baptist churches.

 

[BT]

Right preacher! Though in many cases the candidate is required to write a ministry of philosophy and a systematic theology (in short of course just covering major theological positions like the means of salvation, propitiation, end times, etc..). During the oral exam the candidate is required to defend his doctrinal positions. Based upon his work (the writing) his beliefs (what's in the writings) and his ability to defend his beliefs (his use of authority) a determination is made.

I'm somewhat up to date on this procedure myself. ;-)

 

[aReformedPatriot]

Thanks Guys! They both sound challenging and fun!

 

[BT]

Did I mention that during the whole process they refer to you as "candidate" and slap you repeatedly upside the head?

 

[aReformedPatriot]

they slap you? What kind of baptist church do you goto?????

 

[daveleau]

lol, sounds like my college's freshman year.
http://www.citadel.edu/

 

[aReformedPatriot]

the reputation preceeds the name

 

[rural_preacher]

Did I mention that during the whole process they refer to you as "candidate" and slap you repeatedly upside the head?

LOL

I remember at my ordination council that it started out with my pastor talking about everyone's love for me and for each other. "We're not here to attack you, we're here to learn and edify one another." But when you're standing there for almost 6 hours being questioned on every detail of your doctrinal statement it gets intense...especially when they don't always agree completely with each other.

One of the statements I had in my paper was "God is an eternal spirit". I was asked if I believed there is more than one eternal spirit because I used the word "an" instead of saying "God is the only eternal spirit". They can get pretty nit-picky.

 

[Ave Maria]

LOL

I remember at my ordination council that it started out with my pastor talking about everyone's love for me and for each other. "We're not here to attack you, we're here to learn and edify one another." But when you're standing there for almost 6 hours being questioned on every detail of your doctrinal statement it gets intense...especially when they don't always agree completely with each other.

One of the statements I had in my paper was "God is an eternal spirit". I was asked if I believed there is more than one eternal spirit because I used the word "an" instead of saying "God is the only eternal spirit". They can get pretty nit-picky.

Yeah but I would think that being picky is a good thing. It helps to make sure that the candidate has sound doctrine. You have to be careful anymore. I just read an article the other day about how some Episcopalian priests had just apologised for being leaders of a local group of Druids. Druidism is a Pagan religion. I say this because it just goes to show that the Devil can creep in to our churches in many ways that we may not even expect.

 

[rural_preacher]

Yeah but I would think that being picky is a good thing. It helps to make sure that the candidate has sound doctrine. You have to be careful anymore. I just read an article the other day about how some Episcopalian priests had just apologised for being leaders of a local group of Druids. Druidism is a Pagan religion. I say this because it just goes to show that the Devil can creep in to our churches in many ways that we may not even expect.

I agree completely. The extreme detail of an ordination council is essential. I am sincerely grateful to those men who examined me. They challenged me and further contributed to my preparation for pastoral ministry.

It is very intense and completely worthwhile. I highly recommend the experience to anyone who is called by God to pursue a life of vocational ministry.