The Transfer in Ordination

Ephesians 4:11–16 NIV84

11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

1. Ordination is a transfer of responsibility

Not authority but responsibility

Authority has a bad rap; therefore, we use responsibility

Leadership should work to unite not divide

God is a God of order and unity

He bestows blessing in unity

Jealousy should not exist within ministry teams

Saul was jealous of David and it cause many problems

Be responsible in your walk with the Lord

2. Ordination is a transfer of ministry

Elisha did not ask to be greater than Elijah

Elisha did ask to continue Elijah’s ministry

He had big shoes to fill

Someone said, “We are dwarfs standing on the shoulders of giants.”

Those who have served before us are those giants

We can see farther than the previous generation but only because of their work

Jesus said that we would do greater works

That is only possible because of Jesus

Ministry is a sacrificial service

Ministry is not about influence, fame, or power

We are called to minister and that is a sacrifice

Be willing to sacrifice

3. Ordination is a transfer of the Spirit

Jesus was filled with the Spirit

Luke 4:18–19 NIV84

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

We need the Spirit to help us in our ministry

Jesus promised the Spirit to His disciples

John 14:26 NIV84

26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

You and I are recipients of this same promise

John 16:13 NIV84

13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

We need the Spirit to continue in the truth

John 20:22 NIV84

22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

We have the Holy Spirit

The Spirit filled the disciples—promise kept

Acts 1:5 NIV84

5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 1:8 NIV84

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Spirit gives us power

We don’t receive political power

We don’t receive economic power

We don’t receive personal power

He gives us Spiritual Power

We must always seek this power and only this power

We can’t minister effectively without this spiritual power

Those we set apart today will serve well if they accept responsibility, are willing to serve, and are yielded to God’s power in their lives

The candidates for ordination please step forward

1 Timothy 1:12–17 NIV84

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Numbers 11:17 CSB

17 Then I will come down and speak with you there. I will take some of the Spirit who is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.

Titus 1:6–9 CSB

6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. 7 As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.

Christian Minister’s Manual Ordination Service for a Minister

ORDINATION SERVICE FOR A MINISTER

What are we doing?

God has always called his workers to ministry and continues to do so today. God called Abraham, Moses, Peter and Paul to particular ministries. In the same way he calls us to specific ministries. In this service we set aside a candidate for special, called service to the Lord.

Prayer

Responsive Reading

Leader: Ephesians 4:11–13, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Congregation: has been called to this biblical ministry.

Leader: (to the candidate): Have you considered seriously this biblical ministry to which you are called?

Candidate: I have.

Leader: As a minister, you are called to a higher level of responsibility and integrity than other Christians. Have you seriously considered the high level of integrity, morality, and Christian living to which you are called?

Candidate: I have.

Leader: Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God, your personal Lord and Savior?

Candidate: I do.

Leader: You do not enter this ministry alone, but with the help and support of the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, the great cloud of witnesses in Heaven, and the church universal. Church, please repeat these words of faith.

Congregation and Leader: I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and my personal Lord and Savior.

Leader: (to the candidate) Will you strive to encourage the church and lead the lost to a saving relationship with Christ?

Candidate: I will.

Leader: Will you remain faithful to the teaching of Scripture, teaching “the whole counsel of God,” as you teach in the church?

Candidate: I will.

Leader: Will you follow the leading of the authority of the local eldership of the church you serve, promoting unity in the cause of Christ?

Candidate: I will.

The Laying On of Hands

(Candidate will kneel.)

Leader: The elders and ministers will now lay on hands and pray, setting you apart for this ministry. (If there is a large group perhaps only 3 or 4 will pray and use sentence prayers.)

Charge to the New Minister

Paul in 2 Timothy 4:1, 2 gives the minister five imperatives to biblical ministry. “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction.”

Paul encourages ministers to preach the Word. This is the basis for everything you do in the ministry. Always preach the Word in your life. The good news is the message of the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Your ministry is to take the good news and relate it to life.

Paul encouraged ministers to be prepared. The nature of good ministry is study. You are committing to a life of preparation. Much of your work will be done in the study. God works mightily through his Holy Spirit as you spend time developing lessons and sermons. This task takes discipline, “in season and out of season.”

Paul encouraged ministers to correct. This is a law term for cross-examination. Your task is to cross-examine the culture in which we live. God’s Word never changes, but the culture does change. Determine the best ways to present that Word to this culture.

Paul encouraged ministers to rebuke. In the early church this world involved moral error. Ethics count in God’s economy. Integrity must be at the center of everything you do.

Paul encouraged ministers to exhort. There are two ideas here: encourage and urge. It is your responsibility to encourage the church and urge her to faithfulness. At the same time, you are to encourage the culture to examine the claims of Jesus and urge people to make decisions in accordance with his will.

This is biblical ministry. You are called to this ministry.

We send you in the anointing of our Lord

Welcome to the ministry of the Gospel

Presentation of Certificates