Who is ordained and who isn't?

[Clint]

What does it mean to be “ordained”? Is it something God does? Is it something people do to other people? Would we even bother with it if it wasn’t for the human legal factor? Can one be "ordained' without the action of organized religion?

[mominiowa]

I KNOW I am going to be ate alive for this one......


I am ordained..Yep I am! I am a born Catholic and it made my mom SICK when I told her I was going to marry my nephew and his wife..Their Pastors daughter became very ill- and he could not make the trip from Colorado..so they were out..Couldn't get a JP - and no one else would marry them - One was Lutheran & 1 Catholic..sooo the court house told me about the Ordination - on-line and I went and recieved it - Married them in a wonderful outside wedding by the lake..All legal..

[the cool mom of 3]

It is funny that you post this... my husband is going through this himself. We have been saved, born again christians for almost 20 years, have been involved in many different ministries and now he is thinking about being "ordained" into the Church of God. He brought home this seven page "rule book" that you have to go through and then go in front of a "panel" so they can look you over and discuss your answers to their questions. He said himself "Am I ordained by their standards, not what God considers a 'servant'"? I just don't understand how "man" can say whether or not one is worthy to serve God. A piece of paper does not justify whether you can preach or teach or perform any of the gifts that God has given you.

[mominiowa]

Hey there Cool - and welcome..When my mother became upset - I wondered to myself..Why does this bother her...But you are right about "Does this give you the power to do God's work" - I guess I look at it as - I did this for a favor for my family, I have not used it but one other time - but I do write wedding vows and such for weddings...I was told that if I was ever in a situtaion where my life or my childs life was in danger to go ahead with a blessings and last rights..because we have just as much power as our church leaders when it comes to blessings..Unture? Maybe - but in who's eyes?

Welcome - Welcome- by the way..I look forward to reading your posts!!

[Clint]

Originally Posted by the cool mom of 3

It is funny that you post this... my husband is going through this himself. We have been saved, born again christians for almost 20 years, have been involved in many different ministries and now he is thinking about being "ordained" into the Church of God. He brought home this seven page "rule book" that you have to go through and then go in front of a "panel" so they can look you over and discuss your answers to their questions. He said himself "Am I ordained by their standards, not what God considers a 'servant'"? I just don't understand how "man" can say whether or not one is worthy to serve God. A piece of paper does not justify whether you can preach or teach or perform any of the gifts that God has given you.

It’s a real dilemma. He wants to serve but they won’t let him unless he fits their mold. They essentially say, “God ordains but we get to say who He ordains”.

[Clint]

the cool mom of 3,

Sorry for being so rude. Thank you for posting and it's good to see you here.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by mominiowa

I KNOW I am going to be ate alive for this one......


I am ordained..Yep I am! I am a born Catholic and it made my mom SICK when I told her I was going to marry my nephew and his wife..Their Pastors daughter became very ill- and he could not make the trip from Colorado..so they were out..Couldn't get a JP - and no one else would marry them - One was Lutheran & 1 Catholic..sooo the court house told me about the Ordination - on-line and I went and recieved it - Married them in a wonderful outside wedding by the lake..All legal..

So, who ordained you? Was it the state? Was it God? Was it the computer?

[Ted]

The church was established by the disciples of Christ. Jesus gave certain powers to the church through his disciples.

Ordination in most churches if preceeded by formal training. After one passes the formal training one can then approach the head of the church and in the case of the Anglican church that is the Bishop. The Bishop and a panel of Christians interview the person and after a lengthy discussion and then a meeting of the panel with the Bishop, based on the authority given to the Bishop the candidate is either accepted or rejected.

Ordination is part of the Apostolic accession. That is the power to ordain has been handed down through the centuries by the laying on of hands whose unbroken chain goes back to the Lord himself.

Shalom
Ted

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Ted

Ordination is part of the Apostolic accession. That is the power to ordain has been handed down through the centuries by the laying on of hands whose unbroken chain goes back to the Lord himself.

You say that the laying on of hands is an unbroken chain that goes all the way back to the Lord. Who did the Lord ordain with the laying on of hands?

[Ted]

Clint

I actually don't know if Jesus ordained anyone himself. But he clearly gave his disciples the right to forgive or not forgive sins; to speak in His name and to run His church.

So my assumption is that the disciples began the practise of ordination under the directions that they were given by Jesus.

Shalom
Ted