Operation: Ordination: A Practical Manual for Ordaining Men for Christian Ministry

This resource has been developed to help busy pastors who must undergo ordination themselves or oversee the ordination of an associate, assistant, or other minister of the Gospel. It is designed with Baptist churches in mind, but may be readily adapted for use in “baptistic” churches or other congregationally ruled churches, as well as creatively altered to fit many nondenominational and ecclesiastical settings (denominations will have their own pre-established protocol for ordination). The resource is most helpful when used “as is,” but that will obviously be up to the pastor using it. This resource is not an attempt to diminish church autonomy, nor is it an attempt to serve as a primer for an ordination “policy manual.” It is simply to serve as a compilation of helpful ideas that will assist one in executing the necessary steps of the ordination process. As a resource, the Operation: Ordination will provide pastors with a “guideline” (from beginning to end) for the ordination of prospective candidates for ministry. This resource does not present a theology or philosophy of ordination, nor does it define ordination. These issues are for the local church and association of churches (or denominations) to decide. It is assumed that one using this resource already has a working theology of ordination and understands the purpose of ordination. The authors also assume that those who use this resource have a Biblical concept of what it means to be “called into” the ministry. Without the special call and anointing of God on the ordination candidate, the whole process is a farce. Remember, ordination is not a professional credential (in the purest sense of the word); it is a recognition and affirmation of a “calling.” Take it very seriously.