The Ordination Process

The act of ordination differs widely; however, it always involves the laying on of hands and prayer. This practice goes back to the New Testament and is the principal act of ordination. A service of ordination may also involve a report from the ordaining council, sermon, charge to the candidate, ordination prayer, presentation of a Bible, a benediction, and music. Often an ordination certificate is presented to the newly ordained minister. Laying on of hands may involve only other ordained ministers or the entire congregation depending on the traditions of the church and/or denomination.

Although the church decides who it will call and ordain, the principal actor in the ordination process is God, for the ordained person is set apart for God's service. The emphasis is on what God is doing for the church through the provision of leadership.5

Ordination signals to God's people that the ministry of the ordained person is legitimate and authentic. Furthermore, the ordained person joins a body of ministers that represent the universal church in the broader community.