There are multiple, important purposes for the ordination of ministers in the Church of God which should be valued accordingly and never undermined because of personal agendas, philosophies, or prejudices.

Confirmation of Something Spiritual

According to scriptural teaching, there is something spiritual conveyed in the act of ministerial ordination. Paul referred to ordination when he instructed Timothy: “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery” (1 Timothy 4:14). The study of this verse conveys much truth about the practice of ordination.Read more

Qualifications. A minister who is a candidate for ordination should clearly have the anointing and call of God on his ministry and meet the scriptural qualifications for a bishop as outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7. These scriptural qualifications should be incumbent upon all who minister; however, they should be without question in a minister’s life before ordination takes place. The minister should be representative of the body of Christ and an example of holiness, sound in doctrine, and Christlike in spirit. The anointing of the Lord should be evident to the general body, not to just a few. Candidates for ordination should be effective in their labors and an asset rather than a liability to the ministry. Their integrity in business, temporal and spiritual, should be without reproach and they should have the confidence of the people. While it is a high calling, ordination should never be confused with requiring human perfection, for everyone makes mistakes, has weaknesses, and personality attributes on which God is still working.Read more

The scripture does not lay out a blueprint for the ordination process. It gives the qualifications and leaves some things in the hands of Holy Spirit led men of God. The protocols shared below are not biblical rules incumbent upon every minister; rather, they are things to consider in the ordination process for edification. As the apostle Paul, I write these things by permission, not by commandment.Read more

Among the Jews, “At the ordination of the president of the synagogue there were always three presbyters present to lay on hands, so the early Church canons required three bishops to be present at the consecration of a bishop” [Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Timothy 4:14].

“But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

— Matthew 23:8-12

Even though there are differing gifts, calls, and administrations, there is an equality among the ministers. Jesus said, “All ye are brethren.” He was clearly speaking against titles and a hierarchical ministry. While recognizing the value of ordination and giving room for the exercise of the scriptural authority that comes with it, there is an equality among the ministers which is unique among the Church of God.
Jesus called His disciples to him and said: “Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all” (Mark 10:42-44).Read more