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The rescinding of ordinations

Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by Mexdeaf, Feb 13, 2010.

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  1. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    Recently a friend asked me for advice. He left an IFB-extreme church to pastor a conservative SBC church. The former pastor now has sent him a letter telling him to send his ordination certificate back because he is no longer an "Independent Fundamental Baptist".

    No where on the certificate does it indicate "IFB". My friend has denied none of the true Fundamentals of the faith. Furthermore there is the question of Pastoral authority- does the former pastor have the right to demand this?

    Would love your thoughts on this- remember this is a FELLOWSHIP forum. If you want to fight you'll have to start another thread up top.:smilewinkgrin:
     
    #1 Mexdeaf, Feb 13, 2010
  2. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    I would send the ordination papers back .... POSTAGE DUE! It is usually the church that ordains people, so it ought to come as a request/demand from the ordaining church. But I would knock the dust of my shoes and never look backk.

    He should talk to his church's leaders, tell them what has happened and have them ordain him. Personally, I think they will simply give him a substsitute paper without having to go through another ordination council.

    When I left the IFB for a SBC church I wasn't de-ordained, but I was shunned because I had left the "true faith" (my words, not theirs). But to this day some will only politely say "hello" when we see each other at various functions.
     
    #2 Tom Bryant, Feb 13, 2010
  3. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    Well what recourse does the other pastor have here? Is he gonna come up and fight your friend or just glare at him over the ecclesial divide?

    But seriously this is another reason I can't stand fundamentalism. Your friend has done nothing wrong and they want to penalize him. Good grief, we have such bigger things to do. In reality, while I don't know your friends situation, he might do well to return the ordination with a qualifying letter that he hasn't fallen morally or theologically. Then he should line up ordination with a good church and allow that process to take place.

    As part of my ordination council I agreed that if I ever had morality or deep theological issues that I would return my ordination to that church.
     
    #3 preachinjesus, Feb 13, 2010
  4. fbcodr

    fbcodr New Member

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    This is very good advise from someone who has firsthand experience in this area. The Church ordains and the former pastor sounds out of line to me. But it's not that surprising. I've found Independent Baptist Churches to be very different in how they respond to a SBC pastor. My dad attended two different ones while living in Florida. One was very cold toward me as a SBC pastor, while the other one was very, very friendly. :laugh::thumbsup:
     
    #4 fbcodr, Feb 13, 2010
  5. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    Straight from the Hyles Church Manual:
    One just can't make stuff like this up:laugh:
     
    #5 Jerome, Feb 13, 2010
  6. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    I have one of those in a box somewhere...
     
    #6 Mexdeaf, Feb 13, 2010
  7. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    PHP:
    PASTOR: Larry, do you believe the Articles of Faith adopted by the First 
    Baptist Church of Hammond
     
    LARRY LOSER    : Yes.
     
    PASTOR: If any day would ever come and you would not, would you surrender 
    willingly your ordination papers    ?
    and what would happen if FBC of Hammond was to change their doctrine
    statement?
     
    #7 Salty, Feb 13, 2010
  8. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    Larry Loser would be in a pickle.
     
    #8 Jerome, Feb 13, 2010
  9. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    I am reminded of two toads arguing over who is green enough.
     
    #9 Magnetic Poles, Feb 14, 2010
  10. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    If the former church wants to play that way then I wouldn't want my ordiantion from them in the first place. I just ask my current church to ordain me.
     
    #10 sag38, Feb 14, 2010
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