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Ordination

Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by Pastorba, May 1, 2003.

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  1. Pastorba

    Pastorba New Member

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    I am in the beginning stages (read I haven't yet started anything!) of my ordination paper in preparation for my ordination council. My question to all you pastors and others who are familiar with the subject is "Where do I start?" I am interested in your stories, web sites, books, examples of ordination papers, etc. that will help me study and prepare for my ordination.

    Any help or guidance you can give would be greatly appreciated.
     
    #1 Pastorba, May 1, 2003
  2. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Be prepared for way more than just a grueling questioning of the ten basic doctrines. Work through each doctrine carefully and I would advise you to write out verses IN FULL for your copy of the paper. You can have summary statements of each doctrine (probably 1/2 page for each, with supporting verses) but I guarantee that nerves = forget.

    Start with testimony, position on "issues" that are hot buttons in the church (divorce, ecclesiastical separation, music, worship), how YOU measure up to the list in I Tim 3:1ff.

    Prepare your wife for her role - testimony or salvation and service, and agreement for the ministry.
     
    #2 Dr. Bob, May 2, 2003
  3. baptistteacher

    baptistteacher Member
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    Well, an "Ordination Paper" is something I have not heard of before. Is it like a Thesis, or more like a statement of faith?

    One place to begin your preparation could be with one of the standard Baptist confessions of faith, and/or your church's Articles of Faith, and work your way to more contemporary issues from there.

    When I was ordained, my pastor gave me a list of the questions to study that he uses for the ordination service. Of course, the council asked a few that weren't on the list.

    The main thing is, know what you believe, and why you believe it.
     
    #3 baptistteacher, May 7, 2003
  4. KPBAP

    KPBAP Member

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    That is also that first I have ever heard of a Baptist church requiring an "ordination paper". Know your biblical doctrines, be prepared for some scenarios as in "what would you do in this particular situation?", Have your testimony ready and be brief, yet specific, be prepared to answer controversial topics....at my ordination, one pastor asked me if I took "drugs" (that was back in the early 80's) Some people ask you really off the wall questions but most are understanding and remember their own drilling and as BaptistTeacher said Know what you believe and WHY you believe it!!!!! [​IMG]
     
    #4 KPBAP, May 7, 2003
  5. mdfenley

    mdfenley Guest

    I have not heard of an "Ordination Paper" either, though it might not be a bad idea. The question and answers session is not as grueling as one might think, but emotions do play a big part of it. If you are not used to being in front of a crowd and in the spot light, you can get nervous and that affects your memory. When I was ordained I have to admit that I was nervous, but having been on stage singing as a bass singer in a quartet for a number of years, I was well prepared for the pressure of being in the spotlight. Get with your Pastor and he should be able to give you the main points that he is going to want to cover in the service and you can study ahead of time and memorize supporting versus. We were not allowed to take notes with us, only our King James Bible. And allways be ready for the oddball questions, as they allways like to see how you work you way out of tight situations. Good Luck and God Bless.
     
    #5 mdfenley, May 13, 2003
  6. Pastorba

    Pastorba New Member

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    Thank you all for your responses. I guess I chose the wrong words when I called it an "Ordination Paper." What I am referring to is a paper that really is a doctrinal statement that includes my personal philosophy of ministry and my call to the ministry.

    Maybe that will clarify what I am asking.

    Again, thank you all for your responses.
     
    #6 Pastorba, May 13, 2003
  7. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    "Ordination Paper" should be a detailed doctrinal statement for the council to read and then quiz you on. Anything less and what would the council do about knowing what you believe?

    Problem is many churches are ordaining men who are NOT knowledgeable in the Word. We need well versed men, deep in doctrine, to answer the skeptics and defend our faith. Just to be a good guy and busy in the church or even a gifted speaker is FAR SHORT of what a pastor must do.

    Withstanding, confronting, rebuking, take a knowledge of the Word that is from deep study.
     
    #7 Dr. Bob, May 14, 2003
  8. Haruo

    Haruo New Member

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    I've been a party to three ordination councils, each of which involved in part the examination of an ordination paper. Surely if an ordination paper is part of what your church and/or association requires of you, Pastorba, they must have given you some sort of guidance as to what to put in it. (Mustn't they?)

    My only advice is, out of consideration for the slower readers and/or less well educated among your critiquers, please get the paper to them in advance. In two of the three councils I've been in on, the paper was provided for the first time at the council, which makes it difficult for an average reader to come up with the questions he or she would raise given time to think. If the paper is worth the time and effort to prepare, surely it's worth giving its readers some time to do their job competently.

    Haruo
    Not a pastor, Gott sei dank!
     
    #8 Haruo, May 14, 2003
  9. Jamal5000

    Jamal5000 New Member

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    Dr. Bob,

    Here's idea. I've noticed that you have a pretty thorough handle on the whole idea of ordination.

    Is there anyway that you can give prospective ministers (like myself) a nice formal step-by-step overview of the whole process from your perspective.

    I must admit that that with so many different ways to go about getting ordained, I get quite confused.

    Thanks for everything. [​IMG]
     
    #9 Jamal5000, May 14, 2003
  10. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Thanks for asking. I taught Pastoral Theology (2-semester class for senior pastoral majors in Bible College) and have lots of material on ordination.

    I will cull through it and work on it as a new topic here on the Pastoral Ministries Forum.
     
    #10 Dr. Bob, May 15, 2003
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