The focus of this category is on the process by which a person is consecrated to the ministry, or to ecclesiastical office, whether the process is known as ordination, consecration, holy orders, or something else.
The office, itself, will vary according to the religion, denomination or ecclesiastical body. Whatever the religious office or order, websites that concentrate on the manner in which a person ascends to the position are appropriate for this category, or its subcategories.
The tradition of an ordained clergy may have begun with the orders of monks and nuns in Buddhism. Today, there are three lineages into which one can be ordained according to the teachings of Buddhism. These are the Dharmaguptaka, Mulasarvastivadin, and the Theravada lineages. The ordination procedures are set forth in the Vinaya and Patimokkha or Pratimoksha scriptures.
In the Christian churches, the orders of bishops, presbyters, and deacons form the counterpart of three-fold ministry of the high priest, priest, and Levite defined in the Old Testament.
Ordination is one of seven sacraments in the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches. Apostolic succession, the belief that ordained clergy is ordained by bishops who were ordained by other bishops, leading back to those who were ordained by one of the Twelve Apostles is an essential component. Only someone who is ordained to the priesthood is eligible to administer certain sacraments.
The details differ somewhat, according to the various denominations, and changes have been made to the ordination procedures over the years.
In the Christian churches, the orders of monks and nuns are religious orders, who may or may not be ordained.
Cardinals are a collegiate body, and not a fourth order beyond that of a bishop. Most cardinals are bishops, although some are priests.
Offices such as pope, patriarch, archbishop, archpriest, archimandrite, and archdeacon are ranks given to ordained people rather than separate orders.
In the Church of England, the diocesan priest who oversees the process of discernment, selection, and training of candidates is known as the Diocesan Director of Ordinands.
Ordination to pastoral offices in the Protestant churches is a rite by which the churches recognize that a person has been called to the ministry by God, and an acknowledgment that the individual has gone through a period of discernment or training related to the call, and authorizes the person to take on the office.
In most, but not all, of the Protestant churches, a person needs to be ordained in order to preside over the sacraments, which usually includes baptism and communion, and may include officiating at weddings and funerals. Ordination is commonly required in order to be installed as a pastor or minister of the church, as well.
Some Protestant churches have other ordained offices as well. Most Presbyterian and Reformed churches ordain pastors, elders, and deacons, although only the office of pastor is considered to be clergy. Methodists also ordain deacons. Other Protestant churches, such as most of the Baptist churches, include the positions of deacon and elder, but they are not ordained offices.
Some Protestant denominations have an office of bishop, but it is not a separate ordination or order. However, some Protestant churches also claim apostolic succession.
Requirements for ordination differ from one Protestant denomination to another. Most require graduation from a Bible College, seminary, or theological graduate school, while others require less formal training for the ministry, and there are some that have no formal training requirements whatsoever. In the Amish churches, for example, ministers are elected from the membership, and receive no training for the ministry at all, nor are they allowed to prepare their sermons in advance.
The Jehovah's Witnesses consider all baptized members to be ordained ministers. Ecclesiastical privilege is asserted only for its appointed elders, but any baptized male may officiate at baptisms, weddings, and funerals.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints performs a rite of ordination to bestow either the Aaronic or Melchizedek priesthood upon male members who are deemed worthy.
In Judaism today, rabbinical ordination refers to the ordination of a rabbi or hazzan. A rabbi is considered a teacher of the Torah, and not a priest.
Muslims do not formally ordain religious leaders, nor does Islam have a formal and separated clergy.
In Wicca, a member's initiation is considered to be an ordination as priest or priestess.
For Unitarian Universalists, ordination is focused on such factors as possessing a Masters of Divinity degree from an accredited institution, rather than on doctrinal adherence.
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Recommended Resources
Acts 29: Biblical Qualifications of a Pastor
The seventeen qualifications of a pastor, as stated in the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 29, as well as in Titus 1:6 and 1 Timothy 3:2 are that a pastor must be devoted to one wife, able to manage his own family, a faithful steward, humble, gentle, sober, peaceful, a man of financial integrity, hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, able to teach, spiritually mature, respectable, and an example to his flock. These qualifications have been the same for nearly 2,000 years.
https://www.acts29.com/biblical-qualifications-of-a-pastor/
Assemblies of God: Ordination: the Recognition of a Call to Ministry
Adopted by the General Presbytery in session on August 4, 2020, The AG's position paper is published here. It includes an introduction to the ministry, discusses Jesus as the model for ministry, the Church as the extension of Christ's ministry, the role of the Holy Spirit in ministry, spiritual gifts for ministry, ministry belonging to the entire Church, and ordination as recognition of spiritual leadership. The ordination of ministry leaders and the meaning and value of ordination are included.
https://ag.org/Beliefs/Position-Papers/Ordination---The-Recognition-of-a-Call-to-Ministry
Church of England, The: Preparing for Ordained Ministry
The official website of the Church of England discusses the selection, training, financial support, and life in ministry within the Church of England, including the steps toward being ordained, a guide to the criteria for seeking ordination, information, and references for theological training and available courses. Other resources include information on exploring lay ministry, a mentor directory, the ministry experience scheme, and a form for contacting the diocese.
https://www.churchofengland.org/life-events/vocations/preparing-ordained-ministry
In the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, the Ministerial Vocation Committee is charged with ministers' initial and ongoing education and training and the pastoral care of ministers and their families. The MVC resources churches and pastors in the preparation, calling, development, and maintenance of ministers, and oversees the ordination testing process. The Procedure Manual for Ministerial and Candidates Committees brings together Scriptural principles and Church policies together.
https://epc.org/ministerialvocation/
How to Become: How to Become a Pastor
General instructions, tips, and requirements for becoming a pastor of a Protestant or non-denominational church are set forth here, including the kinds of training that are usually required, certification or licensure requirements that may or may not be necessary, the length of time that it is likely to take, job prospects, long-term career prospects, earning potential, and tips on finding additional information and resources on the subject. Links to other resources are available.
https://www.howtobecome.com/how-to-become-a-pastor
My-Pastor: How to Become a Pastor
The pastoral resource site offers a guide to becoming a pastor. Defining the steps to becoming a pastor as being called by God, training in the ministry, the ordination process by the home congregation, and being called to serve as the pastor of a church. Other informational pages include pastoral job descriptions and data such as typical salaries, tax requirements, and surviving a pastoral search. Some of the reasons to (or not to) become a pastor are explored.
https://www.my-pastor.com/become-a-pastor.html
NACCC: Ordinations and Installations
The National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, an association of about four hundred churches in the Congregational tradition in thirty-nine U.S. states, presents its policies and procedures for being licensed or ordained in the NACCC. Information about the Congregational basis and practice of ordination may be downloaded from the site, along with an easy-to-follow, step-by-step process for churches to follow, and a document on ordination and installation.
https://www.naccc.org/ordinations-and-installations/
RCA: Order for Ordination to the Office of Minister of Word and Sacrament
In the Reformed Church in America (RCA), the Book of Church Order directs the classis to appoint a time for the ordination service of candidates to the ministry and to conduct the service with proper solemnity and according to a specific order, which is cited here, along with a brief sermon suitable to the occasion, the presentation, and the ordination prayer, and the response. The Liturgy of the Reformed Church in America may be ordered through the site.
https://www.rca.org/liturgy/order-for-ordination-to-the-office-of-minister-of-word-and-sacrament/
What is Ordination? What Does the Bible Say About Ordination?
Compelling Truth is a network site of Got Questions Ministries, designed to present the truth of the Christian faith in a compelling, relevant, and practical way. This page discusses what the Scriptures say about ordination, comparing what churches do with what the Bible says. Links to Scripture references and links to related pages on the same site are provided, including the Biblical requirements for elders and deacons and what the Bible says about the role of senior pastor.
https://www.compellingtruth.org/ordination.html
The US-based organization works to ordain women as deacons, priests, and bishops in the Catholic Church. Founded in 1975, the organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Its formation, an overview of its organizational structure, leadership, and contacts are posted. Membership information, job opportunities, and information and links to affiliate organizations are featured, and an activist toolkit, an inclusive lectionary, scholarship information, and press statements are provided.
https://www.womensordination.org/
WOW is an ecumenical network of groups formed to encourage the admission of women to all ordained ministries of the Roman Catholic Church. Founded in Austria in 1996, the network includes organizations in Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, Malta, Poland, Western Europe, and the United States. The case for the ordination of women is stated on the site, along with a calendar of events, media resources, discussion guides, informational articles, and contacts.
http://womensordinationcampaign.org/
