Question On Ordained Ministry

QUESTION RECEIVED:

My question is what qualifies a person to be ordained as a pastor?

I believe it is in God's eyes not organized religion.  

For 19 years I've studied God's Word extensively, graduated from lay ministry school, successfully completed the Biblical studies program through Liberty University and have studied over 400 books written by Biblical authors.  I'm a devote believer that God's Word is infallible and inerrant.  I reject the allegorical interpretation of scripture.  God's Word is as it's meant to be.  Thank you for telling me your thoughts on this matter.

MY ANSWER:

First if you are in a certain faith tradition or denomination they will have particular ways to ordain and use ministers.  Talk with your pastor.

Here are some orthodox biblical principals concerning ordination and or ministry.

You are not in ministry alone in ministry - if you are you have no ministry.  

In Titus a group of believers appointed elders (overseers/under-shepherds/pastors).

Titus 1:5 (NASB)

“5    For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,”

Humans (the church) are involved but it is through the will of the Holy Spirit that you are called and sent for true gospel ministry.

Acts 20:28 (NASB)

“28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

We get the aspiration  for ministry rightfully from the Holy Spirit.

Below is 1 Timothy 3:1.  Read in your Bible from verse 1 through verse 16 to see the qualifications of a set aside by the church minister for service.

1 Timothy 3:1–16 (NASB)

“1   It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able ...”

You speak of you academic preparation for ministry, which is biblical.  

You have done well.  

Remember, studying the Word is a continual task in life.  

2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB)

“15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

In A practical sense what is you understanding of what your ministry is?

Is it serving as a pastor, teacher, preacher,  evangelist?

 If so see if that matches the church or denomination you are with.

There is an abundance of pastors.

There is also an abundance of need of Christian ministry in this lost world.

You might need to see if you are a candidate for a traditional church.

From experience I can say you cannot force what the Lord has not prepared you for.

But he has prepared you for something.  

Discern His will for a particular ministry.

You might have been prepared to start a Bible study that develops into a stong ministry.

Many churches have started from a Bible study.

Matthew 9:37 (NASB)

“37 Then He said to His disciples, “ The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”

Size does not matter.  

Getting people touched by the gospel is what matters.

Zechariah 4:10 (NASB)

“10 For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel—these are the eyes of the Lord which range to and fro throughout the earth.”

Relax, the Lord is the author of the gospel’s success.  

We are privileged to participate in the work.

He will not measure the size of your ministry if He is in charge.

You will be judged by Him on the faithfulness of presenting the saving gospel.

I am Praying for you.  

Prayer is what you should be immersed in.

Be excited.  

Look for the opportunities that have never been expected.

You might at the right time need to be ordained and maybe not.

Many a great gospel minister was never ordained.

2 Peter 1:10 (NASB)

10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

I will pray this scripture for you.

Ephesians 1:17-19 (NASB)

“17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might”