Ordain - Ordained Part-1
Now that You're Ordained. . .
What does that actually mean?
[TOP: Oldest Known Inscription of "I.C.T.H.U.S" from Ephesus 1st Century AD] by NEWTONSTEIN at MINISTERS-BEST-FRIEND.com Welcome to "Ministers-Best-Friend.com" "Go ye into ALL THE WORLD ... teaching ALL THINGS, whatsoever I have taught you!" Worth Living For? Worth Fighting For? Worth Dying For? "YES!"
Our Doctoral Program Ranked No-1 by Google) Put the following in Google Search and see for yourself Free Ordination and Honorary Degrees
  
Search Web's Most Comprehensive Christian Site All-Things-Bible, Church, History, Leadership, Psychology, Politics, Science, Health, Sermon Resources, "Starters", Illustrations & Stories, Humor, Quotes, Sermons (Audio & Print) From Ancient Rome & Greece & Jewish History to TOP-TEN Church News Headlines!
Please visit ‘Index' before leaving. See our TOP-TEN-SERIES INDEX: Top-Ten Series, Most Recent Webpages, **Urgent!, etc,  Our Basic Categories Updated Continually [ GENERAL HOME PAGE ] [ MINISTERS HOME PAGE ] [ ANTI-AGING & HEALTH ] [ BIBLE & KJV? ] [ CATHOLICS ] [ CHURCH HISTORY ] [ ECONOMICS & WEALTH ] [ JEWISH ] [ TALK-RADIO-CONSERVATIVES ] [ REPUBLICANS ] [ PRO-LIFE ] [ PRESIDENTS ] [ SPEAKERS-&-SERMON RESOURCES ] [ INDEX PAGE ]
  Seen the "TOP-TEN" News Stories Today? For News Important to Conservatives & Christians that Modern Media often ignore! "TOP-TEN" NEWS NOTES for Conservatives & Christians
Christian Minister Ordination
A Beginning Study According to Scripture
What does it Mean? For Whom? By Whom?
Now that you are "Legally", "Officially", and "Fully Ordained". . . you really need to know - what that means! "WHY?" Because as you begin to share your new standing in the "Body of Christ" of being an "Ordained Minister" with family and friends - even some of your closest Christian friends may begin to "question" you, and maybe even "scoff" just a little - and some . . . maybe more than a little! [It depends on what kind of Brothers-in-Law you have . . .] At worst, you will be mocked and ridiculed. At best, probably someone you love and trust - and sometimes it's even your spouse (If this is your case send me a "private email": see "Contact Us" on NavBar) - will not understand, and will have some questions. Though you come from the best of "traditional Christian families", know that some of your closest Christian friends and family members will likely have questions: so it is in your best interest . . . . to understand this teaching well "WHY" will they question you?
Because, it is very possible that your current Pastor (or theirs), or a Minister some of your family and friends know, had a long, hard road to travel - for years - before becoming "Legally and Fully Ordained."
> > Many took 4-full years of Bible College to become "Fully Ordained" . . .
> > Many more had to take an additional 3-years of Seminary - 7-long years - to reach Full-Legal Ordination . . .
> > For multitudes of others - if they answered the "Call to Ministry" at a later age - perhaps after being married with children, a home, a business and financial responsibilities, it has taken many such older men 15 to 25 long years, doing their studies part-time, to reach Full-Legal Ordination . . .
Please think for a moment about what you just read. The person who seeks Ordination later in life is often a dedicated Christian layman, often a Church Elder, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study leader, a Youth or Children's worker; Say they respond to a "Higher Calling" about age 35: Instead of their Church and/or Denomination devoting them to intense mentoring for a short period of time and "turning them loose" to pursue their calling, "trusting" the Holy Spirit who called them to "guide them" - and NOT subjecting them to seven full-time years of college to reach "full-Ordination."
So here we have a mature, proven, well-grounded Christian - often an experience leader who has already been serving and/or leading for 10 - 15 years responding to "Christ's Higher Calling". Instead of helping them launch according to their call immediately, we put this 4-7 year roadblock in their way.
Because their are married, working, with children, bills and responsibilities, this 7-years full-time studies becomes 25-25 years part time and many are not done into their 70's and 80's. In these cases they live and die, perhaps preaching for 40 years without ever being "Ordained" for the benefit of credentials in their community. > > (I think my own father was about 60 when he was finally "Fully-Ordained", and finally allowed to serve "communion to the flock he had pastored" for 20 years - most of whom he had led to the Lord! > > He could get them saved . . . > > He could teach them God's Word . . . > > He could pray with them as they entered the surgical room for open heart surgery . . . > > He could counsel them when a child, spouse, or parent died, when a spouse divorced them to marry their friend, when a good Christian child came home drunk, was picked-up-for drugs, or a daughter pregnant: underage, and not married. . . > > > But he WAS NOT QUALIFIED to serve them Communion
Back to our average "called-later-in-life-layperson" with marriage, children, job, home, bills, and Church responsibilities, etc., who has just been given 7-years full-time studies or 15-25 years part-time to "prove he is worthy of the call he has professed.
[NOTE: we wont go into the burden of financial costs of 7-years of schooling . . . which is an incredible blow to the family budget . . . but you can imagine . . .]
So because our "Candidate for Ordination" is a good and faithful Christian in subjection to his local Church and/or denominational leaders, he does as he is instructed. Because he CANNOT deny the pull of the Spirit of God upon his heart, he MUST go forward. Following are the average response and results for such persons: > > Every spare minute now is devoted to "completing the studies" . . . got to get them done, got to get Ordained, got to get on with my calling; > > I am already starting 15-25 years late, the nation is a mess, Churches are decaying and dying, the world needs to hear the Gospel, I must press on; > > Every evening must be given to my studies for Ordination - spouse, children, family, friends, current ministry - all take back-seat; > > Every week-end must be given to my studies for Ordination - spouse, children, family, friends, current ministry - all take back-seat; > > Every holiday must be given to my studies for Ordination - spouse, children, family, friends, current ministry - all take back-seat; > > Every vacation if not given completely, must be built around my studies for Ordination - spouse, children, family, friends, current ministry - all take back-seat; > > All family spending must be curtailed drastically to make money for my studies for Ordination - with my spouse and children's needs taking back-seat; > > All home spending must be curtailed drastically to make money for my studies for Ordination - with my spouse and children's needs taking back-seat; > > All business spending must be curtailed drastically to make money for my studies for Ordination - with my spouse and children's needs taking back-seat; > > All local Church, extended family, and/or community spending must be curtailed drastically to make money for my studies for Ordination - with my spouse and children's needs taking back-seat; > > All personal spending - from car's to clothes to comfort - must be curtailed drastically to make money for my studies for Ordination - with my spouse and children's needs taking back-seat;
AFTER 10-YEARS PURSUING ORDINATION: The "Candidate for Ordination" is worn to a frazzle and may never recover. The attitude is often affected, the energy waning, the marriage - if still together - just a "functioning partnership" having had no time for the tender closeness of marriage all these years.
[NOTE ASIDE: Even the 10 years of physical aging takes a great toll from 35-45. It may shock you to learn but the facts are clear: "there are no great Churches built by men who start in their mid 40's" so says Dr. Elmer Towns, Professor at Liberty University and Church Growth Expert - one of the top 3-4 of the last 30 years.The greatest growing ministries a are started by men in their late 20's or 30's. It's not that the mid-40's men lose their desire or zeal or love for God, . . . but they do lose "physical energy" just like the athletes you see in sports: by mid 40's, 99% are done: so it is with ministry. If you doubt this - and I did when first exposed to it - check it out. It is fact!] Back to our "Average Later-in-Life-Ministerial Candidate": The children are now grown and probably gone, having grown completely apart from the "always-busy-with-Ordination-studies-father", never really knowing the dad who conceived them, and raised them, so lovingly in their early years. The local Church Ministry that the Candidate for Ordination used to do so well and so faithfully, has suffered, because of having no time to invest in the current ministry. All friend and family relationships have suffered as well. The finances are a disaster, if their ever were a "retirement fund" it may have been used toward the Ordination, [NOTE: My father withdrew every penny of his retirement at age 41 . . . to pursue Ministerial Ordination with great gusto . . . need I mention that on a Ministers Pay . . . not a penny was ever replaced?] The house is often in need of many repairs, perhaps even having gone down in value, the car may no longer road-worthy of a vacation and looking its age, the suits and clothes are worn and looking worse-for-wear, and the Ministerial Candidate has truly developed that "Poor Preacher Look" - with an attitude to match. Mid-life crisis - basically the rethinking life's purposes, values and goals - begins to take it's toll. Aging is raging full speed. The Ministerial candidate has "burnt the midnight oil" and what is their to show for it? The children are often grown, married and gone, and you hardly know the "adult child!" Marriage has almost always suffered - and if the wife has had to work extra to provide for "Ordination Studies" the "root-of-bitterness" may be deep and unremovable. Finances have almost always suffered greatly, health and energy have usually suffered, all parts of life seem to lessened in quality and even the personal relationship to God suffers . . . as studying Denominational history, English grammar and Robert's Rules of Orders do not automatically make for great spiritually growth. Personal Bible Study, prayer time and ministry time have waned . . . and the joy and zeal of Christ that first caused them to respond to a "Higher Calling" may no longer exist! [First love can be Lost, Ephesians! Rev 2] The really bad thing is, the suffering Ministerial Candidate is ONLY HALF DONE ! ! ! We ask you to consider the basic identity of our Ministry: "Ministers-Best-Friend.com" We have lived the life. My Granddad started and terrific local Church during the Depression on his front porch . . . but was never "Fully Ordained" and died in the struggle, defeated by the process. I watched my father answer the call at age 40 and empty his retirement at age 41. By the time he was Ordained, twenty-some years later, all of the spiritual zeal and fire that led him into ministry - was now gone, much of it destroyed by the nearly impossible Ordination Process. We have watched hundreds of "Ministerial Candidates" over the decades - DESTROYED SPIRITUALLY and/or FINANCIALLY - by the false and extremely non-Scriptural 7-years full-time, or 15-25 years part-time Ministry Ordination process. NOTE: In ministry, taking all of this schooling later in life usually offers no way to recoup the finances. It isn't like going back to school later in life to be a nurse, or get a Masters in come chosen field. Ministry Degrees are almost "dead-end" street. Sadly, many NEVER reach "Full and Legal Ordination" - struggle with the futility of it all for years, and simply fall by the wayside, often deciding they must have been wrong about ever having heard the voice of God to begin with . . . and simply withdraw from the "Religious world in shame of a lose and quitter" - and these were among GOD'S BEST SERVANTS! Therefore . . . our goal is twofold: > > First and Foremost: Ordain Ministers of all ages the Scriptural way: just like Jesus and Paul did and commanded to be done (we'll cover that in the next part) > > Second but Important: Avoid the carnage we have just written of where so many of God's best and finest dedicated servants who get "Off-Track" seeking a "false-Ordination" whereby unscriptural Denominations seek to control them for life by this process, and become "spiritual abortions"
AND HERE YOU ARE "LEGALLY FULLY ORDAINED IN ONE DAY! With so many older Christians, and all Ministers, knowing some gruesome stories, some "literal nightmares" of those who took long torturous routes to get "Legally", "Officially", and "Fully Ordained" . . . and here you are . . . the "Kid Brother" the "Brother-in-Law", the "Son-in-Law", the guy without a Bible School, or Seminary Degree . . . . . . "Legally", "Officially", and "Fully Ordained" in one day . . . without Seminary, . . . without Bible school . . . and maybe y=without any college - and possibly - and maybe even never finished high school!
Do you see why sometimes, family and friends have a hard time with your "Full Ordination" - especially when they find out it was "online"?
Sometimes, family and/or friends can also deeply resent your new "tax advantages" and increased income, and you must know that most people reported to the IRS in the USA - are by "family and friends." This bears repeating: most people reported to the IRS in the USA - are by "family and friends."
[NOTE! All that you do to restructure your taxes and finances as an Ordained Minister will be 100% lawful and proper - and well within your "Rights as a Minister of the Gospel" - but that still doesn't make going through an IRS audit pleasant, just because you were turned in by a jealous family member!!!]
Here Is A Sad Truth!
We always hope our family will be for us, and we think in advance that they will be for us, but here is what Jesus said about it: Mat 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, . . . Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Mat 10:40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, . . . Christ also said:Be wise as a serpent, be as harmless as a dove. This is a bit of a strange command coming from Jesus, commanding us as His disciples to be as "wise-as-a-serpent", as "shrewd", as "astute", as ... "What all does this mean? > > Are not serpents deadly? > > Are not serpents to be feared? > > Are not serpents difficult to defend against? > > Are not serpents 'cold blooded'? > > Are not serpents aggressive and attacking? > > (This is for another Scripture study, but think about it!) DOES YOUR ORDINATION MEAN NEW RESPECT? It can, and for sure it will with many strangers, and even with most of your family and friends . . . in time . . . but please consider human nature and how it works.
The point is that almost everyone who-steps up to a new level of Commitment with Jesus Christ, almost automatically expects and desires a "new respect, support and admiration from family and friends" - but a very, very few get it. (If your happen to be one of them be very thankful - and do not take it for granted!)
Remember, the jealousy between Cain and Abel, where Abel the most spiritually devoted family member, his brother Cain killing him in spiritual jealousy?
Remember Joseph - the one "called" - and his brothers (not called) their jealousy and them selling him into slavery? Amazingly, even though Joseph was a "favorite son of his aged father" even his father rejected Joseph's spiritual vision for the future and rebuked him for it, basically telling Joseph "that will never happen!"
Remember that the bother and sister of Moses (the "called" family member) how they were jealous - Aaron and Miriam and all the trouble they caused Moses?
Remember David - the "called" one - younger, inexperienced, and uneducated, who volunteered to risk his life to fight Goliath,and how that David's older brother (who should have been so proud and encouraging) scoffed and criticized and insulted David at his wanting to fight Goliath.
Remember that God had to get Abraham away from his father and his father's house. Even the brothers and sisters of Jesus scoffed Him and questioned Him in John 7.
You may have the greatest Christian family in the world - but you will likely get some questions, maybe even from your parents, and perhaps even your Pastor will question your "sudden Ordination."
THE JESUS METHOD OF DEALING WITH CRITICS
Learn, or remember, that Jesus made great use of what is know in the modern world as the "Socratic Method": that of teaching by questioning. Jesus even took this to a new level by answering a question with a question When Jesus was asked "By what authority do you do these things?" - Jesus answered their question by asking them a question that He knew they could not (or would not) answer!
So Jesus asked "And what about John the Baptist. What was his source of authority, from God or man?" The Scripture gives us their "debated-answers-among-themselves, what they finally told Christ and why they were afraid to answer "God" or "man" - so they "politically" said to Jesus: "we cannot tell."
WE NEED TO LEARN FROM JESUS [A] Don't be offended when your "Authority" is questioned, as even the Authority of Jesus was questioned. [B] Don't be trapped into believing you always must "explain yourself." [This is a wise principle to teach your children, grandchildren, church members, etc.
The world, when questioned, only seems to allow "truth" or "lying". This is great error. Jesus certainly forbids lying, but He does allow for answers of "truth" and "no answer". NOT everything about you is the business of "your enemy", "your neighbor", or even "you're family!" The Apostle Paul said we will answer to, and thus rise or fall before our own Master: not our critics! [Romans 14] **If you answer people sincerely, that you do not know all that God has in your future (which we all truthfully can say!) but that you do want to grow in the Lord, and you are willing to do and be all that He wants you to do and be, . . . and ask for their prayers . . . this should silence some of them.
[C] Don't be trapped into believing you must answer "yes or no to a particularly pointed question." You can answer somewhat as follows (always with a smile if you can): > > "I will forgive you for asking that personal question!"
> > Or, "I'll forgive you for asking, if you forgive me for not answering!"
> > Or, "If you can explain to me just why it is you need to know that; and if you can convince me that this is your business, I'll attempt to answer for you."
[D] Jesus even gave a further option: "Supreme Silence!" Complete and perfect silence. No response or even acknowledgment of their question! That is bold!
[E] Jesus even devised a very powerful weapon against the "stone-throwers" and the "naysayers": He wrote something on the ground. [It is believed by some that He wrote the name of some one each of them were involved with, causing them instant withdrawal.] > > For example: I had a very negative "stone-thrower" who was public questioning a "Deacon up for first-time election" digging up things from decades ago, long before the person had become a Christian. I happen to know that the "stone-thrower" was having an inappropriate relationship with an employee. Right during the meeting that I was officiating, I scribbled the 'first name of the woman on a scrap of paper along with the words "please pray carefully", walked to the brother and handed it to him while still speaking and addressing other issues. He never spoke another word! > > I have used some version of that many times - even in Public school Board meetings, and though it must be done with caution, it always worked wonderful. ONE OF CHRIST'S MOST IMPORTANT MINISTRY TOOLS To ask your naysayers questions that they can't answer - just like Jesus asked His critics, you MUST know about modern Ordination. (You also need to understand Ordination to Ministry well, for your own understanding and responsibility before Christ (and for some great financial reasons) - exactly what it means. )
SCRIPTURAL FACTS OF ORDINATION FACT: All of this modern denominational method of taking 4-7 years to be Ordained is 100% non-Scriptural, nonsense! There is not a single example or teaching on it whatsoever! FACT: As far as youthfulness is concerned, Christ Himself Ordained the Disciple John, whom most in history believe was from age 16-19 at the time.
FACT: In the Bible those whom were Ordained, were Ordained in a one-day situation as with Christ and His disciples,
FACT: Being Ordained in Scripture was NEVER linked to formal education to any degree, as it is in this modern, lukewarm, back-slidden Church age.
FACT: Truth is, Scripture makes sure to tells the greatest of Christ's "hand-picked" disciples were 'Unlearned and ignorant men." (Acts 2) Since Christ chose no educated men for His disciples, one could say this DISQUALIFIES from being a "called disciple" - unless struck by a "blinding light" as was the educated Paul (Acts 9).
FACT: No one in the Bible was Ordained by a "denomination" operating under the authority of the state.
FACT: Though Jesus said He was baptized because it was good for Him to "fulfill all righteousness, neither Jesus nor Paul were "formally Ordained" , yet they both ordained others.
FACT: Most in Scripture were "Ordained" by a single person: Christ Ordained His Disciples, Paul said as "I Ordain in every Church . . . I Cor 7:17"
FACT: Paul Ordained by himself and he told Titus, a young Gentile "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and Ordain elders in every city, as 'I' had appointed 'thee':
FACT: Ordination is NOT something one begins and "works toward for many years", with being allowed to perform ever-more sacraments until finally - after many years - the Fully Ordained is "allowed" to serve Communion.
FACT: This is pure heresy and the truth is that ANY Christian and every Christian - including the newest of Converts and partake of and offer communion to family and friends
FACT: there is no "Oath of Ordination" as many take denominations and human organizations take, somewhat copied after a "presidential-type oath of office"
FACT: The sad truth is, that many young men who are "converted", "called" and are eager and energetic to begin ministry . . . but are so put-off, post-poned, instantly diminished, and treated as "third-class Christians", with such massive stumbling-blocks put in their way (often with 4-7 years of expensive formal education required - that take some adults 10-25 years to complete part-time as mature adults);
Because many of them are mature adults when answering "Christ's Call", and not being allowed to minister as Christ has called them, and are even politely mocked and denigrated by their "Superintendents" (not a Scriptural title) who have all of the "Seminary & Ph.D. Degrees", . . .
. . . making sure the congregation of the "newly called Minister" knows they have "No Education", etc., etc., . . . this completely discounts the Power of the Holy Spirit on a dedicated heart!
The truth is, a lay person of any age, whose heart is on fire for God and is filled with the Spirit of God, may be used far more, than a proud, arrogant "superintendent" with fancy education . . . but whose heart is cold, and whose fire is but a spark!!!
Many of these called after they have a family, etc., have to go on and earn a living, leaving ministry behind: "ABORTED" by the denominational powers that be, by being told they were NOT qualified, NOT ready, and were NOT allowed to minister as they feel in their heart that they should do - knocking them out of earning a living by the Gospel as Christ and Paul taught!
FACT: The sad truth is, most modern Denominations and organizations "Ordains" ministers to an "Organization" such as to be "Baptist Ministers", "Methodist Ministers", "Presbyterian Ministers", "United Pentecostal Ministers", etc. In other words, most modern groups Ordain Ministers to DENOMINATIONS and/or Ministerial Associations - not to Ministry of and for Lord Jesus the Christ!
Conclusion of "What Is Ordination Part-I"
(You may want to review this a couple of times:) > > Memorize some of the "non-Scriptural" issues (heresies) of modern denominational ordination.
> > Memorize some of the facts of Scriptural Ordination
> > Memorize some answers that "critics, stone-throwers and fault-finders" may need to hear.
In "What is Ordination?" Part-II,
In Part-II we will look at the complexity of Ordination, and all 24 Scriptures in the New Testament where it is used. **To go directly to Ordained Minister: "What does that Mean 'PART-'?" You'll be surprised!" Ordained Minister: "What does that Mean 'PART-2'?"
In 'TWO MINUTES' - Know if you have Eternal Life . . . or Not!
FROM: Ordain - Ordained: TO: TOP-TEN-News-Notes & Nuggets for Conservatives & Christians
FROM: Ordain - Ordained: TO: TOP-TEN SERIES The Best of 30 Categories, 10 Articles Each &
FROM: Ordain - Ordained: TO: MAIN INDEX Top Ten Series, Most Recent Pages Added, *Urgent!
FROM: Ordain - Ordained: TO GENERAL HOME PAGE FROM: Ordain - Ordained: TO MINISTERS HOME PAGE
Thank You Christian Friends For visiting us at Ministers-Best-Friend.com Come often and Will You Please tell a Friend? For personal needs & prayer requests, please email David & Marlene at UnitedFORChristUSA@gmail.com. We will reply!
  Most Important Questions You'll Ever Answer? Do you understand "Eternal Life as God's FREE GIFT" - Unearned and Undeserved? "Eternal Life as God's FREE GIFT!" Do you know FOR SURE that you have Eternal Life: Here & Now? "Eternal Life: Here & Now FOR SURE!" In 'VERY FEW MINUTES' ... you can Know for Certain if you're saved ... or not! In 'TWO MINUTES' - Know if you're Saved or not!
Search Web's Most Comprehensive Christian Site All-Things-Bible, Church, History, Leadership, Psychology, Politics, Science, Health, Sermon Resources, "Starters", Illustrations & Stories, Humor, Quotes, Sermons (Audio & Print) From Ancient Rome, Greece & Jewish History to Latest News Headlines!
 
Please visit ‘Index' before leaving. See our TOP-TEN-SERIES INDEX: Top-Ten Series, Most Recent Webpages, **Urgent!, etc, Basic Categories Updated Continually [ GENERAL HOME PAGE ] [ MINISTERS HOME PAGE ][ ANTI-AGING & HEALTH ] [ BIBLE & KJV? ] [ CATHOLICS ] [ CHURCH HISTORY ] [ ECONOMICS & WEALTH ] [ JEWISH ] [ TALK-RADIO-CONSERVATIVES ] [ REPUBLICANS ] [ RUSH LIMBAUGH 'BLOG & FORUM' ] [ G.W. BUSH ] [ SARAH PALIN 'BLOG & FORUM' ] [ PRO-LIFE ] [ PRESIDENTS ] [ INDEX PAGE ]
  NEED TO SEE THE "TOP NEWS STORIES" BEFORE LEAVING? Consider making our TOP-TEN Daily Stories your FIRST NEWS of Your Day! For News Important to Conservatives & Christians (that modern media often ignore!) "TOP-TEN" NEWS NOTES for Conservatives & Christians 
Could you share your State of Salvation that we may better serve our readers? At this time, I do not believe Jesus is the Saviour! I do believe Jesus is the Saviour and I know I have eternal Life! I do not believe it is possible to 'Know in this life' if one has Eternal Life.
A Christian Family in Every House, in YOUR Community, in YOUR Lifetime! Worth Giving For? Worth Trying For? Worth Working For? Please name "Ministers-Best-Friend.com" aloud in Prayer Daily? PLEASE?
 Christian Top 1000

|