The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Ordination examining

I am familiar with the process Presbyterian denominations use in examining a man (Minister) for ordination.

How do other denominations do it? Baptists, Methoditsts, Anglicans, Lutherans, etc?

John,

In my particular denomination (one of the Anglican churches outside the Episcopal Church), we have Boards of Examining Chaplains that first interview a man who is considering becoming a clergyman. After hearing his testimony and reviewing his background, the Examining Chaplains then decide whether to approve him as a prospective candidate for ordination. If he is accepted for this, the Examining Chaplains then watch over his preparation as he studies theology, the Bible, homilectics, and liturgics. It is realized that not everyone can afford to go to seminary, so we actually have a reading program that a candidate can study while working, write a series of papers, and work alongside the clergy at his church at the same time.

If the candidate makes satisfactory progress on his readings and other developmental work, he may then be ordained.

I have actually heard of Presbyterians TALKING about doing something like this, but I do not know if they have ever actually done so. I knew one or two conservative PCA-types years ago who argued that the churches should be training men for the ministry rather than depending on seminaries, but again, I never heard if anything came of that.

Theo

You know Theo that sounds like a right smart and biblical idea you have there. I would not hesitate to say that every church should establish this and especially for the elders. Just imagine trained elders. It boggles the mind. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/3stooges.gif" alt="" />

Although, looking at the current condition of most major denominations today, those who are leading them into the abyss by allowing or in some cases even promoting heretical doctrines are "trained" Elders. It would seem that the common man (laity) can't win for losing. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/rolleyes2.gif" alt="" /> How fortunate we are that Christ has sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in each true believer with the promise of guiding them into all truth. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/BigThumbUp.gif" alt="" />

In His grace,

Well, giving the Presbyterians their due, I *think* they would not ordain men as teaching elders without their having seminary training. But I would agree that RULING elders and DEACONS should be trained as well. Our system applies to deacons as well as presbyters.

While I think our training system is bearing fruit now, Pilgrim certainly has a point: that it is TRAINED men in many instances that have led the churches astray so often. It is the responsibility of both clergy and laity to strive to maintain orthodoxy and orthopraxy--but you already knew that. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, though--I am so grateful for our Lord's promise that the gates of hell would never prevail against His church, because otherwise I would despair sometimes about the health of the church.

Theo

The GA in the PCA passed an overture that requires the Ruling Elder to be examined for their Bible knowledge. Previously, they were examined for their knowledge of the WCF and BCO. I am unsure if the overture detailed out the specifics in the examining.

That is a step, but will probably not change much in that the Session is the only court examining the potential Elder. I'm sure the questioning will be quite different from church to church.

How about the Baptists, specifically the SBC?

What is their ordination process?

The person in question is usually questioned by a group of men previously ordained on Biblical and personal matters.

Although, keep in mind, that Baptists are usually self governing in matters and any individual church may have different practices.