The process of becoming ordained as a pastor can be a long one. It involves several steps, but it is worth it in the end. If you have decided that you would like to become a pastor, there are some things you will need to do first. The following steps will help you get started with this process:
-Find out what type of license or certificate is required by your state. There are many different types of licenses and certificates that can be obtained through various organizations; however, they all serve the same purpose which is to verify your status as an ordained minister or other religious leader within their respective religious organization(s).
-Find out if your state requires ordination. This is important because not all states require ordination to become a pastor; therefore, this step is crucial in determining whether or not you need to obtain an ordination license or certificate.
How To Be Ordained As A Pastor
Licensing
Licensing is a function of the local church and is for a specific ministry setting and calling. The person desiring licensing should submit the following to their Church Board (or the congregation if the church so desires):
- 1 page statement highlighting their conversion and call to ministry
- 4-8 page self-written doctrinal statement of major doctrines (check with your Converge District Ordination Handbook for key areas to cover)
The approval for licensing must be part of the Church Board’s official minutes. A copy of the minutes should be maintained by the Church and a copy retained by the person being licensed. There are two types of licensing:
- For the ministry while affiliated with the licensing church. The person’s license is no longer valid after leaving the licensing church.
- For the Gospel ministry from the date of licensing forward.
For the Gospel ministry from the date of licensing forward” is selected, the church would have the right to revoke the license in the event it should become necessary due to such issues as heretical teaching or moral failure. If that step is taken, a letter stating the license has been revoked must be sent to the licensee. Christian bookstores have these two types of certificates of license available. **Within two years of being licensed or ordained, the pastor may file for exemption from Social Security if his beliefs are consistent with the exemption statement. A tax advisor should be consulted and this should be entered into only with great seriousness.
Ordination
The ordination process begins and ends with a leader called by God to the Gospel ministry. It also involves the recognition of this call by the local church where the leader is serving. But the Converge family of churches and church leaders are also involved in advising the church and in serving the ordination candidate. Thus, the ordination process is detailed below for Converge churches and leaders:
From the Perspective of the Candidate and Church:
- The formal church vote informs the Converge regional leadership of its desire to ordain a candidate.
- The Converge regional staff sends the handbook on ordination to the candidate and the ordaining church.
- The Candidate completes the reservation form and mails it to the Converge regional office.
- The Converge region mails a written confirmation of reservation to the candidate.
- At least one month before the interview, the candidate mails six copies of his doctrinal statement to the Converge regional staff. E-mail is acceptable.
- The Converge region mails a copy of the doctrinal statement to the current members of Ordination Guidance Committee in the appropriate area.
- The Ordination Guidance Committee interviews the candidate and writes a letter of advice to the ordaining church with a copy to the candidate.
- If the advice is to postpone convening an ordination council, the candidate may reserve another interview during the next scheduled meeting of the Ordination Guidance Committee.
- Upon receipt of letter of advice to convene a council, the ordaining church schedules the council and invites delegates from sister churches.
- The Council meets and recommends that the church proceed or not proceed with ordination.
From the Perspective of the Ordination Guidance Committee:
- A church requests help with ordination.
- The Converge region leadership responds with the attached handbook.
- The candidate reserves an interview time.
- The Converge region confirms the interview time.
- The candidate prepares and sends doctrinal statement.
- The Converge region distributes doctrinal statement.
- The Ordination Guidance Committee reviews, interviews and advises.
- The church acts to ordain proposed candidate.
Studying the Bible is essential because of how important God is.
We should give our full attention to the Bible since it contains God’s message to humanity. We need to get in touch with him. Since we aim to take his words to heart, we will be giving them our full and undivided attention.
What a priceless piece of advice! A biblical passage describes them as “more to be desired than gold, even much fine gold; also sweeter than honey and drippings of the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10). More than the biggest joys that our world wants—money and food—the Bible satisfies us.
Paul told young pastor Timothy that “all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). As you speak, God “breathes out” each individual word in the Bible. It is absolutely original in this respect. That statement is true of the Bible but not of any other literature.
Reading the Bible is not the same as studying it.
The Bible is just another document, therefore we read it as quickly as possible. In contrast, we don’t rush through Bible study. We search for answers to the world’s mysteries as we attempt to make sense of it. What they say is given serious consideration.
Ephesians 1:1-14 can be read in 30 seconds, yet the lessons it contains will last you a lifetime. The Gospel of John can be read in its entirety in roughly two hours. But its complexity ensures that you’ll never get bored exploring it.
The reward of maturing in God’s word will be ours for as long as we live.
It’s important to devote a lot of time to Bible study and have faith in what you’re reading.
We put in the time and effort necessary since we value education highly. However, relying on God also calls for us to ask for wisdom.
Paul urged Timothy to “think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything” (2 Timothy 2:7). God endows us with wit, but we have to put it to use.
The evangelist George Whitefield began devoting himself to reading the Bible on a regular basis once he became a Christian. Author says, “I began to read the Holy Scriptures upon my knees, laying aside all other books and praying over, if possible, every line and word… I daily received fresh life, light, and power from above.” Take note of how modest he is.1
Whether or not we choose to get on our knees to study, that’s where our focus ought to be.
