Ordination sermons for pastors are often what a congregation wants to hear. John 15:16. “16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” A pastor ordination sermon is one of the best times for a pastor to share his or her heart and call in front of a congregation. In case you are wondering what an ordination sermon looks like, this guide will take you through important aspects that can make your next sermon shine.
My ordination is just around the corner, and I’m having trouble finding good ordination sermons for pastors. If you’re in a similar situation and you have any sermons you think are really good, please share them with me.
Ordination Sermons For Pastors
Today, we gather to reflect on the significance of ordination sermons for pastors. This sacred occasion marks the official consecration and recognition of a pastor’s role in leading and shepherding a congregation. As we delve into the Word of God, let us be reminded of the calling and responsibilities of pastors, as well as the blessings they bring to the church.
The Call to Shepherd God’s Flock
In the book of 1 Peter 5:2-4, we are reminded of the solemn duty pastors have in shepherding God’s flock: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”
This passage emphasizes the selfless nature of pastoral ministry, where pastors are called to lead by example and serve with humility and dedication. It is a reminder that the role of a pastor is not just a job, but a sacred calling to care for and nurture God’s people.
The Blessings of a Faithful Shepherd
The book of Jeremiah 3:15 proclaims the blessings that come from faithful shepherding: “Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.” This verse reminds us that God appoints pastors who are aligned with His heart and will, to guide His people with wisdom and discernment.
In John 10:11, Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. This serves as a model for pastors to emulate, sacrificing their own needs and desires for the well-being of their congregation. The blessings of a faithful shepherd are immeasurable, as they lead their flock towards spiritual growth and fulfillment in Christ.
As we reflect on the significance of ordination sermons for pastors, let us uphold and support our spiritual leaders in their calling. Let us pray for their guidance, wisdom, and strength as they shepherd God’s flock. May they continue to serve with humility, dedication, and love, following the example of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
Ordination Sermon Outlines
Be nice to parishioners.
- Greet people by name and ask them how they are doing.
- Ask them if they have any prayer requests. If so, pray for them right then and there.
You are called to preach justice and mercy.
The book of Micah tells the story of a prophet who, after preaching to the people, had them all holding their ears and shouting “justice!” and “mercy!”. The prophet then told his audience that he was not talking about justice or mercy for them personally: he was talking about justice for all peoples, and mercy to all living things (Micah 6:8). From this story we can learn that preaching justice and mercy is not just something we do once in awhile; instead it must be an ongoing part of our lives as pastors.
In order to preach on topics like these effectively you will need to do some preparation first. First, read through any relevant scriptures in your Bible; also take note of any passages that mention these words specifically as they apply here (e.g., “It seems like everyone has forgotten what God has done!” ) Next – pray! Ask God to help guide your words so they are filled with truth rather than lies; ask Him also if He wants there to be any other messages included…and then wait patiently until He answers those questions too before continuing writing down what happened next.”
Always test yourself against the teachings of Jesus.
We must always test ourselves against the teachings of Jesus.
Jesus is the greatest example of what it means to be a Christian. Jesus is the model for how we should live and act in our lives, because he did everything perfectly. He never gave up on us and he always forgave us when we made mistakes, even when we didn’t deserve it!
In Matthew 26:39–44, we read that as Judas was leaving, Jesus told him to go back with his money but not do what he would later do with it (betraying Jesus). Judas decided that this was too much work so he turned around and left without even taking the money! This proves that if you try hard enough, then anything can happen! You don’t have any excuses not to try either; there’s nothing stopping anyone from trying except themselves!
We all make mistakes but there’s no reason why anyone should ever give up on themselves or think less about themselves because they did something wrong once upon a time—especially since God forgives us every single time anyway!
Look at your own life, not just what you preach.
As a pastor, you have to set an example for your congregation. People are going to look at you and ask themselves if they can be like you. You will have more influence in their lives than any other person in the church, so it’s important that you are living a life that is worthy of emulation. As a pastor, I try my best not to preach anything from the pulpit unless I am doing so as an example for my congregation. My goal is always to help people become better versions of themselves by showing them what it looks like when someone does something well or poorly; then I encourage them either way!
The best way for me to do this is by having good examples of how I live my life every day so that people will want and need to follow it.
Never forget that God is in control.
God is in control.
Believe it or not, God has everything under control—even the things that seem out of control. We serve at his pleasure and with the faith that he knows best. In the end, our job is to do what he wants us to do and trust that he’s got it all figured out.
People will not agree with everything you say and do, but you must look beyond that to the big picture.
People will not agree with everything you say and do, but you must look beyond that to the big picture.
You will have critics! They may be your parishioners, or they may simply be people who don’t know you well enough to understand your motives. Regardless, it’s important to remember that God has called each of us in a unique way and his grace is sufficient for all situations. We are all imperfect human beings trying our best to serve God through his church—and sometimes we’ll make mistakes along the way! But if we keep this in mind, we can continue on with confidence knowing that God has provided us with an abundance of resources, including prayer support from others who love him as much as us (1 John 1).
Always be a pastor. Don’t let the office overwhelm you.
- You are a pastor. That’s it.
- Always be a pastor, even when you’re not working as one.
- Don’t let the office overwhelm you. That’s not what being a pastor is all about, and it doesn’t make sense to lose sight of your calling because of some ceremonial title or dress code. The best way to avoid this is by remembering that God has called us all here together as part of a body—not just pastors and people they serve, but everyone who calls themselves Christian: clergy and laypeople alike (1 Corinthians 12:12–13).
- Focus on the big picture instead of getting caught up in smaller details like whether or not parishioners agree with everything you say or do; test yourself against the teachings of Jesus when making decisions for your own life and ministry—if something seems like it might violate His character as revealed through Scripture, then don’t do it!
Being a pastor isn’t easy, but it’s really rewarding when you know your place in God’s plan for ministry.
Of course, being a pastor isn’t easy. It’s really rewarding when you know your place in God’s plan for ministry and fully trust Him to lead the way.
Don’t let the office overwhelm you; always be a pastor, no matter what your title or situation may be. Always test yourself against the teachings of Jesus; look at your own life, not just what you preach each week. Never forget that God is in control—we’re just here to do His work!