Ordination

In the Presbyterian church, ordination is the solemn, official act where the church recognizes, sets apart, and authorizes a qualified individual (like a minister, elder, or deacon) for a specific leadership office, involving examination, public vows, prayer, and the laying on of hands, signifying God's call and the church's commissioning to serve His people, balancing biblical tradition with the Presbyterian emphasis on Christ as the sole head of the church.

Former minister, Rev. Thomas Philipp, renews his ordination vows on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a Teaching Elder (Minister). While Ministers are originally ordained by a Presbytery, this reinactment ceremony was conducted by our elders.

Authoritative Admission: It's the church's official act of admitting someone called by God into a leadership role, not conferring magical grace, but confirming a divine calling.
Recognition & Authorization: It formally acknowledges that a person has been called by God, has met stringent training/examination requirements (seminary, exams on theology, polity, etc.), and is authorized to serve.
Public Commitment: The ordinand takes vows to be obedient to Christ, serve the church faithfully, and uphold its doctrines, promising adherence to the church's Book of Order.
Biblical Practice: It's rooted in New Testament examples (Acts, 1 & 2 Timothy) and involves the laying on of hands by already ordained elders to signify blessing, continuity, and equipping for ministry.
Christ-Centered: It reflects the belief that Christ, as Head of the Church, appoints officers (elders, deacons) to build His Kingdom through His Word and Spirit, with ordination being an outworking of that principle.
Safeguarding Ministry: It acts as a "gatekeeper," ensuring only qualified, called, and examined individuals enter church leadership, similar to professional licensing exams.

Ordination in Presbyterianism is a formal, scriptural, and communal process to confirm a person's gifting and calling, setting them apart with public vows and the church's blessing to faithfully serve in Christ's name.

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