Question about Non-Denominational Ordination

[djsterf]

What, if you know, are the policies on ordination in your local Non-Denominational church?

[VCViking]

What does the Bible say?

The only policies should be that of the Bible:

1 Tim 3 and Titus 1:5-9 along w/ some others.

[djsterf]

What does the Bible say?

The only policies should be that of the Bible:

1 Tim 3 and Titus 1:5-9 along w/ some others.
True, but e.g. Assemblies of God requires that you also take something like 8 courses from their Bible College, then serve another 5 years. Various evangelical churches also require an M. Div. nowadays.

A few other things should at least be in effect in addition to proper attributes for overseers and deacons, though:
- Call to ministry (cf. Eph. 4:4-14)
- Faithfulness in ministry (principle of Luke 16:10)

[Brother Jason]

It also depends on the reason you're needing a license. Unfortunately for some, it's an ego trip, others just don't want any trouble from the law so they get licensed.
When I pastored a small church in Pennsylvania I was told that I couldn't baptize without a license (which after I thought about it, that can't be right, separation of church and state comes in there), anyway, if you're for instance wanting to plant a non denom church, it's very easy to get a non denom license from one of the "licensing mills" out there. Hope this helps.

[djsterf]

It also depends on the reason you're needing a license. Unfortunately for some, it's an ego trip, others just don't want any trouble from the law so they get licensed.
When I pastored a small church in Pennsylvania I was told that I couldn't baptize without a license (which after I thought about it, that can't be right, separation of church and state comes in there), anyway, if you're for instance wanting to plant a non denom church, it's very easy to get a non denom license from one of the "licensing mills" out there. Hope this helps.
Ugg. haha I don't want to go to a license mill, but yeah, the concern is that I'm still praying about and am hoping to plant a Non-denom church soon after I'm done with this MDiv in May, and it would be really nice to be able to be able to perform wedding ceremonies at the plant if the need is there.

Baptisms shouldn't require a license or ordination, as that's generally a command to believers as a whole (especially cf. Matthew 28:19-20), though weddings, yeah, definitely also governmentally and legally-recognized.

[VCViking]

- Call to ministry (cf. Eph. 4:4-14)


Absolutely! That should of been my first.

[djsterf]

So do your churches generally function as 'sending churches' and ordain from within (congregationally-based)?

[IisJustMe]

What, if you know, are the policies on ordination in your local Non-Denominational church?If we have a senior pastoral opening, there is a search committee formed, resumes and applications are accepted, and these are prayerfully considered. We narrow it down to one candidate, through interviews, checking of references, and seminary background. We seek those graduates of Bible-preaching seminaries (Reformed, Southern Baptist, Presbyterian Church of America, etc.) and firmly affix in our own minds that he is true to the biblical principles we outline in our church mission statement and bylaws. We may ask the preferred candidate to "candidate" ... teach at the church for a set period of time, no more than a month, before putting him to a congregational vote. We've never, from my knowledge of our church's history, not chosen the man the pastoral search committee chooses, and we're a huge church. We don't "ordain" anyone, but vote to call him to pastor our church.

If it is one of the subordinate pastoral positions that is open, that is left up to the church board and the pastoral staff, with the recommendations of our Human Resources Director, who also happens to be a pastor.

[djsterf]

If we have a senior pastoral opening, there is a search committee formed, resumes and applications are accepted, and these are prayerfully considered. We narrow it down to one candidate, through interviews, checking of references, and seminary background. We seek those graduates of Bible-preaching seminaries (Reformed, Southern Baptist, Presbyterian Church of America, etc.) and firmly affix in our own minds that he is true to the biblical principles we outline in our church mission statement and bylaws. We may ask the preferred candidate to "candidate" ... teach at the church for a set period of time, no more than a month, before putting him to a congregational vote. We've never, from my knowledge of our church's history, not chosen the man the pastoral search committee chooses, and we're a huge church. We don't "ordain" anyone, but vote to call him to pastor our church.

If it is one of the subordinate pastoral positions that is open, that is left up to the church board and the pastoral staff, with the recommendations of our Human Resources Director, who also happens to be a pastor.
Cool, very helpful. That's a pretty common way of ministry position-filling w/ a congregational church w/ an overseeing board. Thanks! But one question, do the pastors perform weddings? Is that related to licensure in your congregation?

Any others?

[IisJustMe]

Thanks! But one question, do the pastors perform weddings? Is that related to licensure in your congregation?

Any others?Oh, yes, of course. That licensure comes from the state of Colorado, though, and is granted based on seminary certification or other documentation of affirmation as a pastor. Unfortunately, that can be acquired online for a fee, too, so it doesn't mean much.

[djsterf]

Oh, yes, of course. That licensure comes from the state of Colorado, though, and is granted based on seminary certification or other documentation of affirmation as a pastor. Unfortunately, that can be acquired online for a fee, too, so it doesn't mean much.
Aha, gotcha. Yeah, agreed about the latter, too.