What is Ordination?

April 18, 2025 5:24 PM

“I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom: Preach the word…” (2 Timothy 4:1–2a)

Ordination is one of the most misunderstood practices in the Church. For some, it seems like a graduation or promotion. For others, it feels distant or unnecessary. But in Scripture, ordination is neither an award nor a rite of passage—it is a sacred affirmation. It’s the Church recognizing and commissioning someone God has already called and shaped. In essence, ordination is not a reward for ministry readiness but a recognition of God’s call and the Church’s confidence in a person’s character and doctrine.

Paul’s charge to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1–5 is sobering—not filled with flattery, but a weighty commission before God: “Preach the word… be ready in season and out of season… with great patience and teaching.” Ministry is not a personal achievement to be celebrated, but a sacred trust to be stewarded. That same seriousness surrounds the practice of ordination.

Throughout church history, ordination has served three primary purposes:

Affirmation of Calling – The local church, through prayer and discernment, affirms that the individual has demonstrated evidence of a divine call to ministry. This is not self-appointed authority but Spirit-led confirmation.
Assessment of Character and Doctrine – Before public affirmation, candidates should be examined for their lifestyle, theological alignment, and ministry fruit. Paul makes it clear that character and sound doctrine go hand in hand (1 Tim. 3:1–7).
Commissioning to the Work of Ministry – Ordination is not just recognition; it’s a release into the work. It is both a celebration and a charge. It empowers the individual to preach, teach, lead, and shepherd with the blessing and accountability of the church.

Paul David Tripp wisely warns that when the Church prioritizes gifting over godliness, ordination loses its meaning: “Ordination launches us into ministry, but it doesn’t protect us from ourselves. A gifted leader without strong character is a danger to the church.”1 Ordination isn’t about status—it’s about stewardship. It reminds us that ministry isn’t ours to own. It belongs to Christ, the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4), from whom all true authority flows.

Ordination is a beautiful and weighty moment. It is not a certificate of arrival but a signpost of surrender. It humbles the soul and steadies the heart. For those who are ordained—or those walking toward it—remember: you are not being elevated; you are being entrusted. Preach the Word. Shepherd the flock. Serve in season and out. And do it all, not for applause, but in reverent obedience to Christ, the One who has called and commissioned you.

Suggested Reading:

Paul David Tripp, Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry
Benjamin L. Merkle, 40 Questions About Elders and Deacons
John Piper, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry

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1 Paul David Tripp, Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012), 18.

Photo by Jacob Bentzinger on Unsplash

What is Ordination?

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