God's Standard For Ordination

A word from the Lord

At 5:09am, on a Saturday morning, the Lord woke me up with this word:

In some cases leaders have been ordained and auxiliary leaders have been installed on the assumption they were members of the Body of Christ. But you did not prove them. You did not try the spirit, to declare it to be of God. You simply assumed it was; excusing the faultiness you observed in their character and underlying spiritual disposition. This presumptive attitude has become a culture in my house.

Yes, many have been ordained or appointed to positions in spite of that which is known of the underlying negatives in character and spiritual disposition. But they have been astute in doing and accommodating a need to fulfill positions in the church. Thus, it was assumed they would be able to lead my people.

This presumptive behavior is a grave error. It has caused many to be personally ship-wrecked in their souls. They are trying to fulfill a calling they were never called to. They are trying to lead people to places they have never gone. They are trying to display sentiments they truly do not have. They are trying to emulate a Christ they have heard preached, taught, and counseled. But they do not know him. Nevertheless, they have been ordained or appointed to serve me. They struggle to pacify their leader. But this struggle has caused them much frustration and the church much confusion.

I have commanded you to set forth a clean and holy leadership. Try every spirit and know that it is Christ. Let it manifest the proof of being born of the Holy Ghost. Put away your presumptive spirit and attitude and make right that which is wrong. My Spirit will guide you if your heart is indeed pure in this.

Furthermore, those who have been born of my Spirit, but do not walk in my way, have been placed at the head of my people. This too is confusing. Again you have assumed they are capable of leading my flock and raising it to perfection. But you have seen the depths of spiritual destruction these presumptive ordinations have caused.

Such ordinations and appointments have facilitated bad character, apathy towards true repentance, and high mindedness. These unapproved ordinations and appointments have become stumbling blocks for them and the people they lead.

Presumptive behavior is arrogance and has no regard for the promise of the leading of my Spirit. It is a transgression that must be repented of. Return to me and my way and I will raise up a people that will bring glory to my name in the earth.

In this current season, the Holy Spirit is revealing previously obscured truths about mistakes made in appointing individuals to church roles and ordinations. These errors often stemmed from ignorance, presumption, assumption, or emotion rather than spiritual discernment. It's crucial to acknowledge these errors in ministry and be open to revisiting past decisions prompted by God's guidance.

Many leaders have been appointed with good intentions but without proper spiritual discernment. This culture of presumption needs to change. God desires a pure heart in leadership and is calling for us to embrace His standard, even if it means some people leaving the church. We must distinguish between godliness and ungodliness.

While we have received God's mercy in our own lives, we shouldn't lower His standards for ministry. Leaders should already be established in righteousness. However, some have been ordained despite known negative traits, and we should listen to God's guidance on this issue. Engaging in presumptive behavior has caused turmoil for many individuals who attempt to fulfill a calling they were never suited for. Leadership goes beyond skill or temperament; not everyone is meant for leadership. Existing leaders should discern people's true callings and utilize their gifts effectively.

It's time to reevaluate the spirituality of those being ordained, ensuring they are genuinely born again. Ordaining individuals who are not saved, can be detrimental to a church. God is issuing a strong rebuke against this. The Holy Spirit is leading and guiding his pastors as to how to address this issue: try every spirit to ensure they manifest the fruit or evidence of salvation. Those who aren’t saved should be placed on platforms that will give the impression that they are. While there may be tasks unsaved individuals can perform within the church, discernment should guide their roles, with the ultimate goal being to lead them to salvation.

The Risks of Presumptuous Ordinations

1. Spiritual destruction
2. Nurturing bad character
3. Obstructing the path of true repentance

Presumptuous behavior in general is arrogance and needs to be repented of.

Let's take a moment to absorb this. As pastors and future pastors, we must be cautious. Sometimes we ordain people based solely on our personal affinity for them, thinking this is God's guidance. If this leads us to appoint individuals who later display damaging character traits, we are responsible for the negative consequences that ensue. In such cases, we don't truly love those individuals. Instead, we are setting them—and potentially others—up for spiritual failure.

If you keep someone in a role solely because you like them, thinking they will eventually change, you don't really love that person. Negative character traits are not mere quirks but symptoms of a corrupted soul. If you ignore these signs and leave them in their position, you are forsaking an opportunity to help them. God reveals these flaws so you can act—by sitting them down. In doing so, you remind them of their initial love for God and force them to confront their negative dispositions.

Keeping someone in a position due to personal affection or their long-standing service in the ministry shows a lack of love for both the individual and the souls they might be affecting negatively. The divine standard is without blemish; thus, personal affection shouldn't cloud a leader's judgment. A failure to act could lead to dire spiritual consequences, not just for the individual in question but for the entire ministry.

The principle of disciplinary love isn't limited to parenting; it applies to ministry as well. When negative traits in a member begin to deter others from associating with the ministry, action must be taken. Inaction is a failure to love both the erring member and those they affect.

A strong leader is one who fears nothing in obeying God. Leadership should never be compromised by hesitations concerning offense or the loss of influential members. The focus must be on ensuring each individual is suited to their respective roles in the ministry. Sometimes people are placed in roles they are not equipped for, like making a deacon a pastor. Such mismatches result in ineffective leadership. The church needs to reevaluate and validate its existing roles, ensuring that people are aligned with positions that match their spiritual and practical capabilities.

The Bible warns against hastily elevating novices into positions of leadership. It emphasizes the need for proving one's capabilities and encourages leaders to know the abilities of those who labor among them. God directs a willing heart. Leaders must rid themselves of fear, secure in the knowledge that what belongs to the ministry will remain. Even if numbers decrease, effective ministry isn't about quantity but quality. Jesus started with just 12 men and changed the world.

Know those who labor among you

In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, we are urged, "Therefore, comfort yourselves together and edify one another, even as also ye do." Further, it advises the faithful to recognize those who labor among you and those who have spiritual authority over you. This scripture validates what we have always been told: it's essential to truly know the people who are in spiritual leadership roles around us. Often, getting to know someone's spiritual disposition may take time, but it is crucial.

One effective way to evaluate those in spiritual leadership is to judge their sentiment towards the things pertaining to God. This involves looking beyond mere words to examine their true feelings toward the ways or word of God. A red flag is raised if they are continuously in disagreement with the word. Such disagreements reveal a lack of genuine commitment to the word of God, making them unfit for leadership roles.

Luke 6:45

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

By listening carefully, you can gain insight into someone's true heart and disposition, which eventually will reveal itself. Listening provides a balanced perspective and fosters mutual understanding within the spiritual community.

First Corinthians 2:13

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

This establishes a distinct separation between human wisdom and the enlightenment granted by the Holy Ghost. We speak not from our own understanding but from what we have been taught by the Holy Ghost.

Comparing Spiritual with Spiritual

One must be born of the Spirit in order to grasp the teachings of the spirit. The natural man, who is not in the spirit, will struggle with divine wisdom, finding it either confusing or altogether unattainable. They might view God’s requirements as a high mountain to climb, or an obstacle too heavy to move, but the reality is that they are not equipped with the spirit of understanding (the Holy Ghost).

Some may try to respond to their shortcomings by performing isolated acts of "spirituality," in an attempt to prove they have changed. However, true spirituality is not about conducting piecemeal actions; it is about total transformation. Such transformation only occurs when one gives up to Christ, allowing Him to live through them. Real change in spirituality doesn't come from pacifying leadership or appeasing one's conscience; it comes from giving yourself up to the Lord. It requires a complete surrender of self, allowing the life of Christ to shine through us.

Several years ago, I found myself in a crucial leadership meeting. During the meeting, I turned to one leader and told them, "You're not a pastor; you're an evangelist." This statement resonated deeply with them. They immediately exclaimed, "Praise you, Jesus!" and embraced their newfound role. Since that moment, they have become one of the most effective leaders on our board, simply because they are now serving in the role best suited to their gift and calling.

The relief that comes from finding one's true calling is profound. You're no longer concerned with the expectations or judgments of others. Even if you were previously serving in a pastoral or bishopric role, when God calls you to serve elsewhere, perhaps as a deacon, the liberation is immense. You no longer have to pretend; you can simply be who you are. However, if you are more concerned about the appearance of stepping down, or about losing the perks that come with your previous role, then you are not fit to lead. We should rejoice when God places us in a role that He has specifically allocated for us.

To everyone reading this, I urge you to consider what has been said. If you're ready to follow God's command, acknowledge it openly. This isn't a matter of human manipulation; it's divine instruction. Today's lesson is not just a suggestion, it's a command: follow Him. So, I ask you all: “How many of you are willing to be obedient to God, to follow Him regardless of the cost?” This is your opportunity to demonstrate strong leadership by heeding God's call to action.

Scripture References

1 Thessalonians 5:11-14

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

1 Corinthians 2:13-16

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Philippians 3:15-16

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.