Criteria for Ordination

It is sad to say that there are pastors in the ministry that do not work in the lives of anyone; and when confronted, their response is that they did not know they should. Nevertheless, these same individuals are recommended year after year for re-licencing. If one truly has a gift, there should be evidence of the gift prior to ordination. If they are an evangelist, who are they compelling to Christ? If they are a pastor, whose life are they forming Christ in? When we are holy, the gift of God operates by God through us naturally. If this natural evidence of the gift is not present, they should not be a candidate for ordination. If someone ordained in a gift shows no signs of the gift, it is either they are not walking in the Spirit, were positioned prematurely, or did not have that gift to begin with.

Furthermore, the scriptures set certain criteria for leadership that we will be judged by.

• Are we truly holy?
• Are we diligent in studying the Word?
• Do you have a good testimony among those who entertain you?
• Have you taken the initiative to equip yourself with the knowledge and understanding of what is required of you?

These are a few of the things that qualify us as God’s ministers.

A minister must focus on the purpose for which he was called. If we neglect our responsibilities, we are merely holding titles. Thankfully, God has allowed us to document the responsibilities of each gift and ensured that these lessons are available for our growth and development. Gone are the days that we have the excuse that we did not know what to do. The truth is, those that truly desire to mature in their gift can do so if they submit to the platforms of discipleship and development already set in place.

Romans 12:6-8

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.