Purpose of Ordination. 1. Ordination to this ministry is a gift from God to the Church. In ordination, the Church affirms and continues the apostolic ministry through persons empowered by the Holy Spirit. As such, those who are ordained make a commitment to conscious living of the whole Gospel and to the proclamation of that Gospel to the end that the world may be saved.
2. Ordination is fulfilled in leadership of the people of God through ministries of service, Word, Sacrament, and order. The Church's ministry of service is a primary representation of God's love. Those who respond to God's call to lead in service and to equip others for this ministry through teaching, proclamation, worship, and assist elders in the administration of the Sacraments are ordained as deacons. Those whose leadership in service includes leadership in preaching and teaching the word of God, administration of the Sacraments, ordering the church for its mission and service and administration of the Discipline of the Church are also ordained as elders.
3. Ordained persons exercise their ministry in covenant with all Christians, especially with those whom they lead and serve in ministry. They also live in covenant of mutual care and accountability with all those who share their ordination, especially in The United Methodist Church, with the ordained who are members of the same Annual Conference and part of the same Order. The covenant of ordained ministry is a lifetime commitment, and those who enter into it dedicate their whole lives to the personal and spiritual disciplines it requires.
4. The effectiveness of the Church in mission depends on these covenantal commitments to the ministry of all Christians and the ordained ministry of the Church. Through ordination and through other offices of pastoral leadership, the Church provides for the continuation of Christ's ministry which has been committed to the church as a whole. Without creative use of the diverse gifts of the entire Body of Christ, the ministry of the Church is less effective. Without responsible leadership, the focus, direction, and continuity of that ministry is diminished.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21817-MN-303-D
1996 United Methodist General Conference