Section II. The Nature of Ministry and Ordination.
Christ commissions and mandates the entire Church to be in ministry. The Scripture makes clear, however, that the Church has always designated persons to hold specific authority and responsibility. Such persons, called by God and authorized by the Church, continually point the Church to its dependence on and identity in Jesus Christ. In the covenant relationship, they are accountable to God and to the Church and are called to lead the Church into participation in God's mission. Mission is the basis for ministry.
Being called and set apart by the Church is inherent in the nature of ministry. Ordination is a sign of God's gift and power given through the Holy Spirit. Ordination denotes an action by God and the community by which the ordained are strengthened by the Spirit for their tasks and are upheld by the acknowledgment and prayers of the congregation. Historically, ordering for ministry in the Church means ordination. The Church, by the laying on of hands, marks a person for particular ordained ministry.
Ordination is the act through which the Church recognizes and affirms God's call to persons and authorizes them for ministries of koinonia, leiturgia, didache, kerygma, and diakonia which are known most simply as community, liturgy, teaching, proclamation, and service. Ordination conveys a commission based on the recognition of individual gifts and the empowerment of the Spirit's self-giving love. Ordination witnesses to a covenant established between the ordained person and the Church. Ordination is the sign of one's calling and providing leadership by which one is set apart for Christian vocation. Ordination is a gift of God, given in answer to the prayers of the Church, by which qualified women and men are called, authorized, and empowered to be representative ministers of koinonia, leiturgia, didache, kerygma, and diakonia. It is ultimately God in Christ who ordains, acting through the Spirit and the Church.
Because there is unity in Christ's ministry, these ministries cannot really be separated. While there is one ordination, persons may focus on one or more of these ministries at particular times and places. They shall be authorized to perform these specific functions through licensing. Though one is licensed in a particular function, one may sometimes be called upon to perform ministries in other functions. The difference between the offices is a matter of key focus and function. Ministries are not ranked or valued differently. They are the same ministry, which is Christ's ministry, and are authorized by common rite.
Ordination should never be construed as permission to function in isolation. It should always be understood as a covenantal relationship in which the ordained is not only a representative of Jesus Christ, but representative of the whole people of God. Those in each form of ministry are called to be faithful representatives of the servant ministry of Jesus Christ in both the Church and the world.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 22971-MN-302-D
1996 United Methodist General Conference