Ordination Process
Summary - The purpose of the Pastoral Examination Process is to aid and protect local churches by assessing theological understanding, doctrinal convictions, ministerial skills, personal life & integrity and an understanding of the mission of the church. In this page we have outline the five steps to the ordination process, and provided several key documents and links to additional helpful information.
Step 1 - Application
The LOCAL CHURCH has the authority and responsibility to ordain pastors for ministry. The Pastoral Ordination process begins with the local church officially recognizing a man who has demonstrated sound character, ministerial gifting and calling into the pastoral ministry.
However, as a member church in the Charis Fellowship there should be a commitment to mutual accountability, support and help. Submission to the process accepted by our Fellowship and INSPIRE demonstrates this mutual relationship. Recognition from a district examination board not only strengthens your church but it nurtures our mutual relationship.
A man seeking Ordination will FIRST complete the following APPLICATION.
The Local Church leadership will review this application and if they recognize his sound character, ministerial gifting and calling into the pastoral ministry they will complete this LOCAL CHURCH RECOGNITION FORM in accordance with your local church policies.
Both the APPLICATION and the RECOGNITION FORM will then be submitted to the District Chairman of your District or the President of INSPIRE if no District Examination Board exists.
What is the District Examining Board?
The District Examination Board will review the APPLICATION and make a formal recommendation in writing to the Local Church to either accept or reject the candidate into the National Ordination Process.
Step 2 - Preparation
When a candidate is accepted into the National Ordination Process, the District Examination Board will provide a District approved mentor to help him prepare for the written and oral exam. The mentor will also be responsible to evaluate the candidate’s life and ministry skills using the Charis Beliefs equipping tools.
Not every candidate seeking Ordination is starting at the same place. Click here for guidance on various ENTRY POINTS.
The mentorship relationship is key to the success of the ordination process. Click here for mentorship expectations.
When a candidate has completed the Ordination Preparation and the Mentor is confident that he is ready to be examined by the District Examination Board, the Mentor will submit the Mentor Recommendation Form to the District Examination Board.
Step 3 - Examination
The examination has TWO parts – A written and an oral exam.
Each candidate will complete a written exam based on questions relating to the Charis Fellowship Identity Statement and Positions Statements. This exam is intended to aid and protect local churches by assessing the candidate’s theological understanding, doctrinal convictions, ministerial skills, personal life, integrity and an understanding of the mission of the church. This exam will be updated annually to reflect any changes in our Position Statements.
The written exam should be completed within a total of 8 hours and within 2 days.
The written exam will then be sent to District Examination Board chairman. A digital copy of the exam will be emailed to the men on the District Examination Board by the chairman. The chairman will then schedule the oral exam.
The purpose of the Oral Exam is for the District (or National) Examination Board to evaluate the candidate’s written exam. The focus of the oral exam will be on areas of weakness or insufficiency.
Step 4 - Recommendation
The Examination Board’s final recommendation will be based on the following Standard for Affirmation and should be a unanimous consensus.
STANDARDS FOR AFFIRMATION
The candidate has a mastery level understanding of Scripture, the Gospel, theology and doctrine so that he can adequately teach others.
The candidate has a clear understanding of the mission of the church.
The candidate has solid Christian character, discernment and ability in ministry.
The candidate has the support of his spouse (if married) and has healthy relationships.
The candidate has a clear understanding of his calling in pastoral ministry.
The candidate agrees to cooperate harmoniously and walk with integrity within the Charis Fellowship Family:
That is part of the Evangelical community.
Whose ordinances are triune immersion and threefold communion.
Whose eschatology follows a pre-millennial hermeneutic.
That believes the eldership of the church has been given to men.
That believes in the security of the believer.
The candidate intends to be intentional about his relationships with the Charis Fellowship Family.
If the candidate meets the standards of affirmation, a formal recommendation will be provided by the District Examination Board to the Local Church.
Step 5 - Ordination Service
The following are instructions for an ordination service to be planned and executed by the leaders of the local church. It is not the responsibility of the District, the Fellowship or the man being ordained to plan or execute the ordination service.
The Elders of the Local Church should plan a special service. The man being ordained should provide input, but should not be expected to plan the service alone. Traditionally an Ordination Service includes the favorite worship songs of the candidate, a speaker that would be meaningful to the candidate and a time of recognition by the District Examination Chairman, but feel free to be creative. Remember the purpose of the Ordination Service is to affirm and celebrate the candidate’s call to pastoral ministry
A special offering should be taken to bless the pastor in ministry.
A meal should be planned if possible. The local church family should plan this meal.
District pastors should be invited and may be included in the service. The District Exam Chairman upon request can provide a list of pastors and addresses. Sometimes a representative of District will lead the candidate in affirmation of formal vows.
A signed COPY of the Ordination Certificate should be sent to the District Examination Chairman and the INSPIRE President.
The original should be presented to the candidate.