Over the next year, I will be devoting a significant amount of time to ordination. It is a time-consuming process. My ministry role does not require this. I have already been tested in Free Church ministry with nearly 2 decades on the mission field in multiple countries and in division leadership with ReachGlobal. You would be hard pressed to find a more loyal Free Church guy than me. I also have a ministry license, so there is no legal reason I need to be ordained. Why, then pursue ordination? Maybe you are asking the same question. Let me share a few reasons.
Continued Growth: One cannot spend months in honest study of God’s word and not emerge transformed. Going through the statement of faith article by article may seem like a meticulous and tedious process to many, but I find it life-giving. Exercising theological muscles is like exercising physical muscles. It makes us stronger and healthier.
The Good of the Church: In 1998, I read Howard Hendrick’s book Teaching to Change Lives. In it Hendricks shares a quote, “I would rather have my student drink from a running stream than a stagnant pool.” This was a life-changing lesson for me that has affected much of how I engage in ministry. The ordination process challenges me to grow in Biblical and theological understanding and find ways to apply that understanding to those I am ministering to. I would rather be the running stream than the stagnant pool.
Demonstration of Commitment: I have been in Free Church ministry for over two decades, and I have every intent to continue serving with the EFCA for the next two. I am working toward ordination to demonstrate that I am committed to this movement.
Accountability: By getting ordained, I recognize that I am not doing this ministry alone. I am accountable to others who can affirm or correct my theological standing.
Fellowship: I am part of an ordination cohort. We will meet every month for several hours over the next year to discuss each article of the EFCA statement of faith. Iron will sharpen iron, and I will get quality time with ministry leaders from around the district.
If you are in vocational Free Church ministry, I would encourage you to pursue credentialing if you have not already done so. The benefits will surprise you.