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Who would have ever though I would have the opportunities that I’ve been given here in Dallas? The past two weekends have been significant milestones in our ministry: first was my ordination into fulltime ministry, and second was the first Sunday I got to preach at my church.
Ordination has traditionally been a combination of a “passing of the torch,” an anointing and examination for full time ministry, and declaration of support and commissioning from the local church. For a long time I thought of ordination as more of an unnecessary formality, but after going through the council and process it was revealed to me just how meaningful and Biblical ordination really is.Ordination is much more than a simple ceremony; it is an allegiance to a calling, and a pillar of commitment to which the Pastor can look back to and lean on.
I had the privilege of having my family fly down to Dallas for the ceremony, and I have to say that it is much more special to have those who have prayed for you your whole life contribute to such a service. Both Jeff Larson, another associate minister at FBC and I were ordained, and although you can find internet ordination sites, our process was a bit more in depth. Because the church knew Jeff and me, we didn’t need to go through all the rigors of an interview of sorts, however we did have to share our beliefs on some pretty heavy subjects during our council.
After everything, it was simply very humbling to receive such an entrance into the ministry, although I still stand firm that all of us are capable of being ministers in the capacities that the Lord gives us. “Thank you” to all the friends and family who came to celebrate the ceremony with us.
Then, this past weekend I got to preach at church. Seems that as soon as you’re ordained your right up there preaching! We have such a wonderful church, and I so much more enjoy preaching in a real church than preaching in a school class room. The sermon was over 1 Peter 2:9-12, and was answering the question, “How should the church live, in light of its destination.”
Above all things, the servant of God is simply that – a servant. There is very little of my own which enables me for fulltime ministry. The preacher is ever-dependent upon the living Word and the animate Spirit to accomplish the stimulation of faith, and it is a privilege to serve the Lordin the many ways in which He enables.