Proposed Ordination Process:
Referral
Recommendation
Examination
Ordination
Enquiry
Installation
· Referral
1. Candidates referred by: current elder (for new fellowships) or,
2. Local pastoral search committee (to fill pulpit in existing fellowship: Acts 6:3)
· Examination
Candidate is examined by ordination committee of General Council or Assembly (includes public preaching, as well as personal, academic, and doctrinal integrity: 1 Timothy 5:22; Acts 20:28)
· Recommendation
Recommendation seconded and moved (confirmed) by ordination committee of General Council or Assembly (Acts 15:22)
· Ordination / Licensure
After approval by General Council or Assembly, candidate is ordained and licensed to the ministry of the gospel (Titus 1:5; Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:1-5)
· Enquiry
Candidate sent to local fellowship for acquainting and enquiry by the local body
· Installation
At installation service, as many elders as possible attend. Representative Elder preaches and publicly demands confession from candidate (2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:2) and submission from local fellowship (Hebrews 13:17). New minister publicly installed by the laying on of hands (Acts 6:6, 11:30; 5:22; 2 Tim. 1:6).