Ordained Ministry: Transformed to Transform

Our general calling as believers is to be holy and set ourselves apart such that the transformative work of the LORD may be done through us. Further, we ourselves were transformed through the love and grace of God and were sanctified through the blood of Christ. Therefore, it is only fair that we share the same love we have received. For some, God gives yet another calling. It is a calling that involves shepherding God’s people, proclaiming His Word, and guiding believers on their individual spiritual journey. Those who are called to this specific ministry are thus responsible for leading, teaching and nurturing the faith of every single person under their care. This responsibility first requires that the individuals with the previously mentioned special calling are consecrated, that is, set apart for the sake of the ministry; this process is called ordination, and thus the ministry is termed ordained ministry. Having been ordained, these individuals are formally authorized to lead the church.

Despite the administrative roles it entails, ordained ministry cannot be called a profession. It is a sacred calling that continually transforms both the minister and the people they serve to the perfection found in Christ, and the holiness the LORD expects. Further, it is a ministry of reconciliation where the gap between God and humanity is bridged through the transformative power of Christ's love and grace, which in this case is shown through the transformed life of the ordained minister. Thus, through faithful service, ordained ministers become vessels of God’s transformative work - bringing healing, hope and restoration to the ones in need. Naturally, the Bible records some key guidelines to follow in order to properly partake in this ordained ministry.

Firstly, ordained ministry is a special commission directly from the LORD, and it has to be fulfilled exactly. For example, the message conveyed by the LORD to the Church, through the minister should not be watered down or hyped up based on the personal views of the minister. This nature of the ministry makes it akin to the prophetic ministry of the men of God in the Old Testament, who relayed warnings and messages of repentance and holiness to the people. In Ezekiel 33, we see Ezekiel’s commission to deliver God’s messages and his task to warn people of the consequences of their sin. The LORD emphasizes the importance of speaking His truth and the responsibility of both the messenger and the listeners to respond to His warnings by describing the role of a watchman. In times of war, the watchman is tasked to warn people of any incoming raids. Once the watchman blows the trumpet and announces imminent danger, it is up to the listener to act and save their life. However, if the watchman sees the approaching danger and fails to warn the people which ultimately leads to their destruction, then the watchman is responsible for all the bloodshed and the lives of those who perished due to his negligence. Such was Ezekiel’s role as a watchman.

“So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. Ezekiel 33:7-9

Similarly, the ordained ministers are watchmen appointed by God to warn the people of their sinful ways, by proclaiming God’s truth and calling people to repentance. The ordained minister has the task of discerning and sharing God’s Word with boldness and clarity, even in the face of unrest, opposition or indifference. This is no place to be slack. The listeners likewise are to recognize the Word of God and change their ways in order to be holy, being transformed to radiate the love and grace of God.

Secondly, there are some qualities and requirements which ought to be fulfilled in order to serve in ordained ministry. Generally, these have to do with character, integrity and maturity of those who are called for this special ministry. Paul in his letter to Timothy provides the guidelines for a person to take a leadership role (elder, decon) in the church. Paul calls for individuals who are above reproach, faithful in their relationships, and skilled in teaching and guiding others. Their lives should reflect humility, compassion, and a genuine love for God and His people. Thus, ordained ministers are to be models of Christ-like character, serving as examples for the faith community to follow, thereby ensuring that their own transformed lives would cause transformation in the lives of others under their care.

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:1-13

Ordained ministry also requires that we understand the absolute love and holiness of the LORD. Countless verses in the Bible testify to the holiness and majesty of God. Psalm 99, for instance, is a psalm of praise to the LORD for His Holiness. The LORD is One who calls, commissions and ordains His servants for his ministry. Thus, the ministry itself needs to be held with reverence and humility, never forgetting that we are answerable directly to the Almighty. Coincidentally, this is also a huge encouragement. With God with us, what is there to fear!?

The Lord reigns; Let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; Let the earth be moved! The Lord is great in Zion, And He is high above all the peoples. Let them praise Your great and awesome name—He is holy. Psalm 99:1-3

Finally, neither the ministry nor the transformative work of the LORD can be experienced without the understanding and spreading of the love of God. In John 21:15-19 we see the conversation between the resurrected Jesus and Peter, where Jesus commissions Peter to take care of the flock. Jesus does this by saying, "Feed My lambs... Tend My sheep... Feed My sheep", the commission was thrice stressed. But before this, Jesus thrice asks Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”.

Love is crucial for anything and everything in this world, without which everything would quickly fall apart. For the ministry, both love of God and the love for fellow humans is highly necessary. Without love of God, it is impossible to understand His heart and be transformed in His Ways. Similarly, without the love for our fellow humans, we cannot empathize with them about their needs, sufferings and sorrow. Once we understand this, the pastoral nature of ordained ministry builds up, which leads to nurturing, caring and feeding the spiritual life of mankind. However, the ministry will not be without opposition. But selflessness and dedication comes with the understanding and acceptance of God’s love to work through us. With the love of Christ embodied in us, restoration and transformation will overflow.

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” John 21:17-19

As believers, we are called to support and pray for those in ordained ministry, not forgetting the weight of their calling and the transformative impact of their work. Let us also never forget that while some are called specially to the ordained ministry, all believers are called to be ministers of Christ under the great commission, transforming the world around us through acts of love, service, and proclamation of the Gospel through the strength of the Holy Spirit!