This year marks the 5th year anniversary of my ordination as an Elder in the California Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church...For those who are unfamiliar with the ordination process in the UMC, an elder is called to Word (preaching, teaching, etc,), Sacrament (Holy Communion and Baptism), Service and Order (Administration or oversight of the church). Before one becomes an elder, s/he needs to have a Bachelor Degree and a Master in Divinity (3 years full time). During my ordination process, a unit of clinical pastoral education (chaplaincy) was required. Then, I have to write around 100 pages of examination in Theology, Worship, Pastoral Care, etc. I have to submit a worship service liturgy and a tape and text of my actual preaching. When I passed the written examinations, I was invited for an interview composed of mostly clergy and few laypersons. After passing both written examination and oral interview, I was commissioned as a Probationary (now provisional elder). I had to wait at least 2 1/2 years before applying for ordination and full membership of my annual conference. Again, I underwent written examinations and oral interviews to be ordained elder and obtain the rights and responsibilities of a clergy...What I want to say to all of you is my ordination is a gift from God and has required soul searching, hard work, intentionality and clarity of calling. That is why it saddens me when some church people seem to devalue my ordination through the lack of trust; that I have to make great efforts and to be very intentional to prove to them that I know what I am doing...
Posted on: Sun, 08 Jun 2014 03:42:35 +0000