[thePilgrim]

Actually I asked the wrong question. I'm distracted by the collapse of the Steelers, even though it should be obvious that a rookie would not do so well in the playoffs.

I should have asked if the Methodists accept the ordination from other denominations. If you don't, then you Methodists also practice a full apostolic succession, claiming exclusive authority to ordain elders even though you call it an ordinace and not a sacrament. If you do, then are there any denominations which you do not recognize ordination?

Christian.

[xzins]

There is no elder in our denomination who has not been through our ordination process.

There are pastors in some of our churches who are not ordained elder.

We have what we call lay speakers, licenced local pastors, and some affiliate (other denominations) pastors....all of whom are "probationary" upon completion of our course of study (5-10 years.)

Upon completing the course of study, they can enter an associate route to ordination.

The primary route to ordination is through designation as a candidate by a local church, completion of seminary and the mentoring requirements for ordination, a probationary ordination, and then full ordination.

I repeat that there is no elder in our system that is not ordained elder by us (or another recognized Methodist or Similar Church.)

An elder for us is NOT a layperson, but is clergy.

[xzins]

I'm distracted by the collapse of the Steelers

Too bad, but what a great year for a rookie. He's from our area (Miami U, Oxford) and we were all pulling for the Steelers.

I always believed, though, that the Steelers were a few years away. They won too many games on a hope and a prayer....testimony to a good leader, but not to a powerful team.

Unfortunately, finishing this high this year will probably slow down their drive to plug their holes on defense and get another back in the tradition of Franco Harris. It almost would have served them better to have lost a few of those close games.

That former starting q-back might be trade bait, though...at least clear up a bit of cash.

[xzins]

Steelers just scored.

2 TDs down with 8 minutes in the 3rd is time enough to make me entirely wrong .... happily 'cause I'm with Roetlisburger.

[RnMomof7]

I should have asked if the Methodists accept the ordination from other denominations. If you don't, then you Methodists also practice a full apostolic succession, claiming exclusive authority to ordain elders even though you call it an ordinace and not a sacrament. If you do, then are there any denominations which you do not recognize ordination?

The methodists in my area are so desperate that they will take people ordained in other churches and let them pastor a church. I have a Catholic GIRL friend that is on staff and preaches in a Methodist church (after she goes to mass of course)