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To: PAR35
Titus 1:5-9; I Timothy 3:1-13.

Yes, of course, church leaders are to be qualified and appointed. I was thinking more of the formal, traditional definition of ordination. You know, n years of schooling at an appropriately accredited seminary, certificate on the wall, etc.

My local church has 3 leaders; all meet the Biblical qualifications (including the one about being the husband of one wife). No degrees, no ceremonies, none of that.

Sorry if I buzzed a little too much when the subject of "ordination" came up. It's likely because I grew up in a very large, traditional church where pomp and circumstance and robes and stoles and the like were front and center, while the Gospel was something those crazy "born-agains" (that's me, now) preached about somewhere else.

11 posted on 01/31/2005 11:58:07 AM PST by newgeezer (Just my opinion, of course. Your mileage may vary.)
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To: newgeezer

Standards for ordination vary greatly between denominations (and I am using that term in its broadest possible sense, since I know that Baptists and Bible Church folks consider themselves non-denominational) and even within denominations. Baptists, as I recall, don't have any requirements for ordination. Presbyterians generally require a seminary education for pastors (but have provisions for waiver of specific requirements). Ruling elders and deacons are required to be trained (usually by the local pastor) prior to ordination, but seminary education is not required.


15 posted on 01/31/2005 12:10:01 PM PST by PAR35
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