Renewing Our Valuation of Ordination

Let me be clear from the outset that this brief post does not intend to discuss the full scope of ordination for pastors. In fact, I am not really going to delve into the depths of that subject at all. My goal is simply to raise one important angle of reflection on the value of ordination, and the need for a renewed sense of who, and who is not, authorized to serve as a trustworthy guide for the covenant people of God in Christ.

The Pervasive Problem of the Self-Proclaimed Podcast Pundit
First, let's consider our present situation as a society. If you were to open your Facebook feed, or to log onto YouTube, etc. there is no shortage of people ready to tell you what the Bible means, what Christianity is all about, how you should live your life, and why everyone else is wrong. To be sure, lots of people do have wrong understandings of Christianity. But how on earth are we supposed to know who is telling the truth?

The deafening noise of private opinion has been dramatically amplified in recent years. We live in a time where a person's ability to afford a microphone, a camera, and an internet connection has been mistaken for a person's worthiness to stand as an authoritative spiritual guide. In my view, that is a mistake. And I think that if you were to stop and think about it with me for a moment, you might become convinced that it is a mistake too.

Our Unapologetic Requirement For Credentials In Every Other Profession
I want to pose a simple series of questions that are meant to promote reflection and to illumine the primary point I hope to make.

• Would you go to a dentist who had never been trained? Imagine that a person simply read a few books about teeth and gums, and then decided that they felt called to be a dentist. So, they named themself a dentist, bought some dental instruments, and opened up their own shop. Would you call the office and set up an appointment?

• Would you buy a plane ticket for an airline that recruited its pilots with the following advertisement: "Come fly for us! No pilot's license required! No previous experience required! If you think you are a pilot, who are we to question you?" 

• Would you schedule a surgery for your child with a physician who had no formal training and had not been tested by any board? 

The obvious answer to all of these questions is: "No way!" We would not go to such a dentist, or fly on such a plane, or entrust our children to such surgeons. And the reason we would not do this is because the people involved in each of these cases have not been properly trained, tested, and externally authorized to operate in such a capacity.

Please understand, this is not a judgment of motive. The self-proclaimed dentist may have the very best of intentions. Likewise with the pilot and surgeon. But the inexperience, lack of proper education, and absence of any external testing prior to engaging in the field is sure to yield painful results.

Which Is More Important? Your Teeth Or Your Soul?
If we can see the need for education, training, and external approval in the care of our oral health, how much more should this be true for those whom we entrust with the care of our soul? We know that the care of our bodies requires the skill of trained personnel. We know that flying at a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet is not something we should do with just anyone at the helm. For goodness sake, we don't even let untrained people work on our cars! Why, then, have we forgotten that the shepherding of our eternal souls is, likewise, not a haphazard endeavor?

To be sure, the care of the body is something to be valued and is important—for a time. But the care of the soul is of supreme value, and bears implications that shall echo down through eternity. For this reason, I want to argue for a renewed commitment among Christians to choose carefully whom they will listen to and submit to for spiritual guidance.

Choose Your Spiritual Guides Wisely
Passion can be attractive. Eloquence can be convincing. Having a polished media platform can suggest the illusion of knowledge, authority, and importance. But we must remember that what actually matters in the spiritual guidance of our souls is that the truth of God's Word is being properly set forth. Therefore, we should be committed to entrusting the primary care of our souls only to men who have been properly trained, tested, and externally authorized. That is, to men who have been legitimately ordained to the ministry.

Let me briefly note two things about what I just said, lest my goal be misunderstood.

1. First, the word primary above is important. My assertion of the value of ordination is not intended to negate or devalue the faithful ministries of laymen and laywomen all over the world who are serving under the spiritual authority of their local churches. The people who I believe should be called into question are the rogue self-proclaimed spiritual guides who are not operating under the authority of anyone but themselves.
   
   
2. Second, while the need for the legitimate ordination of church officers is clearly set forth in many places in God's Word, the exact process of how that might take place is not. This means we cannot be overly dogmatic about the how. While some processes may be more wise than others, I am not arguing here for a specific form of ordination. I am simply arguing for legitimate spiritual training, testing, and external authorization to regain its place as the norm and rule for who Christians accept as their spiritual guides. 

Conclusion
To be sure, Podcasts, YouTube channels, and the like can be used positively and provide wonderful ministry in the name of Christ. I have personally benefited from many and I praise God for access to them. But they also can be, and in far too many cases are, unhelpful guides for the true spiritual flourishing of the Church.

Let's turn down the volume of the self-proclaimed podcast pundits and turn up the volume on the duly ordained ministers who faithfully proclaim God's Word week in and week out from the sacred pulpits of the local churches they serve. There is much wisdom, safety, and spiritual blessing to be found in this ancient practice of the Church.