In recent weeks we’ve commented extensively on the need to revoke the ordination of pastors who have been convicted of child/sexual abuse. I’m confident our Voices writers and readers agree on that. We have not discussed how that can be done. That thought prompted me to do some research on revoking ordination. I checked the Broadman Minister’s Manual by Franklin Segler, a longtime professor of practical theology at SWBTS. His chapter on ordination is detailed and helpful, but he does not mention revocation. I also consulted W. A. Criswell’s Criswell’s Guidebook for Pastors. His chapter contains lots of good information, communicated in his unique style. Again, Dr. Criswell does not write about revocation. After that, I went to the internet and found a helpful essay on ordination by Leo A. Endel (Executive Director of the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention), posted on the website of the Heartland Church Network. Dr. Endel draws heavily on Segler’s chapter in the Broadman Minister’s Manual, but he adds this on revocation:
In the event that an ordained pastor falls into unrepentant sin that causes shame on the church and our Savior Jesus Christ, the ordained person shall return their ordination certificate to the ordaining church. Charges against a pastor are very serious.1 Timothy 5:19, “Don’t accept an accusation against an elder [pastor] unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will be afraid.” It is the responsibility of pastors (especially those involved in ordaining the pastor in sin) to recommend to the ordaining church that a pastor’s ordination be revoked. It is the responsibility of the ordaining church to fully investigate the charges and revoke the ordination if necessary. Accusations should be handled in the biblical manner Jesus gave us in Matthew 18:15-17.
I’ve been a Bible college and seminary professor for 43 years, and I’ve participated in lots of ordination services, as you can imagine. I’ve also taught Baptist history and heritage.
Here are my thoughts on ordination:
- Churches should be slower to ordain candidates. William Thornton wrote that “some churches would ordain a ham sandwich.” This is only a slight exaggeration.
- Most ministry positions do not require ordination. Pastors and chaplains need to be ordained. The assistant youth director does not need to be. Famously, Charles Haddon Spurgeon was never ordained, and he did pretty well.
- Here in the USA ordinations are authorized and performed by a local Baptist church, but in many countries overseas, ordination falls under the authority of the association or state convention or national convention/union.
- A candidate for ordination should be properly trained for ministry and have been called to a ministry position.
- Candidates for ordination should be thoroughly vetted. We have always questioned the candidate about his doctrinal understanding, but we need to go farther now.
- Ordained pastors disqualify themselves by teaching heresy, joining another denomination, engaging in a pattern of immorality, and committing child abuse.
- Churches who learn of the above should communicate with the ordaining church to alert the ordaining congregation to the problem.
- Associations and state conventions should establish advisory committees to assist churches in conducting proper ordinations and by advising churches on the revocation of ordinations.
- An ordaining church that learns of disqualifying actions should, after adequate investigation, vote to revoke the ordination and publish that information in the state Baptist paper.
- The SBC should create a database that lists ministers who have been convicted of child abuse and financial fraud. Also, this database should include the names of ministers whose ordination was revoked. (The information provided should be extensive enough to avoid the problem of mistaken identity. For example, there are lots of SBC pastors named John Smith.)
As I mentioned, I’ve participated in many ordination services, both in the United States and in the Philippines. I have never recommended that anyone’s ordination be revoked, and I personally do not know of a church that has done this. Nevertheless, I believe that it is time to start cleaning house.
Appreciate the serious look at this and I’ve thought about this in a non-academic way for a long time.
1. Revocation of ordination is like impeachment and conviction. It doesn’t have a detailed rule book. The ordaining church may do this at any time, in any manner, and for any reason.
2. You’re sliding in the database here. It’s still more complicated than it looks. No church is required to report ordinations or revocations of ordinations. Why the limit to convictions of child abuse or financial fraud? Murder? Who creates and maintains the list? How is it supposed to be comprehensive? What if it is not?
3. You failed to mention the main reason a lot of ancillary clergy are ordained: the housing allowance. I doubt the SBC at any level could impose any standard on this but your list is a good as mine.
4. Your number eight is a great idea. Would that such would be done and churches use such.
Even though ordination is a soft doctrine, it’s been neglected seems to me. All levels should pay closer attention and make some noise, provide some instruction and guidance.
I’m seriously considering changing my line “ordain a ham sandwich” to “ordain a turkey sandwich” after seeing that Jeffress, The Little Demagogue, endorsed Paula White’s book.
I think your suggestions here are a significant improvement over the current modus operandi of most Baptist churches. But it raises another important question: How many churches follow that closely the ministry of all those they ordain, so that they will be aware when there is cause for revocation in the first place?
I have thought about this and even posted a blog article about it a number of years ago—but I think the NT does not distinguish between ministerial ordination and ministerial installation in the way we as Baptists typically do. In other words, one’s ordination status hinges on their status as an active, duly recognized minister of a particular church. There is no such thing as ordination to ministry “at large.”
If we followed that line of action, there would be no need for the additional steps you lay out here.
In my number 4 I opined that a candidate for ordination should be called to a ministry position. I agree with you that ordained to “ministry at large” is inappropriate.
What I am suggesting us that whenever a minister resigns their current ministerial post they also hand in their ordination credentials, which are then renewed or reinstated upon accepting a new ministerial assignment.
That is the teaching of early the Baptist theologian, John Gill, in his book Body of Divinity. I tend to agree.
I can see another problem that needs to be addressed here. I know Jesus said by two or three witnesses let every word be established. The Jehovah’s Witnesses are big on this issue because if there is just one witness the abuse didn’t happen and they get to walk away free and clear. This doesn’t apply to only the Jehovah’s Witnesses but to all denominations. I just cannot ignore a cry for help from a child. This is why it’s so important for the pastor’s membership be at the church he pastors. This way he falls under the churches discipline. A careful examination must be conducted and outside authorities must be brought in. Too many ordained preachers slip through the cracks. This situation can be with anyone, not just a child. May God help us if we have to make a judgement like this. I’m a firm believer that a victim needs someone to stand in the gap for them. I personally believe the testimony of a child equals ten good witnesses.
I tend to agree with that. In Baptist polity, ordination is done under the authority of the local church. To be consistent with that polity, when an ordained member leaves one congregation for another, their ordination should be transferred to that congregation, or the new church should ordain them and their old ordination dismissed. So the authority over any ordained minister’s status should belong solely to the church that they are currently serving. If they are not serving a church, they are not ordained. And their ordination is not subject to the authority of a congregation where they are no longer a member.
What about the pastor that uses the Bible to lead a wife astray and stays in the ministry as someone who is protected?
He totally destroyed a family 30 yrs ago, but was still pastoring 4-5 yrs ago
Asking for a friend in Memphis
“Pastors and chaplains need to be ordained”
Do they?
In many states a pastor must be ordained in order to perform weddings. Most chaplains are required to be ordained. This applies to military, VA, and hospital chaplains. Actually, the only pastoral function that requires ordination is performing weddings.
In many cases, prison chaplains need to be ordained. In my state, the chaplain has to be endorsed by his denomination. As a Southern Baptist, this meant getting endorsement from NAMB and as I recall NAMB asked me about when and where I was ordained..
To get the IRS housing allowance, yes. Part of our problem is that “Baptist Ordination” was mostly like a birth certificate, but government and culture treat it like a Driver’s License.
But if we’re going to participate in that system, where everyone thinks it’s a driver’s license, we need to have a way to revoke it. It’s practical, even if we don’t think ordination involves real, ecclesiological authority.
As a life long SB it is my understanding that ordination in the SBC is a local church matter. Other than communication with the local church which ordained a person there is nothing else that can be done by those outside the local church. Also it has been my understanding that Baptist historically have not ordained and that there is no need (biblically) for ordination (as it is now done) to preach the gospel and/or be leader in a local church.
I have no problem and agree with what you have written Mark Terry. Each of these measures could be done I think without stepping on local church authority. With all the communication tools we have in place now in Baptist life we could certainly see most of these points done to some extent. Nothing is going to be fail proof but it would be better than what is currently done. Thank you for this article.