Today’s Reading, Exodus 28-29
Focal Scripture: Exodus 29:9 “Tie the sashes on Aaron and his sons and fasten headbands on them. The priesthood is to be theirs by a permanent statute. This is the way you will ordain Aaron and his sons.”
Being called by God to minister is a big deal. It is the greatest vocational calling anybody can have in their life. Why do I say that? Because God chose certain people to guide, teach, love and pray for individuals who need to see the God of the Bible. I can tell you personally that being called to pastor is humbling, overwhelming, and terrifying all at the same time. Knowing that I am responsible for explaining truth to individuals who might not hear truth again is intimidating. It requires me to be mentally and spiritually prepared. It also puts a focus on how I live, act, and respond.
In today’s reading we see the instructions that that are given to Aaron as he is called into ministry. He is being ordained (set apart) for a specific purpose. How he lives, how he dresses, how he acts are all testimonies to the God he serves. He will be responsible for taking care of the people’s needs. He will slaughter animals on their behalf. He will enter the most holy place to as God to forgive their sins. Aaron has a heavy duty but it’s also an honor.
I take ordination very serious. It is one of the few things that I disagree with how it’s done in Southern Baptist life. Yes, I agree that the local church should be the main catalyst and initiator. However, I also believe there should be a standard that must be met before ordination happens. Because not every church has high standards. Which then leads to unqualified people being ordained publicly. I have witnessed ordination councils happen an hour before the service and no serious questions were asked. No dive into why they want to be a minister. Zero clarification on theology and basic doctrinal beliefs.
I know when I was ordained my pastor at the time told me to my face before the meeting “My goal is to make this as difficult as possible for you, ministry is extremely serious and I want you to be prepared for it in your context.” The next 3-4 hours I was asked very difficult theological questions. I was challenged on my views of ministry. I was even confronted with scenarios that were uncomfortable. No stone was left unturned and no question was off limits.
I appreciate that experience. It created in me a deep respect for ministry and the process of ordination. I had a healthy fear put into me that I still carry around today. It is time that ordination becomes very serious again in our circles. It should happen when a person is serving in the area God called them to, not just because. I have seen too many student pastors ordained for tax purposes instead of being ordained because they were burdened for students. Certain churches even put a staff together to fill spots instead of affirming calling into that role.
I could continue to go on about this topic but I will save that for another day. Today, I want to challenge churches to make ordination a very serious task. Only ordain men who are burdened for the ministry. Men who love to preach and want to love on every church member. Individuals who take serious the responsibility of life and death. This change will impact our churches and our denomination.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Exodus 30-32
