SBC and ABC ordination and recognition

[William Thornton]

[jerryl]

I'm not clergy, but I'll give this a stab.

1) Yes, but even though there is no such thing as an 'ABC Ordination', a non-recognized ordination among ABC clergy might be considered a 'second-class' ordination. But ABC'ers are often in practice 'looser' about these things. Some (many?) ABC churches would probably be more likely to accept a non-baptist ordination (PC-USA, UCC, etc.) as 'good enough' than an SBC church would. And admittadly, in some folks minds there is no distinction between an ABC recognized ordination and the mythical 'ABC Ordination'.

2) Of course, churches have been removed from fellowship from larger SBC bodies because of who they have ordained. (Usully deaconate ordinations, but if they had ordained the same persons as ministers, the dis-fellowship would have occurred even faster.) So, has the ordination of an SBC church's ordination of anyone beside a heterosexual male be questioned as to it's validity, of course it has. And the church doesn't stay SBC very long after that has occurred.

I have also heard of SBC Associations asking a church to 'ask for a person's ordination papers to be returned'. Admittedly this occurred during the 'charismatic scare' of the 70's and 80's, and many folk wondered if this was a proper action to take. But it did occur, and it did bring into question the validity of an ordination performed by a local church.

3) Yep, the ABC-USA at the national level has provided these suggested , created by the The Ministerial Leadership Commission
and The Ministers Council of the ABC-USA. The Regions implement these guidelines and may or may not be 'Conform to Current Suggested National Standard' This gives you an idea of the variation in regional standards.

It's hard to generalize about this but I would say this process includes 1) confirmation of an ATS accredited MDiv with CPE and Baptist history and polity classes, 2) Acceptance of the 'Covenant and Code of Ethics of the Ministers Council of the American Baptist Churches', 3) a 'Candidacy assessment', which is often involves rather rigorous testing and interviewing (in part an attempt to weed out the emotionally unstable, amoung other things).

4) The person will not be listed as recognized in the 'American Baptist Personnel Services Professional Registry'. You can still be listed with sponsorship, but it's a bit of a 'second class listing'. Some churches might not consider you for various positions. It make it harder to get into the 'official' ABC placement process, and it probably takes you out of the running for many denominational positions. (I doubt that you could get a Area Minister (DOM-like) position without a recognized ordination.) Doesn't keep you from elected office in the ABC-USA, regions, areas, associations or anything like that though, (but the higher you go, the more scrutiny you would be under.)

I don't think you could be certified for chaplency or called as a missionary by ABC-USA without recognition.

Hope that helps.

jerryl

[Eric]

[Haruo]

[pjerwin]

[jerryl]

[pjerwin]

[William Thornton]

[William Thornton]

[jerryl]

[jerryl]

[Hal Eaton]

Another musing: I'm vague on details (so what's new?) but I recall Pat Robertson voluntarily (?) rescinding (annulling, cancelling) his ordination papers at the beginning of his ill-fated attempt to become a presidential candidate.

One of our local "SB" churches ordained its pastor who could neither read nor write. Another ordained a man who was under a cloud of suspicion regarding child-molesting (he was later proven to be guilty). I don't know details regarding his possible loss of credentials.

I don't know if I could find my ordination certificate now (my wife probably could), or whether the ordaining church is still in existence. The last time I used it was for my application for the U. S. Navy chaplaincy 55 years ago.

As the old saying goes, ordination papers and a nickel (now $1.25) will get you a cup of coffee.

[Sandy]

I'm guessing that denominational recognition is like a general recommendation which tells churches that this pastor/minister has passed a sort of denominational background check?

From my own perspective, denominational recommendation opens the door for a pastor or minister or missionary for that matter to cross denominational lines if they feel led or called to go that direction. I know some denominations share their clergy, like the UCC and ELCA. I think the Disciples of Christ and some others may be in that mix as well, along with the Alliance of Baptists. Can ABC-USA's ordained ministers cross denominational lines without having to provide additional credentials or do additional study?

[Haruo]

[Haruo]

[jerryl]

[Eric]

[pjerwin]

[Haruo]

[pjerwin]

[jerryl]

[jerryl]