Ordination

I was called by The Lord to do ministry many years ago. I was ordained for ministry in my home church – Roley Christian Church in Casey Creek, Kentucky. There have been so many wonderful people cross my path in my years of ministry. I believe that I learned a lot about the Lord while teaching and leading others to know Him.

As I read this passage in Leviticus this morning, I was reminded of my ordination service and others that I’ve been blessed to be part of. Moses is passing on the instructions for the special time of ordination. It’s pretty long and detailed instructions. There were several animals sacrificed. Check this out…

31 Moses then said to Aaron and his sons, “Cook the meat at the entrance to the tent of meeting and eat it there with the bread from the basket of ordination offerings, as I was commanded: ‘Aaron and his sons are to eat it.’ 32 Then burn up the rest of the meat and the bread. 33 Do not leave the entrance to the tent of meeting for seven days, until the days of your ordination are completed, for your ordination will last seven days. 34 What has been done today was commanded by the Lord to make atonement for you. 35 You must stay at the entrance to the tent of meeting day and night for seven days and do what the Lord requires, so you will not die; for that is what I have been commanded.”

36 So Aaron and his sons did everything the Lord commanded through Moses. (Leviticus 8:31-36 NIV)

When I was ordained to formally be set apart for ministry, I remember that there were three elements of the service: a song service, a charge, the laying on of hands by the Elders. There were many times in ministry that I would get discouraged and I would lean into the call of God upon my heart and I would remember the charge at my ordination. I participated in a few ordination services and as I was reading this passage of Aaron’s ordination I reconnected with some of the elements of the charge I gave to my oldest son Andrew when he was ordained. Here are the main charges:

Be a Man Who Leads

Be a Man of God

Be a Man of Vision

Be a Man with Thick Skin & A Soft Heart

Be Man of Perseverance

Be a Man of Hope

I remember that as I gave that challenge, my heart was re-charged to continue serving wherever I could and whenever I could. God’s Kingdom work is a “high and holy calling”. We serve the One Who created everyone and everything. We deliver hope to the hope-less.

I believe that everyone who follows Jesus becomes a minister/servant on His behalf. I don’t think we need to depend upon the “paid professional Pastors/Ministers” to be the hands and feet of Jesus. That calling is upon all Christ Followers. I have noticed that the Lord wants to use me in all sorts of circumstances and situations because I am willing to serve for His sake.

When I surrendered my life to the Lord – I entered a field of ministry on His behalf.

Pressing On!

Dwayne