I’m currently in the process of seeking ordination in the Evangelical Free Church of America. Actually, in one sense, I’ve been in this process since 2006. The EFCA has a two-tier ministerial credentialing process that requires those seeking Ordination to first be “Licensed” for ministry.I began writing a paper for a 3-Year EFCA Ministerial License in 2006 and received the license in 2007. But my 3 year time frame was “paused” because I entered seminary at TEDS later in 2007 and after graduation found a ministry position in a Baptist church. In God’s providence, our church merged with another congregation that was part of the EFCA, so I came back into the Free Church in 2012.

However, during my time in seminary, the EFCA updated its Statement of Faith and added more length to the Ordination paper. So, I’m reworking and expanding my original paper to meet these new requirements. This arduous and time-consuming process has made me question its usefulness more than once. Honestly, it’s a burden. I’m trying to give my energy to my church and the ministries I’m involved in…but I keep having to stop what I’m doing to write this paper and prepare for my Ordination council. It feels a little redundant at times, given that I’ve already completed a seminary degree through the EFCA.

But upon further reflection, I’ve realized that a robust Ordination process is actually a blessing. It pushes me to further study. It protects our churches from ministers who haven’t put in the time and effort to work out their theology. And it provides a certain level of consistency in the theological proficiency of anyone who is credentialed through the Free Church. That way, when a church is looking for a pastor they can rest assured that if he’s been Ordained through the EFCA then he’s been put through the paces. Ministers may be Ordained through local churches in many denominations, but I’m not sure that such a process is a thorough test for those involved. But the EFCA’s process provides growth for the pastor and service to the churches.

As I continue to work on my paper, I plan to post a few things in the upcoming months related to the process I’m going through as I focus on my theological foundation.