¶9.1 The ordination service should be conducted at the General Conference.

The General Superintendent shall read and exhort from the following:

Ephesians 4:3,7-8,11-15.

John 10:11-13.

John 21:15-17.

Jeremiah 3:15

The General Superintendent shall call those to be ordained to the altar and introduce them by name.

“These are they whom we purpose, God willing, to ordain Elders. After examination and observation, we find strong evidence that they are called of God to this highest level of ministerial ordination, and they are persons qualified for this office. But if there be any of you who knows any valid reason any one of them should not be received into this holy ministry, let him come forth in the name of God and show what the impediment is.”

“Brethren, do you see the work of your calling? ‘for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, unto the full knowledge of the Son of God – by speaking the truth in love?’”

“That when you are a ‘good shepherd’ you care for the sheep and will give your life for their eternal salvation. But if you do not really care for the sheep, then you are an hireling and will abandon them in time of danger or difficulty. Your profession here tonight, says you do it for the love of God and His people, never as paid employment.”

“Do you see that if you truly love the Lord Jesus Christ, you shall ‘feed’ His lambs and sheep?”

“And that if you are truly called to this holy office, then you are a ‘Pastor/Shepherd’ according to God’s own heart, and you shall ‘feed’ God’s people with knowledge and understanding?”

“We expect you have pondered and weighed both the importance and responsibility, as well as the great honor and privilege of this office whereunto you are called of God.”

“And now before this congregation of Christians here assembled, you shall answer plainly to these things which we, in the presence of God, and in the name of His Church, shall require of you.”

Question: “Have you experienced the new birth, having received Jesus Christ into your spirit by repentance and faith?”

Answer: “Yes, I have.”

Question: “Presently, are you in a continuing right relationship with God – walking in the “narrow way” which alone leads to eternal salvation?”

Answer: “I am.”

Question: “Do you believe by conviction that the Holy Scriptures contain all truth necessary for eternal salvation through faith in Christ? And will you teach nothing as God’s truth but that which you are persuaded may be concluded from the Holy Scriptures and proved thereby?”

Answer: “I do so believe and have so determined.”

Question: “Will you, with all faithful diligence, seek to recognize, expose and drive away all erroneous teachings contrary to God’s Word?”

Answer: “I will, God being my helper.”

Question: “Are you aware that Christ has said: ‘One thing is needful?’ And do you understand that the ‘one thing’ is to attain unto the knowledge and understanding of God to the extent He has revealed Himself to His people?”

Answer: “Yes, I am aware of His statement, and do so understand His meaning.”

Question: “Do you believe God has willed and provided for you, and for all Christians, to be conformed to the moral image of His Son in this present life? And that this moral image is the progressive and ultimate result of the attaining of the true knowledge and understanding of God?”

Answer: “Yes, I do so believe.”

Question: “Are you convinced by God that He willed the organization and existence of the Bethel Methodist Church?”

Answer: “I am so convinced.”

Question: “Do you have a basic understanding of the message of The Bethel Methodist Church?”

Answer: “I do.”

Question: “Do you believe by conviction that our theology is in harmony with God’s written Word?”

Answer: “I do so believe.”

Question: “Will you, in love, wisdom and courage, preach, teach and maintain the theology of our church?”

Answer: “I will, God being my helper.”

Question: “Do you agree with, and appreciate, the attitude and resolve of our church that all the Bethel Methodist Church shall preach, teach and embrace as God’s truth shall be open to; QUESTION, to careful EXAMINATION, to proper CHALLENGE and to CHANGE when found to be somewhat true, but not fully or precisely so? And to REMOVAL if it is proven to be error?”

Answer: “I strongly agree with, and have deep appreciation for this attitude and resolve of our church.”

Question: “Are you knowledgeable of the form of church government, organizational structure and discipline of our church? Do you approve and support all of these?”

Answer: “I am knowledgeable, and I do approve and support all of these.”

Question: “Do you desire and agree to attend, participate in and contribute to our regular and continuing ministerial training program?”

Answer: “Yes I do, as God gives me opportunity.”

Question: “Will you, by reason, honesty and humility submit to the authority of those ministers unto whom God, through His people, has committed the charge and government over you; following with a glad mind and will their admonitions which are within the love and will of God?”

Answer: “I will, God being my helper.”

Question: “Are you determined, by the grace of God, to bring all the people God shall place under your ministry into the fullest possible knowledge and understanding of God according to the revelation of Himself through the holy scriptures.”

Answer: “Yes, I am determined to do so.”

Question: “Will you faithfully love the people God shall place under your responsibility by ministering to their needs, according to the will and grace of God, both publicly and privately?”

Answer: “I will, God being my helper.”

Question: “Will you be diligent in prayer, in studying the Word of God, and in all studies which help in the knowledge and understanding of our Lord?”

Answer: “I will, by the help of God.”

Question: “Is it your conviction that God has called you, and ordained you, to the office of elder in His Church, and do you understand it to be a full-time and life-long ministry?”

Answer: “It is my conviction and I do so understand.”

Question: “Are you decided and committed to occupy and exercise this office of elder as God gives you direction, place, and opportunity?”

Answer: “I am so decided and committed.”

“May Almighty God, who hath given you this will to do all these things, grant also unto you strength and power to perform the same; that He may accomplish His work which He has begun in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Prayer by General Superintendent.

With the Man kneeling:

The General Superintendent with other selected elders shall lay their hands together upon every one to be ordained. (Each one ordained should hold a Bible in his hands.)

The General Superintendent shall say:

“We hereby acknowledge and ratify that Almighty God has called and ordained you, giving you authority to preach and teach His Holy Word, to administer the sacraments of His church, and to be His instrument in leading His people into the true knowledge and understanding of Him, unto eternal salvation. The Lord give unto you the power of His Holy Spirit for the work of this office now confirmed unto you by the laying on of our hands. Be a faithful dispenser of the Word of God, and of His holy Ordinances; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”