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Ordination |
Ezra Ministries equips pastors for pastoral leadership
and service as well as evangelism and mission work.
All candidates for ordination must comply with Ezra
Ministries vision and call for ministry and regulations
and must be approved by a Credentials Committee (located
in Halifax, N.S., Canada) before any man or woman
can be ordained under the umbrella of Ezra Ministries.
Rules & Regulations
for Acceptance, Ordination & Dismssal of Ministers
1. What is Ordination
The church of Christ, having been given a divine mandate
and responsibility to stand between God and mankind
reconciling man’s fallen nature into the holiness
of God through Jesus Christ who died and paid the
penalty of sin by humbly and willingly offering Himself
for mankind on the cross at Calvary, has left the
church a God-given decree to select with great caution
those it deems fit to serve in its pastorate list.
Thus, ordination is an appointment of a holy servant
of God who has proven himself able, capable and fit
mentally and spiritually to minister unto the body
of Christ. Ordination can never take place until the
candidate is brought to the altar where he must deliver
his body, life, soul and all his being for the work
of God and to love the brethren. At the altar, hands
are laid on him by loyal servants who have been appointed
to anoint him, (Acts 8:17, 19:6; I Tim 4:14) for the
preaching of the Word of God after receiving power
and authority over the devil and all his hosts on
earth and in the heavenly places, Eph 6:12. It is
at this point that the candidate accepts to leave
all of himself and embrace the great calling of Christ,
to minister to other fellow mankind with love and
integrity.
Therefore, the selection of a pastor and his/her
ordination to serve as overseer is critical to the
spiritual growth or spiritual destruction of a person,
a people, family or families, congregation and or
a society in general. This is the reason why Ezra
Ministries endeavors to carefully check each applicant’s
credentials with diligence to ensure that his/her
character, behavioral manners and spiritual life corresponds
to righteous living as demanded by Christ and as found
in the Scriptures.
2. Who is a Pastor
A pastor is God’s representative called by Him
and equipped by the Holy Spirit to take care of the
flock, oversee the administrative well-being of his
congregation and to demonstrate soundness in teaching
the doctrine of righteousness. Also, he must personally
demonstrate the virtues of his belief not just from
the pulpit alone, but by living a life that manifests
his Biblical knowledge and principles with caution.
It is evident to all men who are diligently reading
the holy scripture, that from the apostles’
time, which succeeded the resurrection of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ and the commission He left
them to continue feeding and taking care of new believers
(lambs) and mature believers (sheep) who combined
are called the church or His bride as found in John
21:15-17, that the call Jesus Christ gave to Peter
was universal, both to this leading figure representing
the twelve disciples in those days as well as to those
who are called today to enter the office of Bishop,
Priest or Pastor and deacons. It is symbolic and resounds
into the hearts and ears of those with the same importance
as on that day when Peter’s mental and spiritual
abilities where examined and confirmed by our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Since this office is so reverently esteemed of God,
no man should presume to execute any of its duties
except he were first called, tried, examined, and
known to possess such qualities as requested by the
Bible to adequately meet the needs of the church.
Therefore, the Credentials Committee of Ezra Ministries
has been authorized and established to examine every
applicant by way of references from people who know
the candidate. Confidential forms are sent to these
references to gather background information about
the candidate. After these are carefully checked,
the Credentials Committee submits their report and
its findings and recommendations to the board of Ezra
Ministries. The board makes the decision without prejudice
as to whether the applicant is accepted or rejected.
No person shall be considered or taken in to fill
the office of a pastor in Ezra Ministries or suffer
it to execute any of the said functions, except it
is evident that he has been called by God, tried by
the governing body of Ezra Ministries or a church
where he serves and attends; has been observed for
many years and admitted by the references he supplied,
has been examined and admitted by the Credentials
Committee and the Board of Directors of Ezra Ministries,
and is in accordance with former or present Biblical
training he/she received from any of the Biblical
colleges we approve.
If he/she has already been ordained in the past by
another body, we request that full information about
his ministerial work be submitted to us.
In cases where an application is sent by a person
who is already ministering to a group of people, our
form for church affiliation entitled, COLLECTIVE CHURCH
AFFILIATION AGREEMENT is sent to each person constituting
the body of elders which must be signed individually
as one of the main requirements for us to accept the
person as a minister.
3. Requirements for ordination:
No-one shall be admitted to fill the office of a pastor
except he/she is 25 years old
or more and unless he has spent four years in a Bible
college studying of same.
Nonetheless, those who have not formally attended
a Bible college can be accepted only if they are approved
and have been recommended by a church and their senior
pastor. The local church where they have served must
file a report with the Credentials Committee at the
Headquarters of Ezra Ministries regarding his work
and detailing the qualities of his faith, ministerial
inclination and achievement, and most importantly,
a life evidenced by the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal
5:25) coupled with a holy character in his doings.
As well, distinguished and exceptional leadership
skills are required from all pastors (1Timothy 3:8-13;
Acts 6:2). They must be 25 years of age and above.
4. Probation Period
In accordance with the information we have collected
from references, every pastor ordained by Ezra Ministries
has a two to four years time of probation after ordination
during which members of his congregation, especially
the elders and deacons are required to report to the
Headquarters about the way he is implementing pastoral
duties in the management and administration of the
church.
The pastor shall be the spiritual overseer of the
assembly and shall direct all of its activities. He/she
shall arrange for all special meetings, convocations
or revival campaigns. He/she shall act as chairperson
of all the business meetings of the Church. He/she
shall be ex-officio, a member of all committees and
departments. He/she shall provide for all the services
of the assembly and no person shall be invited to
speak or preach in the Church without his/her approval.
No congregational or church board meeting shall be
held in his/her absence without a written authorization
from the pastor.
Upon assurance and satisfaction that the pastor’s
work is without reproach, he is officially given the
honor of being fully accredited and fully ordained
by Ezra Ministries by way of a letter dually addressed.
5. Procedures for the Removal and/or Dismissal
of a Pastor
Resignation:
1. A pastor may resign from his ministerial duties
to a congregation by giving one month's written notice
to Ezra Ministries’ Headquarters and to the
governing body of the congregation or the church board
via a letter addressed to the secretary of the church
who in turn immediately notifies Ezra Ministries Credentials
Committee of his reasons for the resignation.
2. The pastor may be removed in keeping with the
provision of Ezra Ministries following these procedures:
1.2 When difficulties have arisen between the
pastor and the congregation which do not involve
his/her credentials but only his/her position as
a pastor and cannot be resolved at a local level;
the pastor, the church board, or a quorum consisting
of not fewer than one third of the regular members
of the church shall have the right to appeal to
the Headquarters of Ezra Ministries.
2.2 If a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached,
Ezra Ministries will call a congregational meeting,
to be presided by the pastor or his/her authorised
representative. A majority vote by members present
shall be required to remove the pastor.
In case of charges which affect the pastor’s
credentials with Ezra Ministries, ie. accusation of
immorality, a refusal to humbly follow rules that
govern his pastoral duties to better serve the people
or in a case of lack of integrity or doctrinal soundness,
charges must be sent to the Headquarters in writing
in order for a thorough investigation to take place.
The letter detailing the nature of the allegations
must be signed by three members who are willing to
appear in person and give testimony concerning the
charges. These charges shall be dealt with according
to the provisions made in Section 15 of Ezra Ministries’
Constitution.
If determined by the investigating committee that
the charges are true and the minister is guilty of
sexual misconduct with a church member, single or
married or is caught in many other controversy or
sinful matters which have wounded others and are going
against the Biblical principals of our Christian faith,
he/she shall immediately be dismissed from his/her
pastoral duties and all rights and privileges vested
upon them as ministerial member will definitely cease
and be removed by the Board of Ezra Ministries.
6. There is no Legal Representation
Let it be known to all our clergy members, ministers,
pastors and/or deacons; and all government authorities
where Ezra Ministries is established and represented
in whatever form that, after an pastor has been temporarily
removed or has been indefinitely dismissed from the
body of its pastors, ministers and/or clergy members,
Ezra Ministries bears no legal obligations or responsibility
whatsoever for the sin, evil act or crime committed
by the dismissed and dishonoured former minister.
From the time a clergy member, a minister, a pastor
and/or deacon is temporarily removed or is indefinitely
dismissed, he/she is relieved and freed of all duties
and is abandoned to deal with the consequence of his/her
own sin(s), alone. The Word of God admonishes us saying:
”Let every soul be subject to the governing
authorities. For there is no authority except from
God, and the authorities that exist are appointed
by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists
the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring
judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror
to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid
of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have
praise from the same. For he is God's minister to
you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he
does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister,
an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
Therefore you must be subject, not only because of
wrath but also for conscience' sake. For because of
this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers
attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore
to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs
to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom
honor. Owe no one anything except to love one another,
for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For
the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery,"
"You shall not murder," "You shall
not steal," "You shall not bear false witness,"
"You shall not covet," and if there is any
other commandment, are all summed up in this saying,
namely, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself."
Romans 13:1-9, NKJV.
“Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities,
to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak
evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all
humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once
foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts
and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful
and hating one another. But when the kindness and
the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing
of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom
He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ
our Savior, that having been justified by His grace
we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal
life. This is a faithful saying, and these things
I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have
believed in God should be careful to maintain good
works. These things are good and profitable to men.
But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions,
and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable
and useless.” Titus 3:1-9 NKJV.
“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance
of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as
supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent
by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the
praise of those who do good. For this is the will
of God, that by doing good you may put to silence
the ignorance of foolish men- as free, yet not using
liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of
God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear
God. Honor the king.” I Peter 2:13-17 NKJV.
Please live and do your ministry when respecting
and honouring the rules of the country and government
where you are ministering
7. What we Expect
Every clergy member, minister, pastor and/or deacon
must take note that Ezra Ministries expects him/her
to live a chaste life, he/she must be holy, pure,
clean of any misconduct and this living a spotless
life as Christ calls His church to be. We expect you
to serve and minister to God’s people with the
highest recommendable level of integrity and to respect
the government as you are admonished in the Scriptures
above. Anything less is inexcusable and will prompt
a dismissal. May the Holy Sprit whisper to your soul
about the level and kind of character we expect to
see you exhibit as a minister through the scriptures
provided below.
“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires
the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one
wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable,
able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not
greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not
covetous; one who rules his own house well, having
his children in submission with all reverence (for
if a man does not know how to rule his own house,
how will he take care of the church of God?); not
a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall
into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover
he must have a good testimony among those who are
outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare
of the devil. Likewise deacons must be reverent, not
double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy
for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a
pure conscience. But let these also first be tested;
then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.
Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers,
temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be
the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and
their own houses well. For those who have served well
as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and
great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
I Timothy 3:1-13 NKJV
“For this reason I left you in Crete, that
you should set in order the things that are lacking,
and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you
if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having
faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.
For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God,
not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to
wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable,
a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy,
self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as
he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound
doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers
and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households,
teaching things which they ought not, for the sake
of dishonest gain.” Titus 1:5-11 NKJV
The Pastor must live an exemplary life; being know
by his congregation as a person full of integrity,
adorned and covered by a good testimony both from
people within and without the church. Any person who
represents God among his people must be virtuous with
a commendable conversation and without crime.
Please note that the simple act of submitting
this application does not already make you a Pastor
with Ezra Ministries; nor does it warrant any formal
association whatsoever with Ezra Ministries. All applications
are examined without prejudice and can be reject.
You became a Pastor with Ezra Ministries only after
your application has been carefully reviewed, examined
and accepted by our Credentials Committee and after
you have been formally ordained by one of our ordination
officers in service dully arranged to ordain our Pastors.
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