Central Florida Jurisdiction COGIC Number 1

 

 Ordination Board Policies and Procedures (89 KB)

 

 

Elder Jacob D. James, Chairman
Bishop Rushie L. Dixon, Jurisdictional Prelate

 

ORDINATION BOARD MEMBERS

Elder Jacob D. James – Chairman
Pastor – The Body of Christ Assembly COGIC; Lake Butler, Florida

Superintendent (Dr.) Detroit R. Williams – Ass’t Chairman
First Administrative Assistant to Bishop R.L. Dixon
Pastor – Williams Temple COGIC; Gainesville, Florida

Elder Allen Colbert, Sr. – Secretary
Administrative Assistant; Williams Temple COGIC; Gainesville, Florida

Superintendent Reginald L. Williams – Board member
Pastor – Jones Temple COGIC; Williston, Florida

Elder Dwight Brisbane – Board Member
Pastor – Higher Ground COGIC; Jacksonville, Florida

 

I. MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Ordination Board is to serve at the discretion of the Jurisdictional Prelate, for the selection and approval of qualified ministers who embrace the Doctrine of the Church of God in Christ; to be “Ordained” by the Jurisdictional Prelate, for Ministry in the Church of God in Christ, and the world at large, with the Good News of Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers.

II. PASTORAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Each pastor must play an important role in the Ordination Process. The acquisition of knowledge is not the ultimate criteria for recommendation for Ordination. There are social, spiritual and emotional issues that must be considered in the recommendation process. It is expected that a Pastor knows his flock; and must take the oversight, and responsibility of recommending persons he believes is duly qualified, to the Ordination Board for consideration.

III. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE
The Ordination Board DOES NOT ordain, but rather examines by question and/or exercises as to the fitness or qualifications as set by the discipline of the Church of God in Christ. The major purpose and objective is to select qualified men for ordination, who can help “perfect the saints for the ministry,” and reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

IV. PROCEDURE:

A letter of recommendation, by the Pastor, Superintendent or Bishop must be received by the Ordination Board, prior to examination.

A. The letter of recommendation will be validated by the Ordination Committee.
B. The candidate for ordination will be issued an official invitation, giving time, place and procedures for the examination.
C. Each pastor will be given the prerequisites and levels of expectation for the candidate for ordination.
D. The ordination candidate will be given an oral and written examination on all predetermined levels of expectations, and may be asked to give demonstration and/or illustrations of certain procedures or ordinances.
E. The candidate who meets all levels of expectation will be recommended to the Jurisdictional Prelate for Ordination.

 

The success of the gospel preaching and teaching ministry depends heavily on one’s spiritual, academic, and emotional development. Acquisition of knowledge is not the sole criteria by which one should be measured, or predict, or assure, their success in the preaching and teaching ministry. However, it is the Pastor’s duty and responsibility to expose, train, and develop those persons under his/her leadership to sharpen their talents and gifts for the work of ministry.

The work and ministry of the candidate for ordination is primarily to “convince, convict, and convert” the sinner; encourage, exalt, edify, and perfect the saint for the work of ministry. Please keep in mind that the Ordination process does not qualify one to preach or teach the gospel. You were chosen in your mother’s womb, before you were born. The major purpose and objective of the Ordination Board is to select qualified men who embrace the doctrine and polity of the Bible as set forth and interpreted by the Church of God in Christ.

The Ordination process is to publicly state to the world that you have met the standards of the Church of God in Christ in Christian Character, emotional development, acquisition of Biblical knowledge, and the ability to communicate the same to others. Now, this will be proclaimed by the laying on of hands of the presbytery (elders) of the Church as directed by the Jurisdictional Prelate.

 

Below is an outline of classes and discussions the Ordination Board would like to share with each candidate for ordination. These classes and discussions will be held during the State Jurisdictional Meetings in March and August. However, the ordination candidate’s Pastor has the primary responsibility of training by examples, classes, illustrations, practice and/or exposure in the following areas of ministry:

• THE ORGINAZIONAL STRUCTURE, ECHELON, AND PROTOCOL OF THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST.

• BASIC DOCTRINES OF THE BIBLE
  Ordinances and Memorials (Baptism. Communion, Feet Washing)

• EXPOSITORY AND EXEGETICAL PREACHING AND TEACHING

• MINISTERIAL ETIQUETTE, ETHICS, POLLITY AND PIETY
  Dress, Pulpit, Funerals, Hospital and Home Visitations

• COUNSELING AND ADVISING (Learn the difference)
  Premarital Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Divorce and Remarriage

• ASSUMING THE PASTORATE OF AN ESTABISHED CHURCH

• DEVELOPING A NEW MINISTRY (CHURCH)

• ACCEPTING MEMBERS FROM ANOTHER CHURCH

• CHAIRING A BUSINESS MEETING

• MORALITY ISSUES AND SEX
  Premarital sex and Teenage Issues, Abortion, Homosexuality

• CIVIC RESPOSSIBILITIES
  Marriage Documentation with the court, Political Endorsements, and Voting

I. THE “CANDIDATE”
The work and ministry of the candidate for ordination is primarily to “convince, convict, and convert” the sinner by preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. It would not be too presumptuous to assume that the candidate is “Saved, Sanctified, and Holy Ghost filled.”

Qualifications of Ministers
Titus 1:6-9 says: “(6) If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. (7) For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; (8) But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; (9) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”

II. CHRISTIAN CHARACTER (Morality – standards – family – reputation)
The Pastor must take the oversight in recommending candidates of solid character. He must embrace Biblical standards of Holiness.

III. EXAMINATION
The candidate will be examined by oral and/or illustrations, demonstrations and written examination in the following areas:

A. Organizational structure and echelon of the Church of God in Christ.
B. Statement of Faith of the Church of God in Christ
C. Doctrines of the Church of God in Christ:
    1. Salvation
    2. Sin
    3. The Authority of the Scripture
    4. Demons
    5. Hell
    6. Faith
    7. Redemption
    8. The Church
    9. Baptism of the Holy Ghost
    10. Angels
    11. Heaven
    12. Justification
    13. The Trinity
    14. Water Baptism
D. Sermon Preparation and homiletics
    1. Textual
    2. Topical
    3. Expository Teaching
    4. Exegetics
E. Administration of the Ordinances of the Church of God in Christ
    1. Baptismal Service
    2. The Lord’s Supper
    3. Feet Washing
F. Counseling and Pastoral Advice -- (Know the difference) subjectivity and objectivity.
    1. Pre-Marital Counseling
    2. Marriage Counseling
    3. Dissolution of Marriage (divorce)
    4. Resolving Church conflicts
    5. Teenage issues – sex, drugs
    6. Abortion and children out-of-wedlock
G. The Marriage Service:
    1. Legal and Civil requirements
    2. Spiritual prerequisites
H. Funeral Service
    1. Preparation and Planning
    2. The Eulogy
    3. Internment
    4. Post-visitation
I. Stewardship: Time, Talent, Treasury (Local, District, State, National)
J. Ministerial etiquettes and ethics
K. Your Gift: Calling and Anointing (Apostle, Pastor, Evangelist, Prophet, Helper)
L. Church membership
M. Leadership, Follow-ship, Submission
N. Assuming the pastorate of a church