so, while i was in colorado for christmas break, i had a really good conversation with a friend of mine about ordination. he said that he doesn't believe in ordination. after reflecting on that quite a bit over the past few weeks, i've realized that not only do i believe in ordination, but i think we should do it more!
the process of ordination in the elca (evangelical lutheran church in america) involves both individual and communal discernment and it is definitely a process. the way it has worked (so far) for me is that i discerned god's call for me to ordained ministry in the elca. this meant that i needed to go to seminary. my discernment of call, however, was not enough. it had to be accompanied by the discernment of a greater community, so i went to my church. i told them i felt god calling me to ordained ministry and i asked for their support. there were some who had been encouraging throughout my life, but my church had to come out and publicly support and affirm my call to ministry.
once those two steps happened, we started the candidacy process, a series of interviews throughout my seminary career, during which we explore where my strengths are, how i'm growing, and where my areas for growth are. this is done with a candidacy committee from my synod (the rocky mountain synod) made up of lay and ordained leaders of many walks of life.
so, it's along and involved process, yes, but it is such an important process. i am lucky to be looking forward to a job/career/vocation in which not only i can see myself, but my church and my friends and family can see me. my call is not my own. it is not just between me and god, but it incorporates the larger body of christ as well. having a long and involved process means that i have a lot of people supporting me and affirming god's call in my life.
so, i believe in ordination and i think it should happen way more often than it does. how different would it be if we as a church family ordained the teachers in our midst, affirming their gifts to teach and nurture the growth of children? how different would it be if we ordained the child care providers both at our church and those who provide child care outside of our church setting? how much more supportive and loving could we be as a church if we ordained others and affirmed their gifts for the variety of ministry (though oftentimes unacknowledged as ministry) they do each day?
