ORDINATION INTERVIEW
When the Board of Ministry believes you are ready to be interviewed regarding ordination, they will invite you to such an interview. If invited, you will also be asked to complete the “Ordination/Recognition Questionnaire” in advance of the interview. Many of these questions will be familiar to you since they also appear on the “Application for a District Minister’s License” form. Normally, the interview is held well in advance of the district assembly.
The ordination interview itself is similar to the interviews you have experienced in the process of gaining and renewing a District Minister’s License, except this interview is more comprehensive. The District Board of Ministry must be very confident you are fully qualified and ready to be ordained before they can proceed. If you are married, it will be very important for your spouse to attend this interview. His or her own journey of walking alongside you and engaging meaningfully in the life of the local church is of significant interest to the Board. Note: If, to the best of your knowledge, you have completed all of the requirements but are not invited to interview for ordination, you should follow the usual process for the renewal of your district license, assuming you have received the recommendation of your church board.
During the interview, it is hoped you will be able to perceive the love and concern of your District Board for both you and the church. They carry a heavy responsibility in the decision they will soon make. After the interview you will be dismissed and the District Board of Ministry will decide whether or not to recommend you to the district assembly and to the general superintendent. Normally, you will be notified of their decision on the same day as your interview.
Affirming, Yet Challenging
It is hoped this interview process will communicate support and affirmation to you, even though it feels challenging and evaluative. District boards are charged with the responsibility of making sure the church’s ministers are called, well-prepared, and spiritually ready to minister to the people of God and to those who do not yet know Christ. Since this task has such serious, eternal implications, don’t be surprised if the process sometimes seems too intense, too long, too cautious, or too personal. If you have questions about the interview process, before or after the interview, you should talk with your pastor and/or district superintendent. He or she can help you develop perspective on the process.
Should the board, following the interview, decide not to recommend you for ordination at this time, their reasons will normally be communicated to you. Feel free to also ask your pastor, mentor, and/or district superintendent about the board’s decision. Once again, this can be an opportunity for growth.
In 1 Timothy 5:22 we find this caution to the Church: “Do not ordain anyone hastily” (NRSV). Therefore, the process leading toward ordination is unapologetically thorough and deliberative.