Ordained into Pastoral Ministry through the Laying on of Hands

Well, I was prayed over by the elders and formally received into the fellowship as Elder/Pastor on May 11. I appreciate the prayerful support of all and appreciate the specific prayers of my fellow elders.

Just in case some of you are wondering what the whole laying on of hands thing is about…it is found in scripture as both an affirming and imparting act of those brought into leadership. One such example of the affirming aspect of laying on of hands is found when the very first deacons were received into the church, found in Acts:

 Act 6:1-7 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. (2) And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. (3) Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. (4) But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (5)And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. (6) These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. (7) And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

As for an imparting blessing through the laying on of hands, we have the example of Paul and elders over Timothy as recorded in 1 and 2 Timothy:

1 Tim 4:12-16 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (13) Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. (14) Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. (15) Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. (16) Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

2 Tim 1:5-7 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. (6) For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, (7) for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

I know that this is a very brief survey of Scripture on this matter, but I do want to affirm that what took place when the elders laid their hands on me was not some mere formality…but was an affirmation of my call into ministry and to Sovereign Grace Fellowship in particular, as well as an impartation of God’s blessing upon myself and ministry here.

 

I am humbled and look forward to serving the wonderful people of Sovereign Grace. I vow to fan the flame within me to better serve God’s people for His glory and I also pray that God would fan the flame within us all so that we might edify one another for God’s glory!!!