What is the difference between ordain and licensed

Ordaining and Licensing

What is the difference?

Definition of ORDAIN

transitive verb

to invest officially (as by the laying on of hands) with ministerial or priestly authority

I have been asked by some of our churches if they have right to ordain. My answer is an absolute yes. I would suggest that you be very specific in ordination as to the specific ministerial task you are stating the person is “prepared,” “qualified,” and “called” to do. Pastors Billy and Chrystal Welch set forth a young lady as an “Ordained Worship Leader.” This ordination should also carry a caveat that this ordination is only for the limited time that the person is a member in good standing with the local church who set them forth. You may ask why the caveat? You are “investing” your integrity and reputation into this person. God forbid, but what if that person falls into moral sin? The “Disciples of Christ” denomination found this out the hard way when they gave a permanent ordination to Jim Jones who took over 900 of his followers to their death through a mass suicide. When the news broke the news media took great joy in stating that he was an ordained minister with the “Disciples of Christ,” even though he previously denounced much of what the Disciples of Christ stands for and believes as their tenets of faith.

Though the local church can ordain they cannot license. Licensing is the legal action of a denomination which says this minister is prepared, qualified and called to do the of the ministry in any of the churches or affiliated organizations that recognize each other and their ordained ministers.

Most hospitals, shelters, and jails require a licensed minister to interact with clients. Minister Fellowships such as ours (Full Gospel Restoration Ministers and Churches) that say we are non denominational still would qualify as a denomination by Webster’s definition in that we are a group of ministers and churches that are in “unity of belief” that it is the Holy Spirit who dictates our understanding of the Holy Scripture beyond the essentials of the Christian Faith.

The question is asked then, who should be licensed rather than locally ordained? If the minister’s work is totally within the confines of the church walls then local ordination is adequate. If the minister’s work involves outside ministries (nursing homes, hospitals, jail, or dealing with the community involving the public relations of the church) or desiring full time ministry in the future, then the minister should be licensed.

How important is the pastor in the licensing process? Answer: Extremely, even if a person is licensed through FGRMC as a licensed lay minister, or a licensed minister; they are still accountable to their pastor and his or her ministry is still answerable to the pastor. For instance if a church started a satellite church and placed one of their pastors over the church even though the pastor was an FGRMC licensed ordained minister he/she would still be answerable to the senior pastor. Should a licensed minister with FGRMC feel called to begin their own church; FGRMC polity calls for the church be at least 50 miles from the church they are leaving unless the pastors agree that sufficient distance is between the churches as to not cause a division or split in the initial church. This only applies to a minister leaving a church to start their own work. It does not prevent another minister with FGRMC from starting a work in the same or next town if the population justifies it.

Licensed Gospel Worker or Licensed Lay Minister—This designation is appropriate for the occasional preachers, Bible college students, Sunday school teachers, Bible Study leaders, Christian musicians, church secretaries, nursing home ministry, jail or prison ministry, and all those with specialized and/or non-pastoral ministries. Being commissioned as a Gospel Worker will authorize you preach, hold Bible studies, and conduct prayer and healing services. Gospel worker and Lay Minister must be under a pastor and a FGRMC minister. (This time applies to the experience requirement for those desiring to be in some type of full time ministry in the future.)

LICENSED MINISTER -- Appropriate for those who are required to preach, administer the Lord's Supper, baptize, and otherwise fulfill the role of a Christian Minister. A licensed minister is considered to be a full-fledged minister of the Gospel by FGRMC. Authorized to preach, lead worship services, officiate at the Lord's Supper, baptize, conduct weddings and funerals under his pastor’s direction and approval. A licensed minister must have completed the Ministerial Internship program or some other form of accepted Biblical Education or two years of service prior to his/her license becoming permanent. Unless pastoring their own church a licensed minister must be a member in good standing of the local church.

ORDAINED MINISTER -- An ordained Minister is an individual who is fully trained and experienced for the Christian Ministry. This is signified by a public act of the laying on of hands by duly authorized FGRMC representative (s). In order to be eligible for ordination by FGRMC, you must either (1) been previously ordained by some other recognized Christian group. (2) been a licensed minister of the FGRMC for at least one year of three years of full time ministry. All candidates for ordination must sit for a written and /or oral examination designed to determine their ability to present and defend the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

ORDAINED BISHOP -- An ordained bishop is an individual who is fully trained and experienced for the Christian Ministry. This is signified by a public act of the laying on of hands by duly authorized FGRMC representative (s). In order to be eligible for ordination by FGRMC, you must either (1) been previously ordained by some other recognized Christian group. (2) been a licensed minister of the FGRMC for at least three years of five years of full time ministry. Only ordained Bishops may hold office in FGRMC.

I pray this clears up some of the differences in ordaining and licensing and why we need both in order to go into all the world and preach the gospel.

SPECIAL NOTE FOR FGRMC PASTORS: We have an ordination template we can email you…just email us fgroffice@gmail.com