God will periodically give people new chapters in life—moments that cause us to pause, reflect, reset, and refocus. Last weekend was one of those moments for me. By God’s grace, I was ordained into the gospel ministry, and I am still overwhelmed by the kindness of the Lord in allowing me to serve Him.
Ordination is difficult to put into words. It is joyful, humbling, encouraging, and sobering all at the same time. It is not something I view as an arrival point, but as a reminder of the grace of God and the responsibility of the calling He has placed on my life. I walked away from last weekend with a heart full of gratitude—gratitude to the Lord, gratitude for His Word, gratitude for the ministry, and gratitude for the people He has used to shape my life.
What Ordination Means
Ordination is the public recognition of God’s call on a man’s life for the work of the ministry. It is not what creates the call. God does the calling. Ordination is when that calling is examined, affirmed, and recognized by the church.
In many ways, ordination is both a confirmation and a charge. It confirms that God has been working in a person’s life and that his doctrine, testimony, and calling have been carefully considered. But it is also a charge to move forward with seriousness, humility, and faithfulness.
Biblically, we see this pattern in the early church. Men were set apart for ministry through prayer and the laying on of hands. In Acts 13, when Barnabas and Saul were sent out for the work God had called them to, the Bible says:
Acts 13:2–3
“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
That passage has been on my mind. The work was God’s work. The calling was God’s calling. But the church recognized it, prayed over it, and sent them forward.
That is what made last weekend so meaningful to me.
A Moment of Gratitude
As Pastor Yannizzi preached and gave the charge, I was reminded again that ministry is not about a title, a position, or a moment. It is about faithfulness to Christ and service to people. His words challenged me to take this calling seriously, to keep my heart right with God, and to remember that the work of the ministry must always flow out of a genuine walk with the Lord.
Paul’s words to Timothy have been on my heart:
1 Timothy 4:16
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them…”
Before I can faithfully serve others, I must continually allow God to work in me. Before I preach truth, I must submit myself to truth. Before I encourage others to follow Christ, I must keep my own heart tender toward Him.
A Biblical Responsibility
Ordination also carries with it a deep sense of responsibility. Moving forward, it is a reminder that the ministry is not something to be handled casually. God’s Word must be handled carefully. God’s people must be loved sincerely. God’s calling must be stewarded faithfully.
Paul told Timothy:
2 Timothy 4:2
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
That is the work. To preach the Word. To hold fast to sound doctrine. To serve with patience. To care for souls. To stay faithful when ministry is joyful, and to stay faithful when ministry is heavy.
Ordination does not mean that a man has arrived. It means he has been entrusted. It is a reminder that any ability, opportunity, or usefulness comes from the Lord.
1 Corinthians 4:2
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
That word “faithful” captures what I desire for this next chapter.
Grateful for Those Who Invested
I am so thankful for the people God has placed in my life along the way. I think of pastors, teachers, mentors, friends, and church family who have encouraged me, prayed for me, corrected me, invested in me, and pointed me back to Christ.
No one arrives at a moment like this alone.
I am especially thankful for my wife, children, and parents. Their love, patience, support, and sacrifice mean more than I could ever express. Ministry touches the whole family, and I do not take lightly the way they walk beside me in this calling.
Moving Forward by Grace
More than anything, I am thankful to Christ.
Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 1:12 express my heart:
1 Timothy 1:12
“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;”
Last weekend marked a new chapter, but my prayer is that it will be a chapter of deeper surrender, greater humility, and steady faithfulness. I want to love Christ more, serve people better, handle His Word carefully, and remain faithful to the calling He has given me.
God has been so good.
And by His grace, I simply want to be faithful.
