What is ordination?
or·dain \or-dān\ ; to select for or appoint to an office; to invest someone with sacerdotal functions.
The New Testament gives no comprehensive instructions for ordination. Its practice has evolved in Protestant churches since the Reformation as a means of recognizing those called and equipped by God to give their lives to ministry in His Church. Ordination within the C&MA signifies a special calling to ministerial service with responsibility to lead, care for, and build up the flock of God. It follows a period of training and examination as to the ordinand's call, character, gifts, and maturity to rightly handle God's Word.
Ordination as practiced in the C&MA is an act of worship by which the Licensing, Ordination, and Consecration Council affirms these men as chosen and empowered by the Holy Spirit to exercise gifts for ministry within the Church of Jesus Christ. The laying on of hands with prayer invokes God's blessing upon them and sets them apart as servants of God. Through this service God is thanked for providing shepherds for His Church and is petitioned for blessing and power on those called. In gratitude, the people submit themselves to the authority of Christ Himself who has appointed these gifted ones to the ministry.