Ordination/Commission Process

Upper Columbia Conference

Our Statement of Purpose and Process for Advancing a Candidate for
Ordination/Commission into the Gospel Ministry of the Seventh -day Adventist Church

Our Philosophy
One of the most sacred duties of the Church of Christ on earth is the sacrament of the laying on of hands
for the purpose of setting individuals apart for the work of pastoral/gospel ministry in behalf of God's
Church. Though ordination/commissioning “conveys no special powers upon the recipient, it does
impose solemn responsibilities” upon the candidate, and for this reason is not to be lightly regarded.
"Their time, talents, and lives are to be dedicated to Him without reservation, for they are His
mouthpiece and representatives of His church". Seventh-day Adventist Minister's Manual, p. 78.

The licensed minister is ordinarily ordained/commissioned “to the gospel ministry after he(she) has
satisfactorily fulfilled a period of pastoral/evangelistic service during which time he(she) has given
evidence of his(her) call to the ministry. The spiritual rite of ordination(commissioning) constitutes the
official recognition by the Seventh-day Adventist Church of his(her) divine call to the ministry as a life
commitment. Ibid. p. 75

Process Goals
The process of becoming ordained/commissioned to the Seventh-day Adventist gospel ministry in the
Upper Columbia Conference is an intentional, participative process typically covering the first 4 to 5
years of full-time employed pastoral experience.

During this process the pastoral interns will be exposed to a number of learning opportunities intended
to help them understand pastoral practices, issues, and internalized pastoral philosophies.

The goals of the Upper Columbia Conference pre-ordination/commissioning process are:

• To provide an atmosphere where a beginning/developing pastor can forge a personal, biblically
based philosophy of pastoral ministry, and a spiritual life which will provide its energy;
• To expose a developing pastor to a wide variety of ministry experiences within a supportive
framework of mentorship
• To encourage in a developing pastor a growing sense of professionalism and build habits for life-
long professional growth and development
• To provide a safe and collegial setting where the pastor can be observed as well as share his or
her positive or negative experiences, to gain support from other pastors in similar
circumstances, and to learn skills which will be useful in solving ministry challenges;
• To build a trusting relationship with the conference Ministerial Director which can function long
after a pastor’s participation in the ordination/commissioning process is finished;
• To prepare a developing pastor for ordination and lifetime of pastoral ministry

Most of these goals are addressed through a number of planned interactions including personal
appointments with the Ministerial Director, regular meetings with a senior pastor/mentor and two New
in Ministry retreats each year.

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Prerequisites for Entering the Ministerial Internship Program
Prerequisites to be considered for the Ministerial Internship include:
1. A bachelor’s degree in ministry or theology from a Seventh-day Adventist institution of higher
learning Should the candidate lack this degree, remedial work shall be part of the intern's
program.
2. A professional resume that includes:
a. educational background
b. past work experience
c. perceived spiritual gifts
d. record of involvement in church related activities
e. philosophy of ministry statement
f. contact information
g. ample references including former teachers, lay church leaders, pastors and conference
individuals acquainted with the spiritual journey of the prospective intern.
All applicants are reviewed by conference administration and the UCC Personnel Committee. Qualified
candidates will be recommended to the UCC Executive Committee for acceptance and placement

Note:
• This pastoral pre-ordination/commissioning process is available only to Upper Columbia
Conference full-time pastoral employees and is undertaken with the intended outcome of
ordination to the gospel ministry within the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
• Administrators, departmental personnel, or educators who are deemed eligible for
ordination/commission will be considered for candidacy under a different process.
• Completion of the process and certification by an ordination review committee does not
guarantee ordination/commissioning.

Description of the Internship Program

The Upper Columbia Conference Internship program is designed to work in conjunction with
undergraduate and graduate ministerial training to provide practical experience and context for
developing the seven core competencies of pastoral ministry. What a student has learned in the
classroom and limited practicums during their undergraduate studies will be applied in an internship
under the supervision of a lead pastor. After graduate studies are completed, deepened learning in the
core competencies will be applied again as the pastor serves in their own district with a mentor pastor
available at a distance. This spiral learning process is intended to establish a basic level of competence
in pastoral skills, develop a habit of lifelong learning and professional growth, and instill a Spirit-inspired
confidence to do the work of ministry in the church.

There are several key steps in the typical ordination/commission process. Specific situations may call for
adapting the process for unique circumstances. This training will include, but may not be limited to the
following:

1. Two years of full-time pastoral experience under the supervision of a lead pastor. During
internship, the lead pastor shall:

a. Be a mentor and model to the intern in all aspects of ministry

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 b. Provide the intern ample opportunities to exercise their spiritual gifts in specific ministry
areas
c. Address specific SLO’s as listed on the Adventist Learning Community Mentorship
process with the intern and guide the intern in tracking their learning online through the
Adventist Learning Community.

During internship, the intern shall:

a. Work with their lead pastor in experiencing a broad range of ministry experiences.
b. Track specific skill development and learning opportunities through the Adventist
Learning Community
c. Attend New in Ministry retreats and other pastoral training programs provided by the
conference.

2. An advanced degree such as the Master of Divinity program in the Adventist Theological
Seminary at Andrews University. The intern will receive a stipend and benefits package as per
policy at the time of his/her study leave.

3. Solo pastoral ministry in a church district. During this pastoral assignment the pastor in training
shall:
a. exercise the full extent of pastoral responsibilities such as discipleship training for
members, community engagement and soul winning.
b. conduct a minimum of one series of public evangelistic meetings in which the intern is
the main speaker.
c. Meet with an assigned mentor pastor in the region on a regular basis.

Note:
• It is the desire of the Upper Columbia Conference that the internship will be an enjoyable,
growing experience for the intern and his/her family. Regular on-going communication
between the intern and the conference will facilitate the spirit and success of the internship.
The opportunity to have a safe environment to share issues with others experiencing similar
things and to build a network of fellow pastors who can be an ongoing source of support and
encouragement in the future is well worth your personal investment.
• While the conference administration will consider the needs of the intern's family, the intern
needs to be open to the possibility of relocation and assignment changes which may be needed
to complete the internship program.
• At least once a year you will meet with the Ministerial Director to discuss pertinent issues,
personal issues, professional role issues, or any other issues that may need to be addressed at
that point in the process. The Ministerial Director will occasionally confer with the senior
pastor, where applicable, and perhaps make an appointment to meet with the candidate and Sr.
Pastor if appropriate.
• By the time internship training is complete is it expected that the intern will have grown and
deepened in each of the Seven Core Competencies of pastoral ministry. Progress in these areas
will include but are certainly not limited to experiences listed at the end of this document (See
Appendix 1)

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Final Ordination Review
Upon completion of the internship process the conference administrative team will advance the name
of the candidate for the process of ordination/commission review. This final review will typically begin
approximately eighteen months after a pastor returns from seminary training.

At that time, the candidate’s name will be reviewed by the conference’s standing
ordination/commissioning committee or ADCO. This committee will consider each candidate and
determine whether to recommend the candidate for final ordination review or encourage additional
steps in the mentoring process.

Pastors recommended for final ordination review:

• Are entering into their fourth year of field experience (fifth year without a master’s degree in an
area of religion or theology);
• Have demonstrated an adequate awareness of their purpose and place in ministry;
• Have shown by their work that they are indeed gifted and called to ministry;
• Have faithfully participated in the pre-ordination/commissioning process.

Steps in the Final Review Process

Step 1 – Candidate is notified
After initial verification of completion of the intern program by the conference administrative team, the
candidate is notified that the review process leading toward ordination has begun.

Step 2 – Meet with the Ministerial Director

The Ministerial Director will meet with the candidate to explain the final review process and explain the
contents of the final review packet (See Appendix 2) establish deadlines for material provided by the
candidate.

Step 3 – Church Boards share their insights

Personnel from the administrative team or the Ministerial Department will schedule a meeting with the
elders/and or Church Board of the church(es) pastored by the candidate. The purpose of this meeting
will be to review the work of the candidate in the place of their work assignment and solicit a positive
vote of support for the ordination review.

Step 4 - Conference Ordination Review Committee meets

The ordination review committee will meet with the candidate (and spouse if applicable). This
committee shall meet separately with each candidate and spouse for the purpose of reviewing the
readiness of the ordination candidate. Before any ordination is carried out, there shall be careful,
unhurried and prayerful examination of the candidates as to their fitness for the work of the ministry.
The results of their labor should be reviewed, and satisfactory evidence their Divine calling.

The Ordination Review Committee shall consist of the Conference President, Vice President for
Administration, Ministerial Director, and four ordained/commissioned pastors from within the Upper
Columbia Conference--two of which may be suggested by the candidate.

The committee will evaluation the readiness of the ordination candidate based on the criteria listed at
the end of this document (see Appendix 3)

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Step 5 – Recommendation to UCC Executive Committee
Candidates deemed ready for ordination/commissioning by the Ordination Review Committee will be
recommended to the UCC Executive Committee.

Step 6 – Recommendation to the NPUC Executive Committee

The Upper Columbia Conference Executive Committee, the highest authority of the Upper Columbia
Conference, reviews this recommendation, and upon approval of the committee, records the
recommendation in its minutes and sends the endorsement to the North Pacific Union Executive
Committee for final review.

Step 7 – Approval for Ordination

The North Pacific Union Executive Committee by policy then receives recommendation from the UCC
Executive committee and makes the final decision on ordination/commissioning of the candidate.

Step 8 – Ordination/commissioning to gospel ministry

The administrative officers of the Upper Columbia Conference will conduct the ordination/commissioning
of the candidate. The timing, place, and service program of this sacred ceremony will be planned in
consultation with the candidate.

Statement of Commitment from the Upper Columbia Conference

It is the responsibility of the local conference to make a good faith effort to develop and evaluate new
pastors as they begin their ministry. This process is intended to lift high the sacredness of the act of
ordination/commissioning and to uphold the calling and dignity of the office of the pastor. It is the
desire of the Upper Columbia Conference to pursue noble standards of training, ethics, function, and
spirituality in ministry so that pastoral candidates develop a strong theological base, excellent practical
pastoral skills and a lifetime commitment to professional development. The Upper Columbia
Conference is committed to providing interns and their families with all necessary support to make this
journey a rewarding calling. It is our pledge to stand by the interns and families as friends and mentors
while encouraging and guiding them to reach for the highest ideal that God has ordained for them.

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Appendix 1 – Benchmarks for
Ordination/Commissioning Candidates
In addition, there are certain benchmarks that the intern should be endeavoring to experience in order
to have a thorough training experience prior to ordination/commissioning. These include:

Developing Character
❑ Develop a personal health maintenance plan and spend 90 days monitoring and recording your
time spent in work/family/spouse/self so as to demonstrate balance

Developing Evangelism
❑ Conduct a minimum of two public evangelism meeting in our conference in which the intern is
the main speaker
❑ Develop a new member retention process
❑ Have given Bible Studies to 4 individuals that led to baptism
❑ Have done a Baptismal Class at the school

Developing Leadership
❑ Pastored your own church
❑ Develop a leadership development process
❑ Chair Church Board and have a regular printed agenda
❑ Participate in our New in Ministry Retreats

Developing Worship
❑ Have done a Week of Prayer for a school
❑ Created a sermonic schedule/year

Developing Management
❑ Develop a membership discipleship training process
❑ Develop a communication plan for your church/es
❑ Develop a strategic plan for your church/es
❑ Be consistent with annual CEU reporting
❑ Have initiated a leadership evaluation process
❑ Have designed an organizational system for your church/es

Developing Scholarship
❑ Have completed your M.Div. or Map. Min.
❑ Develop a professional growth plan
❑ Written a sermon series that could be turned into a book
❑ There are several books which are required reading to be completed over the first four years of
experience in the process.

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Developing Relationships
❑ Develop a visitation system/schedule for your church/es
❑ Pastoral home visits (taking elders or deacons with you)
❑ Hospital visitation (taking elders or deacons with you)

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Appendix 2- Final Review Packet Contents
From the Candidate:
• A recent picture of the candidate and their family
• A short bio of the candidate (no more than a paragraph)
• A one-page outline and summary of ministry experience from the beginning of internship to the
present time.
• A 2-4-page paper addressing the following questions
o What is your personal theology of pastoral ministry?
o How has your experience in ministry so far been similar to, or different from, your
expectations in either positive or negative ways?
o What does ordination/commission personally mean to you and how will it impact your
ministry?
o At this point in your ministry, what areas of pastoral work give you the greatest sense of
fulfillment?
o What areas of growth do you see in your ministry?

From Mentors
• A short summary of the mentorship relationship with the candidate and any words of evaluation
and encouragement they might wish to offer

From the Ministerial Director

• Summary statements from the current church boards where the candidate is pastoring
• Report on Learning Progress from the Adventist Learning Community/Ministerial Intern
Handbook

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Appendix 3- Criteria for Consideration by
the Ordination Review Committee
1. Acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior and evidence of conversion experience.
2. Definite call to the ministry and commitment to the gospel ministry as a life calling.
3. Belief in and knowledge of the Scriptures, and acceptance of the Bible as God's word and rule of
faith.
4. Understanding and full acceptance of the doctrinal beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
and the importance of proclaiming these to the world.
5. Consistent personal prayer life and devotions.
6. Spiritual stability.
7. Social maturity.
8. Aptness as a teacher of truth.
9. Ability to lead souls to Christ.
10. A life of consistent exemplary Christian conduct.
11. An exemplary family.
12. Cooperative attitude and confidence in the organization and function of the church.
13. Experience in various kinds of ministerial responsibilities, such as personal evangelism, public
evangelism, preaching and leading worship, recruiting and training of volunteers, handling
church discipline, conducting special services (baptisms, weddings, baby dedications, and
funerals), organization and administration, problem solving and conflict resolution, commitment
to Christian education, counseling intervention skills, stewardship practices, etc.
14. Completion of ministerial internship.

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Appendix 4- Common Questions Asked in
Ordination Review Committee
1. When do you first remember the impression that God was calling you to pastoral ministry? Tell
us the story of your journey as you began to respond to that calling, and if you feel free, share
any roadblocks that you encountered along the way. Did God use any people to encourage you
along this journey?
2. Describe the unique message and mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church as you
understand it. Is there anything that especially draws you to the Adventist message? Is there
anything that you particularly struggle with or have a hard time teaching or preaching?
3. How do you keep your own spiritual connection with God fresh and growing? What is there
about your personal devotions that is particularly meaningful? How do you handle it when you
have a day you just don’t feel like doing personal devotions? What are the primary obstacles to
keeping your spiritual practices growing and strong?
4. Talk to us about your daily and weekly management of time as a pastor. What would a typical
week look like for you? What is your greatest challenge in making time as productive as
possible? When do you pray? When do you read? When do you spend time with your family?
How do you bring balance into your life when there are so many plates you have to keep
spinning?
5. Talk to us about your priorities in ministry? What do you specifically want to accomplish as a
Seventh-day Adventist pastor? If Jesus were to linger and you were still a pastor 5-10 years
from now what would you really like to be doing? Do you see yourself pastoring for the rest of
your life?
6. Describe to us (this is for the spouse) how you feel about your role as a pastor’s wife/husband?
7. Describe some of the highlights of your ministry so far. Include aspects of personal evangelism
and public evangelism in your answer.
8. What are the gifts that God has given you that will be most beneficial to your ministry? What
are some of the areas of growth?
9. What are some of the ways in which you have involved and equipped volunteers?
10. Sometimes there are disagreements within the church. What are ways that you have used to
deal with disagreements and resolve conflict? How have you responded to your detractors as a
pastor?
11. What are some of the things you have done for Continuing Education?
12. What do you see as the role of church administration when it comes to your role as a pastor?
13. What do you see as the purpose of church disciple? How have you been involved with this so
far?
14. What does ordination mean to you?

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 15. Do you have any questions for us?

There may be other questions that come up in addition to these listed above. These could include . . .
1. Your conversion experience;
2. A life of consistent exemplary Christian conduct;
3. An exemplary family;
4. Acceptance of the Bible as God's Word and rule of faith;
5. Review of working knowledge of and philosophy toward the use the writings of Ellen White;
6. Evidence of leadership ability;
7. Understanding of ministerial ethics;
8. Experience in conducting baptisms, weddings, baby dedications, and funerals;
9. Review of commitment to Christian education.

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