Grace Baptist Church

Article XII - Ordinations

   1. Section 1 - Ministers of the Gospel

It is our hope that Spirit-filled men will be called out from among us to proclaim the Gospel of the Grace of God. The church will commission such men by giving a license to those whose ministries will be limited in scope or time, or by ordination to the ministry.

When there is a prospective candidate for ordination to the ministry, the Elders shall guide that person in his studies and preparation. They shall then call a council to examine the qualifications of the candidate. It shall look into the soundness of his conversion, the godliness of his walk, the soundness of his doctrine, the degree of his gifts, the extent of his training, and the blessing of God upon his labors for Christ.

If the council heartily recommends that the candidate be ordained, the church may give the recommended commission by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting at a congregational meeting.

The Elders, under the principles set forth in Article VII, shall have the power to exercise discipline, even to the revocation of this church's ordination or license.

   2. Section 2 - Installation of Elders

In a regular worship service of the church, the Pastor shall question newly elected Elders as follows:

         1. Do you believe the Scriptures as written in the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and do you accept them as the only infallible rule of faith and practice?

         2. Have you personally adopted and will you cheerfully submit to and defend the Confession (1689 London Baptist), Constitution and By-Laws of this church?

         3. Do you accept the Office of Elder readily, and do you promise to perform its duties of caring for the flock of God in the fear of His Name?

Then the hands of the existing Elders shall be placed on the heads of the new Elders and prayer offered in their behalf. Following this, the people shall be exhorted to esteem and obey those whom God has placed over them.

   3. Section 3 - Installation of Deacons

In a regular worship of the church, the Pastor shall question newly elected Deacons as follows:

         1. Do you believe the Scriptures as written in the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and do you accept them as the only infallible rule of faith and practice?

         2. Have you personally adopted and will you cheerfully submit to and defend the Confession (1689 London Baptist), Constitution and By-Laws of this church?

         3. Do you accept the Office of Deacon and do you promise to care for the poor and needy and to manage the business of this church in the fear of God?

Then the hands of the officers shall be placed on the heads of the new Deacons and prayer offered in their behalf. Following this, the people shall be exhorted to esteem and obey those whom God has placed over them.