What does being "ordained" mean to you?

I was reading a news magazine the other day and in a small section titled Consumer Leisure I found the following list.

The Internet sites for online ordination:
  • themonastery.org, the site of Universal Life Church Monastery, performs online ordination for free, instantly. The church's ordination not only qualifies you to marry but also to "bury, anoint, or exorcise others."
  • spiritualhumanism.org, will ordain at no cost, but requires an email "within 48 hours of sign-up to activate ordination credentials."
  • amfellow.org, the American Fellowship Church site, charges $25 plus a $3 fee for ordination. The AFC requires "signature and document mail-in" - meaning you may wait up to two weeks before officially being ordained.
  • dudism.com is the online shrine of the unconventional Church of the Latter-Day Dude. If you don't mind the frequent uses of "dude," become ordained instantaneously at no cost.

I just don't think ordination can occur over the Internet. What does "ordination" mean to you?

1 comment:

appreciable said...

I believe that the answer to the necessity and nature of ordination can be found in Acts 8:12-25

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not aright in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. (End Quote)

The Priesthood authority is apparently both essential and not for sale.

With love,

-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet