Vocation & cultural As the candidate Evangelical 5 min read

Evangelical ordination as the candidate

What is asked of an evangelical, Southern Baptist, non-denominational, or Pentecostal candidate for ordination or commissioning.

01 Varieties of evangelical ordination

Evangelical practice on ordination is not unified. The principal patterns:

Southern Baptist Convention (SBC): Local-church ordination with an ordination council from neighboring SBC churches. SBC polity is congregational, so the local church ordains; the council's role is advisory.

Assemblies of God (AG): Tiered credentialing through the district council: Certified Minister, Licensed Minister, Ordained Minister. Each level requires application, doctrinal examination, and council approval.

Non-denominational churches: Typically use commissioning by the elder board rather than formal ordination. The commissioning is functionally parallel to ordination but follows the local church's own polity.

Other Pentecostal denominations (Church of God, International Pentecostal Holiness, Foursquare): each has its own credentialing or ordination process. Apostolic / Oneness Pentecostal practice varies further.

02 Theological education

SBC ordination typically expects an M.Div. from one of the six SBC seminaries (Southern, Southwestern, New Orleans, Midwestern, Southeastern, Gateway). AG candidates typically complete a Bachelor's degree, often through an AG-affiliated college, and may pursue an M.Div. through AG Theological Seminary. Non-denominational practice varies widely; some churches require an M.Div., others accept any degree, others none.

Pentecostal traditions historically placed less emphasis on formal theological education than the SBC; modern AG practice is closer to the SBC model. Some Pentecostal candidates still come into ordained ministry without seminary, particularly in the apostolic / Oneness traditions and in smaller independent Pentecostal congregations.

03 Women in ordained ministry

SBC restricts the office of pastor to men under Baptist Faith and Message 2000, Article VI. Women may serve in many other ministerial roles in SBC churches, but not as pastor, elder, or overseer.

AG ordains women to all ministerial levels including senior pastor; women have been ordained in AG since its founding in 1914. Church of God (Cleveland, TN) ordains women. International Pentecostal Holiness Church ordains women. Many non-denominational churches restrict the senior-pastor role to men, but many smaller and newer congregations do not. The candidate's denomination or church is the source.

04 The ordination service

The ordination or commissioning service is typically at the candidate's home church, often a Sunday evening or special service. Elements vary by tradition. A typical SBC ordination includes a sermon (often by a mentor pastor), a charge to the candidate (a public exhortation on the responsibilities of pastoral ministry), the laying on of hands by the ordaining pastors and deacons, and a prayer of ordination. AG ordinations follow a similar pattern at the district level; the AG district superintendent often presides.

Non-denominational commissioning services are typically less structured but include a public commitment by the candidate, prayer over the candidate (often with laying on of hands by the elder board), and commissioning by the senior pastor.

05 Common questions

Is "ordination" the same in every evangelical tradition?
No. Southern Baptist ordination is by the local church with an ordination council; Assemblies of God uses a tiered credentialing system; non-denominational churches commonly use elder-board commissioning. The function is similar (recognition by the body of God's call on the candidate, public commissioning for ministry), but the form varies.
Are women ordained?
Practice varies sharply. SBC restricts the office of pastor to men under Baptist Faith and Message 2000, Article VI. Assemblies of God ordains women to all ministerial levels including senior pastor. Church of God (Cleveland, TN) ordains women. Non-denominational practice varies widely; many large non-denominational churches restrict the senior-pastor role to men, but many smaller and newer congregations do not. The candidate's denomination or church is the source.
Is theological education required?
Varies. SBC seminaries (Southern, Southwestern, New Orleans, Midwestern, Southeastern, Gateway) prepare candidates for SBC ordination; an M.Div. is typically expected. AG candidates typically complete a Bachelor's degree and may pursue an M.Div. through AG Theological Seminary or another approved program. Non-denominational practice varies; some churches require an M.Div., others accept any degree, others none.
What does the SBC ordination council do?
The ordination council is a gathering of ordained pastors and deacons from neighboring SBC churches. The council examines the candidate, typically with a testimony of conversion and call followed by theological questioning. If the council recommends, the local church then holds an ordination service. The council's role is advisory; the local church ordains, since SBC polity is congregational.
What does the rite or service look like?
The ordination service is typically at the candidate's home church, often a Sunday evening or special service. Elements vary by tradition: a sermon (often by a mentor pastor), a charge to the candidate, the laying on of hands by the ordaining pastors and deacons, and a prayer of ordination. AG ordinations are similar in form at the district level. Non-denominational commissioning services are typically less structured but include a public commitment by the candidate, prayer over the candidate, and commissioning by the elder board.

06 Pastoral note

Last reviewed against primary sources: May 17, 2026