Ordination

When a United Methodist pastor is ordained, he or she is examined on these topics:

Have you faith in Christ?

Are you going on to perfection?

Do you expect to be made perfect in love in this life?

Are you earnestly striving after it?

Are you resolved to devote yourself wholly to God and His work?

Do you know the General Rules of our Church?

Will you keep them?

Have you studied the doctrines of the United Methodist Church?

After full examination, do you believe that our doctrines are in harmony with the Holy Scriptures?

Will you preach and maintain them?

Have you studied our form of church discipline and polity?

Do you approve of our church government and polity?

Will you support and maintain them?

WIll you diligently instruct the children in every place?

Will you visit from house to house?

Will you recommend fasting or abstinence, both by precept and example?

Are you determined to employ all your time in the work of God?

Are you in debt so as to embarrass yourself in your work?

Will you observe the following directions?

a. Be diligent. Never be unemployed. Never be triflingly employed. Never trifle away time; neither spend any more time at any one place than is strictly necessary.

b. Be punctual. Do everything exactly at the time. And do not mend our rules, but keep them, not for wrath, but conscience' sake.