Licensure and Ordination in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church

The Holy Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ gave gifts to the church for the building up and edification of his body. Such gifts include men who are duly ordained to the gospel ministry. Holy Scripture requires that men called to the gospel ministry first demonstrate that they possess the requisite gifts for ministry, in order that the churches may have an opportunity to form a better judgment respecting the gifts of those by whom they are to be instructed. The Holy Scriptures require that some trial be previously made of those who are to be ordained to the ministry of the gospel in order that this sacred office may not be degraded by being committed to weak or unworthy men. For this purpose candidates for ordination shall first be licensed by a presbytery to preach the gospel as probationers (licentiates). After a period of probation sufficient to make trial of their qualifications and service, and having received reports that their services are edifying to the church, a presbytery may in due time proceed to ordain such probationers (licentiates) to the sacred office. Candidates for office are provided oversight through the presbytery’s Candidates and Credentials Committee.

The following steps indicate the path to become a candidate for ordination to the gospel ministry in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

2. Come under the care of a presbytery by obtaining a written recommendation from the local church elders and by undergoing an examination as to the candidates Christian faith, life, service and motives influencing him to desire the sacred office.

3. Be licensed to preach by undergoing examinations in the following areas: English Bible (sample questions), ecclesiastical history (sample questions), theology (sample question), original languages, preach a sermon, present an essay on an assigned theological topic, and present an assigned exegetical paper from a text of Scripture using the Hebrew or Greek text.

4. Be ordained to gospel ministry by undergoing examinations in the following areas: apologetics (sample questions), OPC Form of Government, Discipline and Worship, theology, and such other branches of learning that the presbytery may require. A licentiate must also have a call from an Orthodox Presbyterian Congregation in order to be ordained.