Ordained Ministry and The Ministry of Pastor – Is there a Difference?

The short answer is yes, there are significant differences, but you won’t find them in the practice of ministry.

Both forms of specified ministry can be located in any of the ministry roles in the church, from leading congregations to chaplaincy to teaching in the theological college. Both can celebrate the sacraments, and both can be marriage celebrants.

The differences won’t be found in educational qualifications either, some pastors have PhD’s in Theology and some Ordained ministers Associate Degrees.

So, if not in the practices and expressions of ministry then where?

The essential difference, and it is essential, can be found in the posture of ministry.

The Ministry of Pastor is an employed role and is subject to employment legislation. Pastors are employed for a specific role and their designation of Pastor is for the duration of that role. Pastors have an employment contract and are remunerated under the relevant award (depending on the role) or by an agreed remuneration package. As employee’s, pastors have a “right to disengage” when not in their agreed working hours and are also afforded the entitlements and protections of the relevant award or employment contract.

Ordination has an entirely different posture. The commitment to Ordination is a “whole of life – whole of church commitment” which is expressed in the setting apart of the person from commercial employment to stipended service to the whole of the church.

Whole of Life – includes every aspect of the person’s life. An ordained minister is representative of the church in every facet of the community regardless of whether the activity is related to the church. Whole of Life also incorporates whole of self with an emphasis on always maintaining the posture of a Minister.

Whole of Church – includes service beyond the community where ministry practice is located to the wider church. This is often formalized in the expectation that Ordained ministers will tithe their time for Presbytery, Synod, Assembly or Ecumenical responsibilities. Whole of church also incorporates a willingness to discern with the church, where best the minister can serve and to be relocated as required.

Ministry of Pastor is focused on fair renumeration for contextual ministry work, where the ordained have their living expenses covered in the stipend, not participating in the market-based system with career advancement and promotion possibilities, but to be wholly focused on ministry.

The ordering of God’s call on our lives and the discernment of the nature of that call is the task of the community of faith. In the UCA, these calls can be facilitated within the distinctive specified ministries of Lay Preacher, Ministry of Pastor, Minister of the Word and Deacon. All of these Ministry roles need dedicated education and formation to flourish in their participating in the ministry and mission of God in Christ.

I am eager to support you and your Congregations, Presbyteries and agencies in the formation and education of Ministry of Pastor roles. 

Photo Credit: Unsplash.com - Joshua Earle

Keen to explore more 

Feel free to reach out to Rhonda White at  rhondawh@nswact.uca.org.au