The Privilege of Ordination

This last weekend I had the privilege, and it was indeed a privilege, of attending two Anglican Ordination Services where friends of mine were ordained as Deacons.  As a Methodist my own ordination, subject to my completing my time as a Probationary Presbyter, is two years away and so it was with a sense of anticipation that I witnessed my friends being ordained.

The first ordination service I attended was in Blackburn Cathedral on Saturday morning.  Not having attended an ordination service of any kind I wasn’t sure what to expect.  In the packed Cathedral there was sense of excitement and anticipation, a really strong sense that something very special was about to take place.  The choir struck up and the procession began, a procession of the choir, bishops, Cathedral dignitaries, attending clergy and the candidates for ordination.  I’m not normally a fan of all that pomp and ceremony, especially in church, but I did find it stirred me spiritually to see these men and women willing to dedicate themselves to God as ordained clergy, knowing all the hard work they have undertaken to prepare for life as ministers in the church.

The actual worship was very dignified and formal, as Cathedral worship often is and that kind of worship is not my usual way of encountering God, and yet I did, quite powerfully and profoundly.

One high point for me was when the bishop read the following words from the ordination liturgy:

“In the name of our Lord, we bid you remember the greatness of the trust in which you are now to share: the ministry of Christ himself,”

That is a sobering thought, sharing the ministry of Christ himself!  Whilst this same phrase isn’t in the Methodist Ordination liturgy I am still very aware that even as a Probationer Presbyter I will be sharing in the ministry of Christ himself.  What an awesome responsibility!  What a privilege!

The other high point was when the bishop placed his hands on the head of each Ordinand saying:

“Send down the Holy Spirit on your servant N
for the office and work of a deacon in your Church.”

Simple words, yet profound in their significance as each person arises no longer an Ordinand but a Deacon.  To see a friend receive this blessing of the Holy Spirit and the responsibility that comes with it was a very moving experience indeed.

The service in York Minster on Sunday morning was very similar, but equally a time of blessing, not only for the Ordinands but for many of those present as well.

My own Ordination, God willing, is two years away, but as I go into ministry as a Probationer Presbyter I will take with me the experience blessings I have personally received this weekend.