A young man stands before his church on a Sunday morning. He is wringing his hands and stammering over his words. He has come to believe that God is calling him to ministry. The church gathers around him. They take the time to hear his testimony. The church decides to grant him a license to preach as he begins to practice his calling.
Years pass.
The same young man has been given opportunities to preach at his home church and at churches in his area. He serves faithfully. His doctrine is tested, and his character is observed. He learns lessons no classroom can teach. Then the day comes when he kneels before the congregation as pastors and church leaders gather around him to offer their prayers. The church ordains him to the gospel ministry.
I hope you’ve been able to witness both of these moments in your church and that you will see more of them. We need men to answer the call to ministry.
What if someone asked you, “What is the difference between licensing and ordaining?” In some instances, the terms are used as though they were synonyms. We know they are not the same, but why? More importantly, how are these practices rooted in Scripture?
What Is Licensing?
The New Testament never speaks of licensing ministers. You will not find a church in Acts voting to grant a license to preach. No apostle instructed churches to issue certificates recognizing ministerial candidates. Nevertheless, the absence of the word does not imply the absence of the principle.
Scripture repeatedly emphasizes that those who aspire to spiritual leadership must first be tested. Paul instructed Timothy regarding church servants, “Let these also first be proved” (1 Tim. 3:10). Although the immediate context concerns deacons, the principle extends naturally to all who would exercise spiritual leadership. Paul also warned Timothy not to “lay hands suddenly on no man” concerning elders (1 Tim. 5:22).
The church has a responsibility to examine the calling of those who come forward. It must assess the candidate’s character as it is demonstrated through personal faithfulness. Character cannot be discerned in a single interview.
Historically, Baptist churches developed the practice of licensing to acknowledge a man’s apparent calling while also providing a season for growth and evaluation. A license recognizes that a man has begun a journey in ministry. When a church licenses a minister, it is essentially saying, “We believe God may be calling this man into ministry, and we desire to encourage, support, and observe that calling.”
After all, it takes time to determine whether the gifts that appear in seed form will ever mature into a fruitful ministry.
Why Is Licensing Necessary?
Every seasoned pastor knows that surrendering to ministry and being prepared for ministry are two different things. Zeal is wonderful, but zeal alone does not qualify a shepherd. Time has a way of revealing strengths, weaknesses, convictions, and character.
The New Testament is incredibly practical in teaching us to value testing before recognition.
What Is Ordaining?
While licensing is a church-developed practice built upon biblical principles, ordination has a much clearer biblical pattern.
Throughout the New Testament, we find believers being publicly recognized and set apart for ministry through prayer and the laying on of hands. In Acts 13, the church at Antioch fasted, prayed, and laid hands on Barnabas and Saul. The church sent them out for missionary service. Paul later reminded Timothy of the ministry entrusted to him through the laying on of hands (1 Tim. 4:14).
While ordination does not impart special spiritual power, it is a moment where the church may recognize what God is doing in a person’s life. Where licensing says, “We see evidence of God’s call,” ordination says, “We have observed God’s work and affirm this man’s qualification for ministry.” Licensing recognizes potential while ordination recognizes proven faithfulness.
How Are Both Important?
No farmer plants a sapling in the spring and expects a harvest by summer. Time is the key to lasting growth. Seasons must pass for the tree to prove itself healthy and fruitful.
Through licensing and ordination, churches obey the biblical command not to act hastily in matters of spiritual leadership. In a culture increasingly impatient with process, the wisdom of these practices may be more important than ever. Churches need young men willing to answer God’s call. At the same time, churches need the maturity to test, encourage, and patiently develop those God is raising up.
Our goal cannot be to fill vacant pulpits. Our goal must be to reproduce faithful ministers. When we understand this process, we see licensing and ordination as complementary steps in the church’s life.
