Rob, I hear you and understand your concern. Let me answer you with respect and as a brother in Christ.
I, too, transferred denominations for a few reasons (none of which I desire to hide, but are not germane to this discussion). I was ordained an Elder in the United Methodist Church. "Elder" means different things in various denominations.
In the broader Methodist/Wesleyan tradition the Elder is ordained to Word, Sacrament, and Order. He or she is authorized to preach the Word, administer the Sacraments of baptism and communion, and administer the Order/Discipline of the Church/denomination. Elders Orders are normally lived as a local church pastor; but not always (e.g., chaplains). They are under the bishop's appointment and supervision; but do not need permission to exercise their ordination in the world.
I TRANSFERRED my Elders Orders to the Free Methodist Church. That was not a big theological leap for me. There is a similar view of ordination between the UMC and FMC. I will add that persons who are not ordained but appointed as pastors in the UMC and FMC are authorized by the appointment to administer the Sacraments within their appointment.
Others have addressed the theological and historical reasons for denominations to require persons to be ordained in order to administer the Sacraments. Allow me, again, to approach your dilemma from a different angle - still with a spirit that is in Christ.
First, in reading your question I am assuming that you left a previous denomination for whatever reason(s). In leaving that denomination it seems that you de facto surrendered your Orders (ordination) without transferring those Orders to your current denomination.
Second, you united with a specific denomination with a specific discipline (set of rules). I uniting with and transferring my orders to the Free Methodist Church I accepted the discipline of my new denomination and committed to that discipline.
I hope this helps you in your journey with Christ.
Posted in: Why Must You Be Ordained in Order to Administer Communion/The Lord's Supper?
Greetings to all,
Rob, I hear you and understand your concern. Let me answer you with respect and as a brother in Christ.
I, too, transferred denominations for a few reasons (none of which I desire to hide, but are not germane to this discussion). I was ordained an Elder in the United Methodist Church. "Elder" means different things in various denominations.
In the broader Methodist/Wesleyan tradition the Elder is ordained to Word, Sacrament, and Order. He or she is authorized to preach the Word, administer the Sacraments of baptism and communion, and administer the Order/Discipline of the Church/denomination. Elders Orders are normally lived as a local church pastor; but not always (e.g., chaplains). They are under the bishop's appointment and supervision; but do not need permission to exercise their ordination in the world.
I TRANSFERRED my Elders Orders to the Free Methodist Church. That was not a big theological leap for me. There is a similar view of ordination between the UMC and FMC. I will add that persons who are not ordained but appointed as pastors in the UMC and FMC are authorized by the appointment to administer the Sacraments within their appointment.
Others have addressed the theological and historical reasons for denominations to require persons to be ordained in order to administer the Sacraments. Allow me, again, to approach your dilemma from a different angle - still with a spirit that is in Christ.
First, in reading your question I am assuming that you left a previous denomination for whatever reason(s). In leaving that denomination it seems that you de facto surrendered your Orders (ordination) without transferring those Orders to your current denomination.
Second, you united with a specific denomination with a specific discipline (set of rules). I uniting with and transferring my orders to the Free Methodist Church I accepted the discipline of my new denomination and committed to that discipline.
I hope this helps you in your journey with Christ.
I Am Yours in Christ,
John