Ordination and Authority

Church Issues series, Number 8

As Presbyterians we find ourselves in a place of enduring contention as to who should be ordained without a clear conception of why we should be ordaining anyone. And if we are unsure of the nature of ordained ministry, we certainly will be unclear as to how the ordained exercise authority. Because we live in the midst of considerable confusion and contention around ordination, the Office of Theology and Worship is proud to present “Ordination and Authority,” two essays by Joseph D. Small, in hopes they will serve to push us to clarity around ordination.