Why God Never Rushes Ordination
Paul says to Timothy: "Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands." (1 Timothy 5:22)
Elders are ordained when hands are laid on them in a special moment, and they are committed to the ministry. Paul says don't be hasty to get somebody ordained. Let them prove themselves. Let them show that they are hard workers who deserve good compensation, and that they are honourable and holy, living with victory over sin. He's saying that potential elders and pastors should be given time to mature and find their feet.
Why Character Takes Time to Show
Paul goes on to say this: "The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever." (1 Timothy 5:24-25)
Perhaps this is why he advocates a long process before ordination. Sometimes things are not obvious. Sometimes someone seems perfect for the role, but it turns out there is a body of sin trailing behind them, causing destruction. Similarly, sometimes someone does a lot of good that you only get to see after some time. It remains hidden for a while, but it comes to the light eventually.
If we ordain or call someone to ministry too soon, we may only later begin to see their real character. By then the damage is done, in the church they serve and in their own lives.
Hasty Feet Miss the Way
This is actually an old principle! Proverbs says: "Desire without knowledge is not good—how much more will hasty feet miss the way!" (Proverbs 19:2)
Many people want to be in a leadership position. They desire it fervently, but they haven't got the knowledge that comes through study and experience. Their hasty feet miss the way.
I have often wondered why my own road to ordination took so long – 8 years from when I began to my ordination earlier in 2026. I think it's because I would have missed the way if I had jumped in before I had the study and the experience. Perhaps those years as a local preacher with the Methodists, and my first years of pastoring with the Nazarenes, gave me the chance to find my feet in ministry. I hope so.
God Never Rushes
Of course, I – like every minister – have much to learn and a long way to go. Ordination does not bring you to a place of full knowledge or completion. It’s the beginning of a new stage of ministry, you might say, but no elder should ever feel like they know it all.
But for you today, when it comes to being under a minister in a church, be sure that the person has not been rushed into the position. God never rushes! You'll be glad to be led by a pastor or elder who has been prepared, and grown and readied, through a long ministry journey with God's guidance.
Paul warns against rushing anyone into ministry, because real character takes time to show. Wait on God's timing today instead of racing ahead of Him.