My Ordination

You can now refer to me as Reverend Jordan Gardner. Last Sunday I was finally ordained. It took me 13 years of being a Christian, a college degree in Christian Ministries, one year with my local license, one year with my council license, and countless hours of writing, reading and studying...but I finally did it. I must say that this was one of the most special days of my life. Here are some reasons why:

1) The laying on of hands. In Acts 6 a group of four men were chosen for a specific task. They were brought to the apostles and "the apostles prayed and laid their hands on them" (6:6). Later in Acts 13 we see Saul (Paul) and Barnabas commissioned in the same way. The Holy Spirit said to set these men apart to do God's work. Verse 3 of chapter 13 says "after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off." Until my ordination service I had no idea how powerful and sacred of a moment this was. I will never forget the feeling that came over me as I knelt on the altar and received the blessing of the Holy Spirit through the praying and laying of hands on me.

2) My family supported me. I know that not all my family could make it, and some of the dearest people in the world to me were not there, but to walk across the stage and receive ordination and then turn to see my family's smiling faces was truly a blessing. My In-Laws even came in for the special day (which means a whole lot more to me than they could ever know).

3) Karen was ordained too. In my opinion I was not the only one ordained last Sunday. Karen was ordained with me. Nothing I have done, am doing, or will ever do can be done without my life partner. Karen, Myself, and our son (even though not out of the womb) were ordained as a family to do the work of God.

4) It is only the beginning. I think the most exciting thing about being ordained is the life of service that now lays before me. I can't imagine what God has in store for my family.

So please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we are set out into the exciting world and scary abyss of pastoral ministry.