The E&R Synod is an organization composed of ministers and churches with a shared commitment to preserving the historical and theological distinctives of our classical Protestant heritage.

becoming ordained in the e&r synod

The Process Towards Ordination

If you are discerning a vocation in the Holy Ministry, the E&R might be the denominational home for you. Our postulants are required to complete their seminary education before being ordained a Deacon and progressing towards the Priesthood if vocationally called to do so. We are excited and willing to help postulants and seminarians in fulfilling God’s calling on their life.

Prospective Ministers of the Gospel must subscribe to one of the following Protestant Confessions of Faith to be ordained within our church: the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, the 39 Articles of Religion, the Marburg Articles, or the Heidelberg Catechism.

Men with ministry and life experience and the qualifications necessary according to Scripture may be granted a unique path towards ordination depending on life circumstances and God’s will for the individual and his relationship to our church. Below is the normal route for a young man aspiring to the Holy Ministry to become ordained in Christ’s Church through our Synod:

Seminary

Earn an under-graduate degree. If you already have a degree you must present your transcripts and formal documents to the Synod. After the completion of Bible school the postulant is ready for ordination to the diaconate and priesthood (if they meet the Scriptural requirements necessary for ordination of course).

Ordination

Vocationally-called Deacons stay within the Diaconate for the rest of their lives serving their Bishops while Deacons called to become Priests will serve their Bishop until he determines the appointed time for their ordination to the Sacred Priesthood. After ordination Deacons and Priests should diligently seek to further their education by dedicated study of Scripture; attending morning and evening prayer; and by earning graduate level seminary degrees.

Mission

We will help the newly ordained priest or deacon to get planted into their local church for full-time or tent-making ministry. We encourage newly ordained Ministers inclined towards church planting to get in contact with the Synod and share your vision. We are happy to help the newly ordained establish a new mission, chapel, school or mercy ministry according to God’s will and grace in Christ Jesus our Lord.