National Association of Christian Ministers, NACM, christian ordination ordained minister

However, we are a Christian community. The NACM is a ministerial association, a network and fellowship of Christians who are called of God to minister to the world. We exist in the form of a religious fellowship, united in the spirit and authority of Christ to appoint and equip ministers of the gospel, and to provide spiritual support and accountability to one another.

What makes this ministry different?

1) We are specifically a Christian organization, and only partner with other sincere Christian ministries -yet we are interdenominational and not divided over doctrines that do not pertain to salvation.

2) We are both an online, and also an "in-person" ministry. We fellowship with one another in person, through phone calls, emails, and our network discussion board regularly for the purpose of prayer, encouragement, and Bible study. It is also our goal to appoint elders in every major city in the U.S. for the purpose of holding ordination services and offering local support.

3) We are believers who sincerely want to advance the cause of Christ. Therefore, all ordination applications are prayed over by our administration. We also take careful steps to verify our ministers (for example through interviews, sex offender checks, deep internet searches, and requiring specific confessions of faith).

How many members does the NACM have?

As of February 2010, approximately 700.

How does the mentor program work?

Members may request to participate in the mentor program. This course of study is a rigorous acquaintance with foundational theological doctrines, Bible interpretation methods, reasoning, and church administration techniques. During this time participants are engaged in online conversations regarding the material, and they have the option to partner with fellow participants. At the final assignment stage participants are assisted in setting their overall ministry goals and are given a specific assignment that helps them to prepare for their goals. After completing the program, the participants are positioned to request a letter of reference, and to serve as a fellow mentor of future participants. As with all of our services, there is no cost for participation in this program.

Do members have to be ordained?

No, our members are not required to be ordained in order to fellowship with us.

What is ordination?

Ordination is the acknowledgment and commission by a community of believers that a person has been called to ministry. In our case, people ordained with the NACM are commissioned by a community of ministers.

The root meaning of ordination.

In general as well as Biblical terms, the word "ordain" comes from the Greek word "diatassō" which means to "appoint".

In general as well as Biblical terms the word "minister" comes from the Greek word "diakoneō" which means to be a servant (in the strictest since it means to wait upon tables).

When the two words are combined, "ordained minister" - we get the definition "to appoint one to serve, or appointed servant".

Why is this important?

For two reasons:

1)Because Jesus said:

"he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he who shall humble himself shall be exalted" (Mat 23:11-12 MKJV).

The minister of our God is a servant and they should lead by serving, even as our Lord did when he washed His disciples feet.

2) There are some who dispute over the qualifications of pastors, such as whether or not women should be allowed to be pastors. We want only to briefly address this concern.

Notice that an appointed servant is not qualified by being a pastor, elder, deacon etc. These positions are expected to be filled by someone who has been "ordained", but being ordained does not necessarily make someone for example a deacon. For this reason there should be no disagreements over the ordination of men or women as long as they live a life consistent with Christian ethics and there is a call of Christian service on their lives.

Who would have any objections to men or women being "appointed" as Christian "servants"? No reasonable person would. To do so is to deny that God wants all genders to serve Him.

For this reason we conclude that it is up to the independent churches/ministries to decide what their requirements are for serving them. It is not the position of the National Association of Christian Ministers to appoint women or men as pastors, deacons, etc. It is our purpose to recognize ministers with ordination (appointed servants) so that they may legally pursue the convictions that God has placed on their hearts.

Who has the authority to ordain people?

Technically speaking, only God can ordain ministers. It is He who calls, and it is His Spirit that appoints spiritual gifts to whom He wills. For this reason, we make no claim to ordain people, but rather in granting ordination we recognize the call to Christian service that God has already placed on someone's life.

Jesus said:

“All authority is given to Me in Heaven and in earth. Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world. Amen” (Mat 28:18-20 MKJV).

“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (Joh 15:16 MKJV)

It is God who calls and ordains people into ministry. The irony is that man still has to acknowledge this calling to make it "legal". Therefore, from a legal standpoint, religious organizations can ordain; however, not all organizations are reputable.

What is a minister's license?

In many states ordained ministers are deemed “licensed”; however, they are to be in “good standing” with their organization to perform marriages, etc. For this reason, we make available a yearly “minister’s letter of good standing”, or ID cards for our affiliated ministers.

What makes any ordination legal?

First amendment of the U.S. Constitution:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”.

In other words, the government does not have the authority to determine what constitutes an "ordained minister". This is power is left in the hands of religious organizations, and the government is not permitted to deem one religious organization more respectable than another.

The First Amendment (made applicable to the States by the Fourteenth) Everson v. Board of Education, 330 U.S. 1, 67 S.Ct. 504. There was said:

Neither a state nor the Federal Government can set up a church. Neither can pass laws which aid one religion, aid all religions, or prefer one religion over another. Neither can force or influence a person to go to or to remain away from church against his will or force him to profess a belief or disbelief in any religion….Neither a state nor the Federal Government can, openly or secretly, participate in the affairs of any religious organizations or groups, and vice versa. In the words of Jefferson, the clause against establishment of religion by law was intended to erect 'a wall of separation between Church and State." Id., at pages 15, 16 of 330 U.S., at page 511 of 67 S.Ct. The majority in the Everson case, and the minority as shown by quotations from the dissenting views in our notes 6 and 7, agreed that the First Amendment's language, properly interpreted, had erected a wall of separation between Church and State. They disagreed as to the facts shown by the record and as to the proper application of the First Amendment's language to those facts.

(Quote from: http://www.altlaw.org/v1/cases/397379)

Can ministers officiate marriages?

Note: this is not legal advice.

First we would like to make it clear that we do not ordain ministers for the purpose of officiating marriages, we ordain them to spread the gospel. However, we realize that often ministers are asked to perform a weddings. This is perfectly acceptable in their service to God.

The answer to the question of officiating marriages depends totally upon the state in the U.S. where the marriage takes place. In many states ordained ministers can marry people; however, the laws vary from state to state. It is the minister's responsibility to know the expectations of the laws in their state. This link will provide general information about each state's expectations, as well as contact information for county clerk's offices. Click here for the link ...

What is a church or ministry charter?

A church or ministry charter is simply a recognition of one spiritual body by another spiritual body. In essence, a charter is to a ministry like ordination is to a minister. In other words a charter is the ordination of a ministry. It is the recognition that there is a spiritual need that the recognized ministry provides for humanity in the name of Jesus. The charter says to the public that another group of believers validates the existence of the chartered ministry.

What is the leadership structure of the NACM?

Holy Spirit

« ← « ↓ » → »

Membership ↔ Elders ↔ President ↔ Special Ministers ↔ Membership

All leadership will always be approachable by any member of the NACM. No member is required to pass through channels in order to communicate with any leader. Jesus said, “he that is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Mat 23:11, KJV).

What is the organization's culture?

The culture of the NACM is warm and diverse. We have believers from all sorts of denominational backgrounds who are quite accepting and appreciative of one another. Most people immediately make friends and welcome one another to fellowship from all around the world.

What is the NACM purpose for having Elders?

Paul once said to Titus, "you should set in order the things that are lacking and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed you" (Tit 1:5 MKJV).

We are continuing this pattern by recognizing elders around the globe.

An Elder is a spiritual calling much like that of a minister; however, unlike a minister we believe that the calling of an elder is not necessarily lifelong. We believe that at times and seasons God calls people to serve in roles necessary to build His Kingdom. The Elder is one who has been called to a time and season to impart the spiritual blessing of ordination by the "laying on of hands", and the serve as an encouragement to the Body of Christ around them.

What is an Elder's relationship to the NACM?

As stated above, the position of Elder is the NACM's recognition of a calling to serve. Therefore, Elders recognized by the NACM are independent ministers volunteering to serve people in a spiritual capacity in their local areas. They are Christian representatives of Jesus serving on His behalf and higher authority.

What are NACM Special Ministers?

Special Ministers voluntarily serve the NACM in an administrative way. Each has their own special ministries within our organization. They are separate leadership from the Elders.

There is no way to apply for one of these positions. Appointments are made as administrative needs arise.

Ways in which members may position themselves to be noticed for one of these positions:

1) Maintain an active participation within the network.

2) Complete the Mentor or the Leadership Development Program.

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