Ev Frederick, Salem
A few days before the ordination of Bob Helverson, Jr in May, we received a call reminding us that this special day was approaching for “Pastor Bob,” and that it would be a nice thing to dress up for the occasion as this type of thing does not happen very often. This was a reasonable request as we tend to be more casual and this was a dress up occasion.
On this special Sunday, the worship team, led by Pastor Bob, chose songs he liked and that were appropriate for this service. Then it came time for the message and ordination. It seemed rather odd to have a life-size cut out of Bob sitting on a folding chair on the landing from where Pastor Bruce speaks. Also odd was the griddle on the landing that was being pre-heated.
Pastor Bruce took us back to Leviticus and explained what ordination was then and is today – a consecration, setting apart of an individual for God’s service. Leviticus 8 is about the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests. As in a lot of rituals from the Bible, there is a lot of sacrificing of animals. Ordination is no different.
A few things were needed for the ordination–proper ceremonial clothing, anointing oil, a bull, two rams and bread. Those being ordained/consecrated were anointed for their service to God and the animals were the varying burnt offerings needed for this to take place. As Pastor Bruce explained how this consecration ritual took place, we began to understand why he needed a griddle and a cutout “Bob” on stage.
Cutout Bob was then properly dressed, and anointing oil was poured on his head. The bull was the sin offering. Sins were transferred from the consecrated onto the animal. It was then slaughtered. The meat was placed on the altar (griddle) and the rest (in Leviticus) was burned outside the tabernacle. This took place for each animal. The first ram was the peace offering, God reconciling those chosen to himself. The second ram was the ordination ram. The blood from this ram was placed on the right ear, right thumb and right foot to cleanse him so he could then go before God an behalf of the people. The meat from this ram was placed on the altar to be cooked and eaten at the table with God, signifying God’s approval of the service to which the ordained is called.
Pastor Bruce symbolically placed steak on the griddle and soon the aroma wafted throughout the sanctuary. This made the point quite clear of the sweet smelling sacrifice that we are to give and be to God. Not only were we hearing Bob’s ordination, our senses were fully involved. We were now participants, not just spectators. This was not just about Bob being called out and officially recognized, this was about us being part of Bob’s calling.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.