Posted on 12 Oct 2024 by Jerome Leng
It’s been a long time since I last wrote a post, but I suppose this occasion calls for one. Many people have been asking how I feel about my upcoming ordination. Honestly, it’s all so new that I’m still processing what’s about to happen. The more I think about it, the more nervous I become. Maybe my mind is intentionally avoiding it, but people have been “helpfully” bringing the ordination back to the forefront of my mind.
That said, I won’t go into too much detail.
I don’t think many people fully understand what ordination is about. Even I’ve had to reflect on it more deeply over the past few weeks. What’s the difference between ordination, installation, induction, and commissioning? These are words I’ve had to think through as I prepare the church for this Sunday’s ceremonies.
You might be thinking, “Oh, it’s about Jerome (or anyone else, for that matter) officially becoming a pastor.” While that’s part of it, I must caution against focusing too much on the individual and what’s happening to him. The biblical perspective begins with the office itself and understanding what God is doing for the church by providing someone to fill that role.
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ
Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV
This will be the first time in 16 years that we are ordaining someone at CERC. It’s a momentous occasion, not just for Jerome Leng, but for our entire church. It marks a historic moment in our shared life as a congregation. God has blessed CERC by raising up pastors to equip the church for ministry.
I am being set apart for lifelong service, entrusted with the holy duties of the church of the living God. This comes with a weighty responsibility, both to God and to His people. I am not a free man; I am bound to my Lord, Jesus, the Head of the Church, as an undershepherd of His flock (1 Pet 5:4). My life is now inseparably tied to the church.
Of course, every Christian should feel and think in similar ways, but an ordained minister bears the additional responsibility of providing leadership to ensure the church is built up according to God’s design. This is the start of a lifelong journey of cross-bearing service to Christ and His church. So yes, I’m nervous. My desire is to finish faithfully. I don’t care what happens along the way, as long as my Lord says to me at the end, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Nothing else matters.
Over the years, our leadership at CERC has been criticized by many. It would be easy for someone like me to reconsider whether I want to be part of CERC for the long haul. People often demonize us, forgetting that they are speaking about individuals who serve in this ministry. It’s easy to criticize CERC as an “organization” or “brand” while overlooking the good, wise, and godly people in our leadership. I do not stand for spiritual abuse, nor do I believe we have used underhanded means for personal gain. We’ve made mistakes, but I don’t think that justifies the opposition we’ve faced. I trust that God, our ultimate Judge, will bring everything to light in due time.
As a CERC pastor, I must stand for the gospel and uphold the honor of the Lord Jesus Christ. My calling is to preach the Word, and that will be my primary focus in the coming months and years. I know I have a lot of room to grow as a preacher, and by God’s grace, I hope to become a better preacher and pastor for His beloved church. That’s all there is to it, but fulfilling this calling makes all the difference in the world.
Please pray for me and for our church as we embark on this new chapter. And if you’re a Christian from another church reading this, I urge you—pray for your pastor too. They need your support as they faithfully lead and serve God’s people.
