A certificate of ordination is a document that officially confirms an individual has been ordained by a recognized religious body as a minister, pastor or any other religious leader.
The document serves as proof that an individual has been given authority to perform church duties such as baptism, preaching, holy communion, officiating weddings, etc. However, leadership in religious communities is a higher calling, the document supplements this by acting as a formal recognition of an individual’s calling.
It can also be used by an individual to register as a clergy member with governments in many countries. Most importantly, the document shows that an individual will uphold the faith, values, responsibilities and doctrines of the denomination they represent.
Purpose of a Certification of Ordination
For any individual who wants to be inducted into ministry or spiritual leadership, a certificate of ordination is a requirement. It gives you the authority to perform spiritual and ceremonial duties as indicated below.
| Spiritual duties | Ceremonial duties |
|---|---|
| Leading worshippers in regular church services i.e. prayers, sermons, etc. | Officiating weddings |
| Spiritual counselling, supporting community needs, and development of people’s faith | Officiating funerals |
| Administering sacred rites such as communion, baptism, sacraments, etc. | Baby dedications, blessings, confirmations, etc. |
Additionally, it also serves as a legal and formal proof that one has been ordained. This is important because:
- It is proof that one has met the criteria of their religious body
- You can use it to apply for ministry positions, serving in interfaith roles, or joining the clergy
- It allows you to perform ceremonial duties recognized by civil law, such as officiating weddings
- It will allow you to access certain clergy rights, such as tax exemptions
Who Uses It?
A certificate of ordination is used by various individuals who are recognized as religious leaders. They include:
- Pastors – The certificate acts as proof of their authority to serve the congregation i.e. delivering sermons, performing religious rites, spiritual counselling, etc.
- Chaplains – These are individuals who minister in schools, hospitals, prisons, etc. on behalf of a church. They need a certificate of ordination to be officially recognized.
- Clergy and priests – The certificate is a part of their credentials within the religious hierarchy
- Spiritual leaders i.e. Imams, Rabbis, etc. – The certificate their authority in their denominations
- Online-ordained officials- They typically use the certificate for officiating weddings or special ceremonies
What We are Offering
We are offering our readers with professionally designed Certificate of ordination templates that are free to download. Our templates are also easily editable which allows you to customize them according to your requirements.
Ordination Certificate Template 01
Ordination Certificate Template 02
Ordination Certificate Template 03
Ordination Certificate Template 04
Ordination Certificate Template 05
Ordination Certificate Template 06
Ordination Certificate Template 07
Ordination Certificate Template 08
Ordination Certificate Template 09
Ordination Certificate Template 10
Ordination Certificate Template 11
Ordination Certificate Template 12
Ordination Certificate Template 13
Ordination Certificate Template 14
Related: 65 Free Marriage Certificate Templates (Word, PDF) – Editable
About This Article
