Ordination

Ordination of Women

The actual definition of ordination is an action and/or ceremony in which a person called by God for ministry is recognized and celebrated for their response and commitment to God's call on their lives. While reserved for men in the Southern Baptist Convention, ordination of women is becoming more common in moderate to liberal Baptist churches. 

In 2024, Baptist Women in Ministry of North Carolina celebrated the ordination of the first women, Addie Davis, ordained to the Gospel Ministry of the SBC at Watts Street Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina. In celebrating Addie's ordination, BWIM NC continues to tell the story, open doors and build community for all women called by God to respond with "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening. What do you want me to do?" I Samuel 3:2-3 (NIV)

"We Ordain Women Because We Baptize Girls"

A Sermon by Chuck Poole

Galatians 3:27-29

http://www.centerforbaptiststudies.org/sermons/poole01.htm

Ordination Service Examples

Advice for Ordination

Ordination Advice
Rev. Anne Tambling

On Sunday, May 7, 2023, Knollwood Baptist Church of Winston-Salem, NC ordained Anne Tambling to the Gospel ministry.

Read More →
Rev. Haley Blackwell

On Sunday, May 7, 2023, St. John’s Baptist Church of Charlotte, North Carolina ordained Haley Blackwell to the Gospel ministry.

Read More →
Rev. Leigh Curl

On Sunday, October 4, 2020, Wilshire Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas ordained Leigh Curl to the Gospel ministry.

Read More →
Rev. Elizabeth Miller Villegas

On Sunday, June 2, 2019, First Baptist Church of Ahoskie ordained Elizabeth Miller Villegas, Minister of Children & Youth, to the Gospel ministry.

Read More →

Share Your Own Ordination