Ordination
In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:1-3)
The Early Church gave us a precedent of “setting apart” God’s people for the work to which God has called them to do. We see this in Acts 13 where the leadership of the church responded to the Holy Spirit’s command to set apart Barnabas and Saul. In obedience they prayed, placed their hands and sent them out. The setting apart, prayer, laying of hands and commissioning are what we know today as Ordination.
The Anglican Church maintains the traditional threefold ministry (orders) of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, passed down from the apostles. Therefore, Ordination is a divine calling and sacred trust to whom the Lord has set apart for His work of grace.
We praise God that our Bishop Datuk Melter Jiki Tais will be ordaining 11 brothers into the Diaconate and Priesthood on 26 January 2026 (Monday) at St. Patrick’s Church (House of Prayer) Tawau. The service will begin at 7:30pm.
I strongly encourage all members not to miss this Ordination service for the following reasons:
− You attend a meaningful, solemn liturgical service which is different from usual Sunday services
− You will see the full diocesan workforce i.e. The Diocesan Bishop, Suffragan Bishops, Archdeacons, Dean, Canons, Clergy, Pastors and Evangelists in the service
− The last ordination service held in St. Patrick’s Church was 14 years ago
− You will not only witness but participate in prayer and encouraging our ordinands as they respond to God’s call in their lives
Ephesians 4:11 says “It was He (Christ) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.
Ordination is a testimony of God’s gifts to His Church. So let us come together, worship and receive “God’s gifts” to His Church
.