Jesus said that “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Luke 10: 2). He stated this after seeing the people ready to receive the gospel (Mat. 9: 37,38; John 4: 35). But what is required are workers who would do the work faithfully. Ordained ministry has gained importance right from the Old Testament days. The resurrected Christ ordained Peter to “Feed my lambs… Take care of my sheep… Feed my sheep…” (John 21: 15- 17). To the shepherds who faithfully do the ministry a crown which will never fade away is promised when the Chief Shepherd appears again. The Shepherd is the guard of the people. The duty assigned to him is to blow the trumpet and warn the people when the sword comes against them (Ezekiel 33: 1-3). God calls strong shepherds to lead the people to truth and dharma and thus to partake in the kingdom of God in an era in which they are exploited and are steeped in violence, corruption and other vice. We see in the Scriptures an exhortation to do the ministry for the growth of Church by working faithfully, joyfully, rooted in God’s word and by setting a good example. In the Old Testament the Priest interceded for the people and offered sacrifices for them. It was the Priest who pleaded for the people and stood for their penitence. Thus they took on the ministry of reconciling the people with God. Ordained ministry is a ministry of the fragrance of Christ.

1.Priesthood and Ordination in the Old Testament (Exodus 29: 1-9)
In the Old Testament the preparation for choosing for the priesthood was of utmost importance because a Priest was somebody who stood before God as a representative of man. Since the thought that man violated the law of God rules man he does not have the courage to approach God directly. Here they desire the intervention of somebody who is more acceptable than them. Through this individual they offer their prayers, praise and sacrifices. Thus for everything related to God the Priest became a representative of man and a representative of God to man. God chose Aaron’s sons to be priests (Exodus 6: 18, 20; 28:1). But among them Nadab and Abihu had to die without descendants since they offered unauthorized fire to the Lord (Leviticus 10). Thus the other two sons of Aaron- Eleazer and Ithamar, became priests. We see in Exodus 29: 1-9 Aaron and his sons being prepared for priesthood. Exodus 28 records the laws related to priesthood. They must be ‘Holy to the Lord’ (Exodus 28: 36). Urim and Thimmim (Revelation and Truth) should be there in their heart. They should work by following righteousness and justice alone because they are the fragrance of Christ.

2.The Model for Ordained Ministry in the New Testament (Ephesians 5: 1- 14)
According to the New Testament, Aaron is just a shadow of Christ. God ordained Christ to offer a full penitence for sins and to extend salvation to mankind (Hebrews 5: 5- 10). Jesus Christ’s priesthood is in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5: 6; 6: 20; 7: 21; Psalm 110: 4). Melchizedek who is the image of the Messiah was a royal priest. Christ’s priesthood which is in the order of Melchizedek is one that astonishes the priesthood of Aaron.

1. It is sworn with an oath from God (Hebrews 7: 20 -22).
2. It is permanent because it is rooted in Christ who is eternal (Hebrews 7: 23- 25)
3. It stands in the wholeness of Christ unlike Aaron’s sons who have to offer penitence for their own sins (Heb. 7: 26- 28).
4. This priesthood continues in the sanctuary that is heaven (Heb. 8: 1-7).
5. It is the fulfilment of the New Testament which is the promise of God (Heb. 8: 8 -13).
6. In it there is no need to offer sacrifices. The offering has been completed once and for all (Heb. 7: 27; 9: 12).
7. It is not the blood of bulls and goats which cannot remove sins that has been offered but the blood of Jesus (Heb. 10: 4, 10)
8. Through this not just the priests but all Christians were bestowed continuous entrance (Heb. 10: 11 -22)
9. The promises and hopes of this are rooted in God’s faithfulness and Christ’s resurrection (Heb. 9: 28; 10: 23).
10. Eternal forgiveness of sins. It provides an ardour for acts of righteousness and love (Heb. 10: 19- 25).

It was in this belief that during Reformation when the Protestant Church was formed they declared this Universal Priesthood. The Church which is the body of Christ has been consecrated as the priestly nation. Peter points out two criteria for this priesthood 1) Through Jesus Christ offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God (1 Peter 2: 5) 2) To declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2: 9). The concept of royal priesthood, holy nation has been made clear in the book of Revelation. There we see that the churches have been made to be the kingdom and priests to God (Rev. 1: 6; 5: 10; 20: 6). They will reign on the earth (Rev. 5: 10). So for the ministry of priests our model is Jesus. For Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2). Therefore it is recorded in Ephesians 5: 1- 14 to imitate him. Peter exhorts the ministers to be a model to the flock of sheep and to imitate the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5: 1-5).

3.Challenges in Ordained Ministry (Luke 10: 1-11)
There are many challenges in God’s ministry. The Lord said about this that He is sending them as sheep amongst wolves. Here we are asked to be wise as serpents and as innocent as doves. God’s kingdom should be preached in this ministry. The sick should be healed. Peace should come within families. It is this ministry that the Lord and Apostles did.