I appreciate the update. It is always encouraging to learn of one's efforts being helpful to another, as we each struggle to grow more like Christ. ...
To be straightforward, I am not sure that I understand your second question exactly. However, a few thoughts did come to mind, which I will gladly share...
I am not sure what your pastor means by "ordained". The Bible does not mention any form of "official", or "formal" training to be an elder, deacon, evangelist, or just a plain Christian. Likewise, there is no reference to any formal "ordination", or "certification" that often accompanies such formal training. Depending on the accuracy of the teaching, attending a religious school can be profitable; however, it should have no part in confirming the qualifications of any its attendees. That work of selection is given to each local church - not a seminary, not an inter-congregational board, and certainly not the government. These bodies have no authority in recognizing spiritual offices, as far as the Bible is concerned. If they do, then I would ask a disputant for the passage to justify their authority, just as you seem to be asking.
In contrast to this, the Scriptures do refer to the early Jerusalem church
"looking amongst themselves" to appoint servants to the particular task of caring for its widows (
Acts 6:1-7). Moreover, Peter warns elders, or pastors, not to
"lord themselves over the flock", instead they are to be examples to the flock (
I Peter 5:1-5). This indicates that the elders have no authority to direct, or command the flock as would a "lord" or ruler. Therefore, elders have no more authority than that which arises from the flock voluntarily submitting to their wisdom. This would also suggest that elders are ultimately selected by the church; otherwise, they would needs be installed as some form of a "lord". In such a case, the congregation would be submitting to both the elders and the appointing board as "lords".
The qualifications for elders and deacons are plainly set forth in Scripture (
I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9). Although the Scriptures speak of preachers and apostles appointing elders and deacons (
Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5), my understanding is that they only "appointed" in the sense that they originally set forth God's will on qualified elders and deacons and, through their preaching, stimulated the congregation to follow God's will in appointing such men. This is the only way that I can reconcile all of these passages.
I would have no problem with an evangelist, or minister obtaining a legal certification, so he can legally perform marriage ceremonies. That seems a social ordination to perform a social task, which is not directly related to the spiritual work of the church. I would only be concerned if one thought this was necessary to perform the spiritual work of the church. As I said earlier, the Bible does not recognize any authority for governments in appointing spiritual officers for the church.
I apologize if this did not address your question. Maybe you can at least understand my thinking, and now refine my direction to address your original question. Hopefully, this will be of some help none the less.
As a side topic, you mentioned "your pastor". Although you did not raise this as part of your question, I would share my concern for a church having a single pastor, since pastors (which I believe is synonymous with elders) were always appointed in plural. The Bible never mentions a single elder being appointed in a church. It always speaks of
"elders" or
"pastors" in plural (
Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2, 6, 22, 23; 20:17, 28; 21:18; Philippians 1:2; I Timothy 4:14; Titus 1:5; Hebrews 13:8, 17; I Peter 5:1-5). I would encourage you to read our brief article on elders, which addresses this topic in a little more detail:
http://insearchoftruth.org/articles/elders.html
My prayer is that these thoughts will be spiritually beneficial to you and the others there in Nebraska.
Please let me know if I can be of any more assistance, or if I can clarify any of these thoughts. I am always open to considering others understanding, if you find these viewpoints questionable.
Thanks again for your encouragement. It is greatly appreciated.
May God bless us with a more sincere love of the truth every day