THE TRAGEDY OF A WRONG ORDINATION

 THE TRAGEDY OF A WRONG ORDINATION

 

By: Evangelist Oluwole Olaleye 

Ordination is meant to be a sacred doorway—an affirmation that a person has been called, prepared, tested, and approved by God and the body of believers. When done rightly, it releases grace, authority, and fruitfulness. But when ordination is rushed, politicized, sentimentalized, or corrupted, it becomes a tragedy—not only for the individual ordained, but for the Church, the people, and even generations after.

1. Ordination Is a Calling, Not a Convenience

In Scripture, ordination flows from divine calling, not human ambition. “No one takes this honor upon himself, but he is called by God” (Hebrews 5:4). A wrong ordination happens when desire replaces calling, when zeal runs ahead of obedience, and when people are elevated before they are shaped.

Many are ordained because they are gifted, eloquent, connected, or financially strong—but gifting is not the same as calling. Charisma can attract crowds; only calling can sustain responsibility. When ordination ignores this distinction, tragedy is already in motion.

2. The Cost to the Ordained

A wrongly ordained person often enters a role they are not spiritually built to carry. The result is burnout, confusion, moral compromise, pride, or deep insecurity. They struggle privately while performing publicly.

Instead of becoming shepherds, they become performers. Instead of servants, they become celebrities. Instead of growing in grace, they hide behind titles. What should have been a blessing becomes a burden—and sometimes a slow spiritual death.

3. The Wound to the Church

Wrong ordination damages trust. When leaders fall, abuse authority, or misrepresent God, the sheep suffer. People become disillusioned, wounded, or cynical about faith. Some walk away from church entirely—not because God failed them, but because leadership misled them.

The Church then spends years doing damage control instead of advancing the Kingdom. One wrong ordination can scatter what took decades to gather.

4. When Politics Replace Discernment

In many settings, ordination is influenced by favoritism, ethnicity, family ties, money, or pressure to “fill positions.” Discernment is replaced with politics. Prayer is replaced with lobbying. Character checks are replaced with emotional appeals.

But God is not mocked. Titles given by men without God’s backing carry no spiritual weight—and often invite spiritual resistance.

5. Saul vs. David: A Timeless Warning

Saul was crowned by public demand; David was anointed in obscurity. Saul had position without depth; David had process before power. Saul’s reign ended in tragedy. David’s failures were real, but his foundation was divine.

Wrong ordination produces Sauls—right look, wrong heart. Right platform, wrong preparation.

6. The Tragedy Is Preventable

This tragedy is not inevitable. It can be avoided when:

Calling is tested over time

Character is valued above charisma

Process is honored over speed

Spiritual discernment outweighs pressure

Ordination is seen as responsibility, not reward

Ordination should confirm what heaven has already approved—not create what heaven never called.

7. A Call to Pause and Repent

The Church must recover the fear of God in ordination. Leaders must be courageous enough to say “not yet” or “not you.” Candidates must be humble enough to wait, learn, and be formed.

It is better to delay ordination than to rush into regret.

Conclusion

The tragedy of a wrong ordination is not merely a leadership error—it is a spiritual misalignment. It burdens the called, confuses the people, and dishonors the sacredness of God’s work. But when ordination is restored to its rightful place—holy, careful, prayerful—it becomes what it was always meant to be: a gateway to life, service, and lasting fruit.

Not everyone who wants the oil is ready for the weight it carries.

The full book is coming. Watch out!