Ministerial Catechism by Bishop E. Malone Porterfield, Sr.

A divine call, a church license, an ordination, and a ministry appointment are related, but they are not identical. Ministerial Catechism gives churches and candidates a serious framework for recognizing the difference and exercising gospel ministry with truth, maturity, and accountability. Written for licensed ministers, ordained ministers, pastors, bishops, instructors, and examining councils, this complete formation manual traces the biblical language of ministry; studies calling, appointment, commissioning, and laying on of hands; explains the purpose and boundaries of licensure; examines ordination and public trust; and develops the character standards of First Timothy, Second Timothy, and Titus. It also addresses preaching and teaching, Baptist doctrine and polity, worship and ordinances, pastoral care, safeguarding, women in ministry, titles, clerical clothing and vestments, civil recognition, discipline, and continuing formation. The volume includes sixteen lessons, 150 catechetical questions and answers, a licensed-versus-ordained comparison, an ordination-council examination, ten case studies, model credentialing policies, sample certificates and covenants, service texts, working ministry forms, a historical timeline, a Scripture and word-study dossier, a glossary, and documented research notes. Baptist and Missionary Baptist practice is treated with congregational integrity, while the Book of Common Prayer and wider Christian ordinals are used as historical and liturgical comparison points. The result is a complete, usable, and defensible guide for ministers who must unite calling and gifting with doctrine, character, supervision, service, and public accountability.