The design is chosen and the date is set, but what should the certificate actually say? Below are more than 20 ready-to-copy ordination certificate wording examples for pastors, deacons, elders, ministers and youth pastors, plus short versions for smaller designs, Bible verses that suit each office, and the mistakes churches most often make.
In this guide
What goes on an ordination certificate
Traditions differ, but almost every ordination certificate contains the same seven parts. If your wording covers these, it will read correctly in any denomination:
- The church or ministry name, usually at the top, sometimes with the city and state.
- A title: "Certificate of Ordination" is the most common. Some churches use "Certificate of Ordination to the Gospel Ministry" or "Ordination Certificate".
- A declaration, such as "This is to certify that" or "Be it known that".
- The full name of the person ordained, as the church records it.
- The office: Pastor, Deacon, Elder, Minister, Evangelist, and so on, often with a phrase describing the call.
- The date and place of the ordination service.
- Signatures of those who presided, commonly the senior pastor and a clerk, board chair or another ordained minister, and the church seal if you have one.
Pastor ordination certificate wording
Pastor · traditional
This is to certify that [Full Name], having given satisfactory evidence of a call to the Gospel ministry, was examined, approved and set apart by prayer and the laying on of hands, and was ordained to the work and office of Pastor by [Church Name] on the [Day] day of [Month], [Year].
Pastor · shepherd emphasis
Be it known that [Full Name] has been ordained as Pastor of [Church Name], to preach the Word, lead in worship, administer the ordinances and shepherd the congregation entrusted to their care. Given at [City, State] this [Date].
Pastor · modern and simple
[Church Name] joyfully recognizes the call of God on the life of [Full Name] and, with the affirmation of this congregation, ordains them to pastoral ministry on [Date].
See this wording on a finished design: the editable pastor ordination certificate, or browse all pastor ordination certificate designs.
Deacon ordination certificate wording
Deacon · traditional (Acts 6)
This is to certify that [Full Name], having been chosen by the members of [Church Name] and found to be of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, was ordained to the office of Deacon by prayer and the laying on of hands on the [Day] day of [Month], [Year].
Deacon · service emphasis
Be it known that [Full Name] was set apart to the office of Deacon, to serve the church and its members, care for those in need, and support the ministry of the Word at [Church Name], [City, State], on [Date].
Deacon · Baptist style
This certifies that [Full Name], having been duly elected by [Church Name] and examined by an ordination council, was publicly ordained as a Deacon of this church on [Date].
Deacon certificates are our most requested ordination design. See the editable deacon ordination certificate, or read our guide to planning a deacon ordination service.
Elder ordination certificate wording
Elder · traditional
This is to certify that [Full Name], having been called by the congregation of [Church Name] and examined according to the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, was ordained to the office of Elder on [Date].
Elder · oversight emphasis
Be it known that [Full Name] was set apart as an Elder of [Church Name], to share in the oversight, teaching and spiritual care of the church, on the [Day] day of [Month], [Year].
Minister, reverend and youth pastor wording
Minister of the Gospel
This is to certify that [Full Name] was ordained to the Gospel ministry by [Church or Ministry Name], having been found faithful in life and sound in doctrine, on [Date] at [City, State].
Reverend
[Church Name] hereby recognizes that The Reverend [Full Name] was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament on [Date], and commends them to the service of Christ and His church.
Youth pastor
This certifies that [Full Name] was ordained as Youth Pastor of [Church Name], to teach, mentor and shepherd the young people of this congregation, on [Date].
Evangelist
Be it known that [Full Name], having shown a clear call to proclaim the Gospel, was ordained as an Evangelist by [Church Name] on [Date].
Short versions for smaller designs
Portrait designs and certificates with large borders have less room. These one-line versions keep the essentials:
- This certifies that [Full Name] was ordained as Pastor of [Church Name] on [Date].
- This certifies that [Full Name] was ordained to the office of Deacon by [Church Name] on [Date].
- [Full Name] was set apart as an Elder of [Church Name] on [Date].
- Ordained to the Gospel ministry by [Church Name], [City, State], [Date].
- In recognition of their call, [Church Name] ordains [Full Name] as Minister of the Gospel.
- Set apart by prayer and the laying on of hands, [Date].
Bible verses for ordination certificates
| Office | Verse |
|---|---|
| Pastor | "Feed the flock of God which is among you." — 1 Peter 5:2 |
| Pastor | "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season." — 2 Timothy 4:2 |
| Deacon | "Look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom." — Acts 6:3 |
| Deacon | "Let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon." — 1 Timothy 3:10 |
| Elder | "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock." — Acts 20:28 |
| Minister | "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed." — 2 Timothy 2:15 |
| Evangelist | "Do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." — 2 Timothy 4:5 |
| Any office | "Neglect not the gift that is in thee." — 1 Timothy 4:14 |
Use the translation your church reads from on Sunday. If you change translation, check the verse reference still matches.
Ordination certificate designs with this wording
Every word on these designs can be changed in the browser, so you can paste in any example above. Edit and preview for free; you only pay if you download.
Need a design for an elder, bishop, chaplain or evangelist?
See all ordination certificate templatesCommon mistakes to avoid
- Using a nickname. Use the full name the church uses in its membership records.
- A vague office. "Ordained to ministry" is fine for a minister, but name the office exactly for a pastor, deacon or elder.
- Wrong date. Use the date of the ordination service, not the date of the vote or the council.
- Missing signatures. Leave space for two signatures, even if your design shows only one line.
- Spelling the church name differently from your bulletin, sign or letterhead.
- Claiming more than the certificate is. It records your church's act of ordination. Avoid adding wording about legal status or government recognition.
Questions churches ask
Who signs an ordination certificate?
Usually the pastor or minister who presided, and a second person such as the church clerk, the chair of deacons or a member of the ordination council. Some churches have every ordained minister present sign.
Should the date be written in words?
Writing it out ("the fifteenth day of November, 2026") gives a formal, traditional look. Numerals are fine on modern designs. Pick one and use it on every certificate your church issues.
Is an ordination certificate a legal document?
It is your church's record of the ordination and a keepsake for the person ordained. It is not issued by a government, and the certificate itself doesn't create any legal status.
Can we change every line of the wording?
Yes. On our templates every line of text is editable, including the title, the declaration and the signature labels, and you see the finished certificate before you decide to download.