Assisting in Ordination or Licensure
Policy Section 1110
The officiating minister is encouraged to arrange, in consultation with the congregational leadership, for one or two ordained ministers (bishops, ministers, or deacons) to assist in ordination. Assisting includes (1) participating in the selection and determination of qualifications of the candidate, (2) standing by the officiating minister in the administration of the vows and the pronouncement of the charge, and (3) laying on hands along with the officiating minister. Assisting ministers may also participate in a prayer of invocation and commission.
Freedom may be exercised in ministerial and non-ministerial participants joining in expressions of prayer, greetings, and encouragement in behalf of both the ordainand and the spouse. But only ordained ministers (bishops, ministers, and deacons) will be included in the report to the CMC business meeting as having assisted.