The Service and Ceremony

Policy Section 1130

1. Ordination
   
   

   The order of the ordination service and the ceremony are arranged by the officiating minister in consultation with local leadership. An ordination ceremony is provided in this manual. The ceremony should include these features:

   1. Questions to and responses (vows) by the candidate
   2. Questions to and responses by the candidate's wife
   3. Laying on of hands and the ordination charge
   4. Prayer
      

   The inclusion of the spouse in the ceremony should be arranged to represent spousal complementarity and support in the work of the ministry without portraying spousal ordination and ministerial responsibility.

   Provision should be made for expressions of prayer, greetings, and encouragement in behalf of both the ordinand and the spouse after the ceremony.

2. Licensure
   
   

   A ministerial license is issued by the officiating minister. It should include a written document with date of issue, term of license, and signature of officiating minister. The setting of issuing the license may vary in form and degree of ritual, but is generally less ceremonial than ordination. The officiating minister is responsible to arrange for the procedures and setting for licensure. A licensing ceremony is provided in this manual.

3. Extension of license
   
   

   Extension of license may be effected without public ceremony by filling out and signing the "Ministerial License Extension" form in section 3030.

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