Ministerial License Ceremony
Ceremonies Section 2010
The licensing ceremony is the part of the church service in which a commission is given and the licensee commits himself to the work of the ministry and a prayer of consecration is offered. This ceremonial form is offered for use in officiating in the issuing of a ministerial license in the context of Conservative Mennonite Conference. Since licensure is for a specific term and a specific task, reference is made to the context in which the licensed minister is expected to serve. In some cases, an installation ceremony could follow the issuing of the license.
Presentation
The Lord, through the church, has called Brother _______________ to serve in the ministry of the Word. This is a time of recognizing that assignment and to commission him with the authorization of this congregation and the Conservative Mennonite Conference.
Brother _______________ and Sister _______________, you may now present yourselves to respond to questions concerning this call and commission and to express your readiness to receive the ministerial license.
Questions to the Ordinate
- Brother _______________, do you accept this call to serve in the Christian ministry as a call from the Lord and are you willing to serve as a licensed minister in this congregation for a period of years?
(I do.) - Will you, by the grace of God and the aid of the Holy Spirit, give yourself to the work of a Christian minister by faithfully teaching and preaching the Word of God?
(I do.) - Do you commit yourself to serve, during the term of this license, in the ministry of the Word in the _______________ congregation [or name of institution or kind of ministry such as chaplaincy or prison work] in cooperation with the leadership of the congregation [or institution]?
(I do.)
Question to the Spouse
Sister _______________, do you accept your husband's call to this ministry and are you willing by God's grace and the aid of the Holy Spirit to support him in this ministry by living a faithful Christian life, by counsel, and by encouraging him to be loyal to the Holy Scriptures?
(I do.)
The License
In the name of Christ and His church, in behalf of this congregation and the Conservative Mennonite Conference, and in response to the confession and promises which you have made in the presence of God and the witnesses, this license constitutes a charge to you to serve as a minister of the Gospel.
| KJV
Preach and teach the Word of God in its purity and strength and, as called upon, administer the ordinances of the church. Nurture the believers and call sinners to repentance. "Be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine . . . Do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry" [II Tim. 4:2,5b KJV]. "Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine, continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee [I Tim. 4:16 KJV]. |
NIV
Preach and teach the Word of God in its purity and strength and, as called upon, administer the ordinances of the church. Nurture the believers and call sinners to repentance. "Be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.... Do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. [ II Timothy 4:2, 5b NIV] Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. [I Timothy 4:16 NIV] |
May God, who has called you to this ministry, anoint you with the Holy Spirit, give you grace and wisdom, and bless you in all things through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Consecration
The officiating minister may offer a prayer of consecration (setting aside) to the ministry to which the licensee has been commissioned or may designate another minister to do so. In addition, others, including sisters, may be invited to participate in gathering around the licensee and his spouse and offer prayers for them. The prayer by the officiating minister or designate may appropriately be the closing prayer of this feature.
Greeting the Couple
After the prayer of consecration, the officiating minister may invite a select group of people to greet the couple with words of blessing. The select group may consist of ministers and wives in attendance in the meeting or those who surrounded the couple during the prayer of consecration. In some congregations, members of a leadership team, such as elders and their wives may be in that group. All should be invited to come forward to greet the couple after dismissal of the service.
The License
This ministerial license commissions _______________ to serve as a minister of the Gospel. This license is authorized by the _______________ (church or agency) to serve as a minister of the Gospel during the term of the license. The term of this license extends from _______________ to _______________. Given this _______________ of _______________.
Officiating Minister: _______________
Assisting Ministers: _______________
After signing, the officiating minister presents this license and litany to the licensee and submits the Report of Ordination or License form to the CMC office. Upon receipt of the report, the CMC office issues a billfold-size card which certifies the license.