Ordination Ceremony - Minister
Ceremonies Section 2020
The ordination ceremony is the part of the church service in which the vows are taken, the charge is given, and a prayer of consecration is offered. This ceremonial form is offered for use in officiating in the ordination of a minister in context of Conservative Mennonite Conference. It is slanted to emphasize task, rather than position; plural congregational leadership, rather than a single pastor without associates or elders; and the office of minister, rather than the specific assignment in which the minister may be currently called to serve. By avoiding reference to the specific assignment, this ceremony is usable for ordination related to a variety of assignments, such as senior pastor, associate pastor, missionary, chaplain, etc. The work assignment of the minister should be recognized, however, in the ordination service or in an installation service. In some cases, an installation ceremony could follow the ordination.
Presentation
The Lord, through the church, has called Brother _______________, to the office of minister. This is a time of recognizing his call to the ministry of the Word and to commission him in the same with the authorization of this congregation and the Conservative Mennonite Conference.
Brother _______________ and Sister _______________, you may now present yourselves to respond to questions concerning your call and your readiness for the ordination charge.
Questions to and responses of the ordinand:
- Brother _____________________, do you accept this call to the Christian ministry of the Word as a call from the Lord, and do you pledge yourself to the ministry of God's Word and to serve faithfully in this calling to the best of your ability by God's grace and the enablement of the Holy Spirit?
(I do.) - Do you promise to devote yourself to the study of the Scriptures; to give careful attention to the Word of God in your personal life and in the work of the ministry; and to maintain, preach, and teach the whole counsel of God?
(I do.) - Will you give careful attention to your life and witness, being subject in your ministry to the counsel of the congregation, the congregational co-leaders, and the conference in which you serve?
(I will.)
Questions to the spouse:
- Do you recognize this call as from the Lord and are you willing for your husband to accept ordination to the ministry?
(I do.) - Do you accept the role of a minister's wife, by the grace of God and the aid of the Holy Spirit, and are you willing to support your husband by living a faithful Christian life, by counsel, and by encouraging him to be loyal to the Holy Scriptures?
(I do.)
The Charge
(To be given with the ordinand and spouse kneeling, with laying on of hands)
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 these witnesses, I ordain you as minister of the Gospel and charge you with the responsibilities and duties of that office.
| 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 Tim. 4:2,5b, NIV]. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers [I Tim. 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 of the Word or may designate another minister to do so. In addition, others, including sisters, may be invited to participate in this part of the laying on of hands and offering prayers for the ordinand and spouse. 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 invites and may assist the couple to rise to their feet. A select group of people can be invited 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 the dismissal of the service.
Officiating Minister ______________________________
Date ______________________________
Assisting Ministers ______________________________
After signing, the officiating minister presents a copy of this litany to the ordainand 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 ordination.