Ordination Ceremony - Bishop
Ceremonies Section 2040
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 bishop 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 bishop, rather than the specific assignment in which the bishop may be currently called to serve. The work assignment of the bishop 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 bishop. This is a time of recognizing his call 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 the call and your readiness for the ordination charge.
Questions to the ordinand:
- Brother _____________________, do you accept this call to the office of bishop as from the Lord, and do you pledge yourself 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 office of bishop?
(I do.) - 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 am.)
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 to the office of bishop and charge you with the responsibilities and duties of that office.
Preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and teach the Word of God in its purity and strength. Nurture the believers and warn sinners. Lead the congregation in the administration of the ordinances, the discipline of the unrepentant, and in the general affairs of the church.
| KJV
"Be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine . . . 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
"Be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. . . . 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 this prayer of consecration (setting aside) to the office of bishop 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 this copy of the litany to the ordinand 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.