Elder Ordination Service

Responsive Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4–7, 1

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;

and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;

and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.

Introduction 

Beloved in Christ: All who trust in Christ for salvation are called into the church of Jesus Christ and marked as Christ’s own by the Holy Spirit. This is our common calling, to be disciples and servants of our servant Lord.

Within the community of the church, some are called to particular gospel ministry. Ordination is Christ’s gift to the church, assuring that his ministry continues among us, providing for ministries of preaching the Word and administering the ordinances, ordering the governance of the church, and proclaiming the good news to the world.

Today the elders of _____ present to the congregation _____ to be ordained and set apart for the gospel ministry. _____ has been called by the Lord of the Church into the Office of the Holy Ministry of the gospel. He has been prepared for this ministry by careful study and prayer. He has been examined and declared ready and prepared to undertake this sacred responsibility, and, by the guidance of God the Holy Spirit, he has in the Church’s usual order been called to be _____ of _____. According to apostolic practice, he is now presented to be ordained and consecrated to this office established by God.

Do you, the members of this congregation, believe that it is God’s will that we should proceed with the ordination of _____ to the gospel ministry? If so, answer, “We do.”

We do.

The candidate will come to the front of the chapel and take his appointed seat before the congregation.

Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 3:1–13

Ministerial Vows 

The candidate will stand.

_____, Do you trust in Jesus Christ your Savior, acknowledge him Lord of all and Head of the Church, and through him believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? If so, say, I do.

I do.

Do you accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be, by the Holy Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church universal, and God’s

Word? If so, say, I do.

I do.

Will you fulfill your office in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of Scripture? If so, say I will.

I will.

Will you in your own life seek to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, love your neighbors, and work for the reconciliation of the world? If so, say I will.

I will.

Do you promise to further the peace, unity, and purity of the church? If so, say, I do.

I do.

Will you be a faithful pastor, watching over the people, providing for their worship, nurture, and service? Will you share in government and discipline, serving in governing bodies of the church, and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ? If so, say, I will.

I will.

Addressing the congregation.

Do you, members of _____, as the ordaining congregation, promise to regularly remember _____ before the Lord in prayer, asking that God would grant him integrity, strength, courage, and commitment to fulfill his calling in gospel ministry? If so, say, We do.

We do.

Prayers of Dedication 

The candidate will be seated, and the elders of the church will lay hands on him as a representative elder offers a prayer of consecration.

The candidate and elders are seated.

The members of the congregation are invited to come forward and lay hands on _____, offering brief prayers. Please feel free to come one at a time, as individuals or as families, and then once you have offered your prayer, you may return to your seat. We will take as much time as needed for all who wish to pray for _____ to do so.

Declaration of Ordination

_____, please stand.

_____, In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the great Head of the Church, I now declare you duly constituted and set apart to the sacred ministry of the gospel in the church of Jesus Christ and for this congregation. I charge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to be faithful and true in your ministry so that your whole life will bear witness to the crucified and risen Christ.

May the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, rest upon you and abide with you always. Amen.

The Doxology