Deacon Ordination Service

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

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 ministry. In the Christian Churches of apostolic times deacons were set apart for ministry, whose office was held in honor, and who were highly esteemed for their services to the Church, in company and partnership with the elders. From early days it was a special part of the duties of these office-bearers to be instruments of the Church’s ministry of compassion toward his people. Church of Christ the King recognizes the office and work of the deacon as in accord with apostolic practice. In the course of time this office and its ministry has developed and grown in value to the church, while to it there has always attached its ancient character as the representative of the Church’s purpose to follow Christ in compassion and ministry to the common needs of the his people.

Presentation

This morning the elders present one man for the office of Deacon of _____: _____. _____ has been commended by the congregation and affirmed by the elders. 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 this man to the office of Deacon?  If so, answer, “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

Questions to the Deacon-elect

The Deacon-elect will stand before the congregation.

The Deacons, together with the Elders, share in the responsibility of leading the congregation in its life of service and its ministries of compassion, and to promote the church’s vision through the life of this church. As well, it is the duty of the Deacons to set an example of godly conduct and character, and to assist the Elders as partners in ministry to the people of this church.

And so, I ask you now to answer aloud the following questions.

_____, 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.

Do you sincerely receive and adopt the Doctrinal Statement of this church as a faithful representation of the doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures? If so, say, I do.

I do.

Do you accept the office of Deacon in this congregation, and promise to faithfully perform the duties thereof? If so, say, I do.

I do.

Will you in your own life seek to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, love your neighbors, and work to further the peace, unity, and purity of the church? If so, say, I do.

I do.

Questions to the Membership of the Church

The members of the Church shall stand.

The following two questions will be addressed to the Membership:

Do you, the members of this Church, acknowledge and receive _____ as Deacon of _____?  If so, answer, “We do.”

And do you promise to yield them all the respect, encouragement, support, and submission in the Lord to which their office, according to the Word of God and the Constitution and By-laws of this Church, entitles them?  If so, answer, “We do.”

The members of the congregation and Deacon-elect shall be seated.

Inasmuch as this man has agreed to serve the Lord by serving this, His congregation, and to faithfully discharge the duties of his office, we shall proceed to ordain and set him apart for the ministry to which he has been called.

Prayers of Dedication

The candidate will be seated, and the elders and deacon 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, and by the authority committed to me in His Church, I hereby declare you duly set apart and ordained to the office of Deacon of _____.

I now charge you, in the name of the Lord Jesus, to be faithful in this your office.

To the Congregation:

I also charge you, Christian people, to be faithful to this Deacon, remembering him in your prayers, providing for his ministry to those in need through the Benevolence Fund, and by loving support and encouragement of his ministry, and by following his example in Christian service.

Blessing

Facing the Deacon:

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

The Congregation will then stand and sing:

The Doxology