Ordination Ceremony - Deacon
Ceremonies Section 2030
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 deacon in context of Conservative Mennonite Conference. By avoiding reference to the specific congregation of assignment, the office of deacon is not limited to a specific congregation for the duration of the ordinand holding the office. The work assignment of the deacon 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, by the Holy Spirit through the church, has called Brother _______________________ to the office of deacon. This is a time of recognizing his call to that ministry and commissioning 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 the Ordinand
- Brother _____________________, do you accept this call to the work of a deacon as a call 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 understanding the physical, material and relational needs in the congregation and to provide leadership, in cooperation with the congregational leadership, to enable the congregation to respond to those needs?
(I do.) - Will you give careful attention to your life and witness, maintaining and teaching the whole counsel of God in you ministry, being subject to the counsel of the congregation, the congregational co-leaders, and the conference in which you serve?
(I will.) - Are you willing to assist in leading of the congregation and in the ministry of the Word in accordance with the teachings and instructions of the Scriptures.
(I am.)
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 deacon?
(I do.) - Do you, by the grace of God and the aid of the Holy Spirit, accept the role of an ordained deacon's wife and are you willing to support your husband as a faithful companion by counsel, by living a faithful Christian life, 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 hands laid on.)
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 deacon and charge you with the responsibilities and duties of that office.
Be diligent in responding to the distressed and needy in behalf of the congregation. In the name of Christ and the church, seek to provide counsel and aid where there is poverty or disability, to effect reconciliation where there is strife, and to restore honor and respect where there is degradation. Advise the leadership and the congregation of needs and opportunities to dispense alms and other forms of aid. Assist the pastoral leadership in the pastoral ministries of preaching, counseling, administration, and the ordinances, and be available to perform the pastoral ministries in the event of an absence of pastoral leadership in the congregation or when requested to do so.
"Visit the Fatherless and widows in their affliction" [James 1:27 KJV]. (Or: "Look after orphans and widows in their distress" James 1:27 NIV). Conduct you life and ministry as a servant, always seeking the fullness and wisdom of the Holy Spirit [Acts 6:3].
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 deacon 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.