ORDER OF SERVICE FOR
THE ORDINATION
OF
REV
AND INDUCTION TO
THE PASTORATE OF
CHURCH
ON
SERVICE CONDUCTED BY
THE MODERATOR:
PREACHER:
1.
PROCESSIONAL HYMN:
2.
THE GREETING (Congregation stands)
Moderator: Grace and peace to you from God who
was and is, and is to come, and from Jesus Christ
the faithful witness, and the sovereign of the rulers
on earth.
People: To God, be the glory in the church and
in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and
ever. Amen
3.
PRAYER
3.1 Prayer of Adoration
Praise and glory to you, mighty Lord God! You
created this universe, and care for it.
Praise and glory to you, God our father! You love us
with a love that has no limits; you have given your
son, Jesus Christ, to reconcile us to you and to one
another.
Praise and glory to you from every part of your
dominion from the church in heaven and on earth
from our voices and our lives!
ALL: We bless you; we adore you through Jesus
Christ, our Lord. Amen.
3.2 Prayer of Repentance and Forgiveness
Let us confess our sins to God:
 Our actions that have broken his commandments
and injured his children; (Silent prayer)
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 Our words that have betrayed Christ our Lord and
hurt or hindered those he came to save; (Silent
prayer)
 Our thoughts that have been unworthy of him;
(Silent prayer)
 All the wrong we have done, and the good we have
left undone. (Silent prayer)
Moderator: Lord, have mercy on us.
Response: Christ, have mercy on us.
Moderator: Lord, have mercy on us.
Response:
For the sake of your son, Christ,
our Lord, forgive us all that is past, and grant
that we may serve you in newness of life, to the
glory of your name.
3.3 Assurance of Pardon
Moderator: Beloved in Christ, receive the
assurance that God pardons all that repent and turn
to him in faith. The Apostle John declares: If we
confess our sins, he is just, and may be trusted to
forgive our sins and cleanse us from every kind of
wrong. Your sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake.
Response:
Thanks be to God!
4.
CHURCH CHOIR
5.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
You have taught us, Lord God that we cannot live on
bread alone, but on every word you utter. May your
Holy Spirit so opens the scriptures to us that we may
see Jesus and hear your word made flesh in him,
receiving his good news with joy, so that we may
live to your glory forever.
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6.
SCRIPTURE READING:
Old Testament:
Reader: This is the Word of God
Response: Thanks be to God
New Testament:
Reader: This is the Word of God
Response: Thanks be to God
Gospel:
Reader: This is the Good News of Christ
Response: Praise to Christ our Lord
7.
HYMN:
8.
STATEMENT BY THE MODERATOR
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the king and
head of the Church and by the authority of the
Assembly of the United Congregational Church of
Southern Africa, we have come together to ordain
to the ministry of the Word and the Sacraments, and
by authority of the KwaZulu Natal Regional Council
to induct him/her to the pastorate of this church.
A minister is called to proclaim the Word of God, to
teach and encourage the congregation, and to call
them to repentance to God, through Jesus Christ,
our Lord and Saviour.
A minister serves the congregation in the
administration of the Sacraments. He/she cares and
loves his/her congregation in such a way that they
may grow in grace, and in the knowledge and love
of the Lord, and become a light in the world.
Ordination to this holy service rests on God’s calling,
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which is acknowledged and confirmed by the
Church of Christ.
We come now to set apart .....
to this holy calling, to hear from the ..... Church how
they have called / decided in consultation with the....
Region to extend a call to
/accept his/her
placement to labour among them, to hear from .... of
his/her assurance that God has called him/her to
this charge, of his/her faith and of his/her intention to
be a faithful pastor to this congregation
9.
STATEMENT BY THE ORDINAND
The ordinand will give a short account of his/her
journey leading to this occasion.
10. AFFIRMATION BY THE ORDINAND
(The Moderator addresses the ordinand, who
stands):
Moderator: My brother/sister ...... seeing that
through grace God has called you to be a minister,
that you have already given proof of your call to
ministry, that this church has been led to call /accept
you to its pastorate, and that now we about to
commit its charge to you,
I ask you in the name of the Church:
Are you persuaded that God has called you to be an
ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and are
you ready with the help of God to enter this ministry
and to serve faithfully in it?
Response: I am.
Moderator: Do you believe in the one Triune God,
and in Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord?
Response: I do.
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Moderator: Do you believe that the scriptures of the
Old and New Testaments contain all things
necessary for eternal salvation through faith in
Jesus Christ?
Response: I do.
Moderator: Do you believe that you are truly called
by God to the ordained ministry and the pastoral
oversight of this congregation?
Response: I do.
Moderator: Do you reaffirm your assent to the
constitution of the United Congregational Church of
Southern Africa and do you undertake to exercise
your ministry in accordance with it?
Response: I do.
Moderator: Do you promise as a minister of the
United Congregational Church of Southern Africa to
continue to be subject to its government and to take
the part entrusted to you in the administration of its
affairs?
Response: I do.
Moderator: May God, our heavenly Father, who has
called you into this holy ministry, grant you his Spirit,
strengthen you, and so direct you that you may
serve him faithfully and fruitfully, to his praise and
glory, and to the furthering of the kingdom of Jesus
Christ, his Son. Amen.
11. HYMN:
12. ACT OF ORDINATION
12.1 The Ordination Prayer
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The ordinand kneels while ministers gather and lay
hands on him/her.
Moderator: We praise and worship you, O God, for
your great love shown to us in Jesus Christ, our
source of great blessing and joy. We praise you that
through his death and resurrection he has
conquered death and opened up your kingdom for
all who believe in him. We thank you that through
the gifts of your Holy Spirit you enable us to help in
the work of being the body of Christ here on earth.
We thank you for your servant ..... who has heard
and accepted your call. Fill him/her with your Holy
Spirit, as we ordain him/her to the ministry of
Christ’s church.
12.2 Declaration of Ordination
Moderator: In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and on behalf of the United Congregational Church
of Southern Africa, I declare you ordained to the
ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Church of
Jesus Christ.
And may our God of all grace, who has called you
through Jesus Christ to share in his everlasting
glory, strengthen and confirm you in this holy calling.
The congregation is seated.
12.3 Presentations
The ordinand is presented with a Bible from the
Denomination, as well as a certificate of Ordination,
signed by the Moderator and other participating
ministers of the denomination.
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12.4 Vesting with the Robes
The ordinand is robed.
13. ACT OF INDUCTION
13.1 Introduction by the Moderator
Let us now hear from the members of .....Church
how they have been led by the Holy Spirit to call
(accept the placement) of .... as their minister.
13.2 Statement by Local Church
A representative of the local church gives a short
account of events leading to this day.
13.3 Questions to the minister and the Local Church
Leader: My brother/sister do you affirm your sense
of call to the ordained ministry and accept your call
to this congregation?
Response: I do
The members of the local church stand and the
moderator says to them:
Moderator:
Do you, the members of the CHURCH,
acknowledge
as your minister, and do you
receive him/her in the name of Jesus Christ? Do you
promise to share with him/her in the ministry of this
church, and at all times to encourage him/her and
loyally support him/her?
Response: We do.
13.4 The Promises of the Minister and the Local
Church
Commitment to the Word of God
The moderator conducts the Minister to the lectern
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Moderator: Hear the words of Paul: every inspired
scripture has its use for teaching the truth and
refuting error or for the reformation of manners and
discipline in right living, so that the man who belongs
to God may be efficient and equipped for good work
of every kind.
Moderator: My brother/sister
will you diligently
study the scriptures? Will you read and expound
them to the people?
Response: With God’s help, I will.
Moderator: People of this church, will you read and
meditate on the scriptures, so that you may grow in
the knowledge of God and in obedience to his word?
Response: With God’s help, we will.
The presiding minister conducts the Ministerelect to the pulpit.
Moderator: Hear the words of Paul: “Before God,
and before Christ Jesus who is to judge men living
and dead, I charge you solemnly by his coming
appearance and his reign, proclaim the message,
press it home on all occasions, convenient or
inconvenient, use argument, reproof, and appeal,
with all the patience that the work of teaching
requires.”
Moderator: My brother/sister
will you proclaim
God’s word with boldness? Will you teach the truth,
and banish error?
Response: With God’s help, I will.
Moderator: People of this church, will you hear what
is preached? Will you apply it to your lives, and by
word and deed commend the gospel to others?
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Response: With God’s help, we will.
Commitment to Worship and Prayer
The presiding minister conducts the Minister-elect to
the body of the church
Moderator: Hear the words of Paul: I urge then
petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings
be offered for all people. Such prayer is right that all
people should find salvation and come to know the
truth.
Moderator: My brother/sister will you be faithful in
prayer? Will you help the people to persevere and to
grow in the life of prayer? Will you lead them in
worship, and order the services in God’s house with
reverence and care?
Response: With God’s help, I will.
Moderator: People of this church, will you be faithful
in daily prayer? Will you come together regularly, to
worship almighty God, and to pray for the needs of
the whole world?
Response: With God’s help, we will.
Commitment to the sacraments
The presiding minister conducts the Minister-elect to
the baptismal font.
Moderator: Hear the words of our Saviour Christ:
go forth therefore and make all nations my disciples;
baptise men everywhere in the name of the father
and the son and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to
observe all that I have commanded you, and be
assured, I am with you always, to the end of time.
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Moderator: My brother/sister
will you joyfully
administer the sacrament of baptism, and instruct
the people in it?
Response: With God’s help, I will.
Moderator: People of this church, will you honour
your commitment to Christ through your baptism,
and faithfully care for all who are baptised into this
fellowship?
Response: With God’s help, we will.
The presiding minister conducts the Minister-elect to
stand in front of the communion table
Moderator: Hear the words of Paul: “When we
bless ‘the cup of blessing’ is it not a means of
sharing in the blood of Christ? When we break the
bread, is it not a means of sharing in the body of
Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, many as we
are, are one body; for it is one loaf of which we all
partake. For every time you eat this bread and drink
the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord, until he
comes.”
My brother/sister
will you joyfully celebrate the
Lord’s Supper with your people, so that Christ’s
saving death and resurrection may be proclaimed,
and his body, the church, may be built up in love?
Response: With God’s help, I will.
Moderator: People of this church, will you come
with joy and thanksgiving to take part in the Lord’s
Supper, preparing yourselves in faith and
penitence?
Response: With God’s help, we will.
Commitment to Christ and to one another
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Moderator: My brother/sister, and you, the people
of this church, you are the body of Christ in this
place; through you God continues his work today.
Make full use of the varied gifts with which the Holy
Spirit richly bestows on each of you for the common
good.
Support one another in prayer and fellowship.
Witness to Christ in your work, in your leisure, and in
your homes.
Strive for justice in society. Be instruments of
Christ’s peace and love.
Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus for
without him you can do nothing. So I ask you, do
you turn to Christ, and dedicate your life to him?
Minister and Congregation: We turn to Christ,
and dedicate our lives to him.
Commitment to the wider church
Moderator: My brother/sister, and you, the people
of this church, will you take your share in the affairs
of this region, of the South Africa Synod, and of the
United Congregational Church of Southern Africa?
Will you support the work of the gospel throughout
the world? And will you work and pray for the
reunion of Christ’s church?
Minister and Congregation: With God’s help, we
will.
The moderator then addresses the rest of the
wider church:
Brothers and sisters in Christ, here you represent
the church as a whole. Will you love and care for the
minister and members of this church and
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congregation? Will you encourage them in the
Lord’s work, and hold them in your concern and in
your prayers?
The rest of the congregation answers: With
God’s help, we will.
[The congregation remains standing]
13.5 THE INDUCTION PRAYER
Almighty God, we glorify you, that you have chosen
a people for your own possession, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, and that you have given
Jesus Christ to be our great High Priest, the author
of eternal salvation.
We praise you that by his death he destroyed the
power of death, by his resurrection he has opened
your kingdom to all believers, and by his ascension
he has poured his abundant gifts on all your people,
making some apostles, some prophets, some
evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip
your people for work in your service, to the building
up of the body of Christ.
We thank you that your servant ....., has heard and
accepted your call. Grant him/her now your Holy
Spirit, as in your name, and in obedience to your
blessed will, we induct him/her to this pastorate.
Keep him/her steadfast in the work to which you
have called him/her. Give him/her insight into the
Scriptures, courage to proclaim your holy word, zeal
in caring for Christ’s flock. Endue him/her with
wisdom to lead your people, fidelity to your will, and
joy to the end.
(Bless ....., his wife/her husband; Enfold the family
in your love and in the love of the people here.)
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Be gracious to this church: bless it through your
servant’s ministry: establish it in all godliness, in
obedience to your will, and in joyful service of Jesus
Christ, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, on
God, be glory evermore. Amen.
13.6 THE DECLARATION OF INDUCTION
Moderator: In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
and on behalf of the KwaZulu Natal Regional
Council we declare
to be the minister of this
church and congregation. Mercy, peace and love,
be yours in fullest measure. Amen.
13.7 THE RIGHT HAND OF FELLOWSHIP
The Presiding Minister and all other ministers
present, the Officers of the Regional Council, the
representative(s) of the Denomination, and
members of the local church council give the right
hand of fellowship to the Inducted minister and
his/her spouse.
14. CHURCH CHOIR
15. THE CHARGE
The charge to the minister and the local church:
16. OFFERTORY HYMN/ OR CHOIR:
17. OFFERTORY PRAYER:
18. HOLY COMMUNION
19. RENEWAL OF THE COVENANT
(Members of the local church stand)
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Moderator: And now, as one people within the
household of God, in the unity of the faith, in the
communion of saints, in love and goodwill to all,
let us in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ give
ourselves afresh to Him and to one another in
joyous covenant promising to walk together with
God and with one another in all the privileges and
duties of our high calling in Christ Jesus:
We believe in God, our heavenly Father;
We confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour;
We depend on the guidance of the Holy Spirit;
We seek to live in God’s presence according to
all He has made known and will make known to
us.
We covenant to worship, work, and witness
together in the fellowship of this church,
For the building up of the Body of Christ
And the manifesting of the Kingdom of God on
earth.
18. NOTICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS BY LOCAL
CHURCH
19. BENEDICTION
Beloved in Christ, go in peace, to love and serve
God. The blessing of our almighty God, the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.
20. RECESSIONAL HYMN:
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