Shared Ministry Teams
THE COMMISSIONING OF A
SHARED MINISTRY TEAM
ORDER OF SERVICE
THE GATHERING
Hymn
The Greeting
Bishop:
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
All:
And also with you.
The Archdeacon introduces the service.
Prayers of Penitence
The Collect
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading
Hymn
Gospel
Diocese of Liverpool
Shared Ministry Teams
The Sermon
The Affirmation of Faith
THE COMMISSIONING
All sit
Bishop:
Beloved in Christ, all who are baptised are called to bear witness in their lives to
the love of God in creation and the hope of heaven restored, which is ours through
Him who loved us. The Lord who calls us to serve Him equips us with gifts, so that
we may respond with joy to our calling.
Within the priesthood of all believers there are varieties of gifts to be used for God’s
glory, to give effective witness to the Gospel, and to proclaim the love of God in
word and deed. In this Diocese we have developed a scheme for Shared Ministry
Teams to help clergy and laity share more effectively in the task of encouraging the
full use of the gifts given to the whole people of God.
Bishop:
Remember, O Lord, what you have wrought in us, and not what we deserve; and as
you have called us to your service, make us worthy of our calling; through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
All:
Amen
Those to be commissioned come forward to stand before the Archdeacon together with a
representative of the PCC, and a diocesan Shared Ministry representative. A representative of
the PCC introduces each Team member to the Archdeacon.
The diocesan representative reads out the Agreed Statement, saying:
Archdeacon, the Shared Ministry Team was selected by the Parochial Church
Council on [insert date]. The members of the team are: [List of Names]
[The relevant parts of the Agreed Statement should be put into the order of Service under the
following headings or those appropriate to your Team].
The Purpose of the SMT
Tasks to be Undertaken
Diocese of Liverpool
Shared Ministry Teams
Frequency of Meetings and Spiritual Life of Team
[Finishing with the following:]
Archdeacon, the persons named have trained together under the supervision of those
appointed by the Diocese for this purpose, and we now ask you to commission them.
The Bishop addresses the Team
Bishop:
Do you each believe that you have been called to be part of the Shared Ministry
Team in this Parish?
Team:
I Do
Bishop:
Will you endeavour to meet regularly for prayer and mutual support, and to share
responsibility and decision-making in the Team?
Team:
We will
Bishop:
Will you continue to seek God’s will for the life of the church and the work of the
Team, and be accountable to the Church Council?
Bishop:
Will you endeavour to recognise the gifts of the congregation and encourage them
in witness and service?
Team:
We will
The Bishop addresses the congregation.
Bishop:
Members of the parish of St Whatever, is it your wish that I commission those
selected and trained as a Shared Ministry Team?
All:
It is.
Bishop:
Will you continue to support them and pray for them in the work they have begun?
All:
We will.
Bishop:
Will you work with them to discover the gifts God has given you all, and to use
them in the service of his kingdom?
All:
We will.
Diocese of Liverpool
Shared Ministry Teams
The Bishop address the Team
Bishop:
I commission you to work together for the glory of God in this place with the clergy
and lay people who are God’s people here.
May the Lord who has given you the vision and the will to begin this task in His
name, also bring it to completion through His love, and may His blessing be upon
you, now and always.
All:
Amen.
A copy of the Agreed Statement is then signed by the members of the team, the Incumbent,
the diocesan and PCC representatives, and the Bishop.
[Remember to type a copy out and leave enough space for everyone to sign. Also please
remember to send a copy into the Lifelong Learning office at Church House for the records]
Bishop:
Let us now commend to God’s love those to be commissioned this day, that
through God’s grace they may be faithful to Him who called them.
All kneel for silent prayer.
The intercessions
[led by the parish]
If the service is a Eucharist, continue with
THE LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT
If the service is not a Eucharist, it may continue:
The Peace
Hymn
[an offering may be taken]
SENDING OUT
Final Prayer
Diocese of Liverpool
Shared Ministry Teams
Blessing
Dismissal
Minister:
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All:
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Recessional hymn
Diocese of Liverpool