Concerning the Service | Additional Directions

Celebration of a New Ministry

A hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung.

The Institution

The Wardens, standing before the bishop with the new minister, say these or similar words

Bishop N., we have come together today to welcome N.N., who has been chosen to serve as Rector of (name of church). We believe that he is well qualified, and that he has been prayerfully and lawfully selected.

The Bishop may read the Letter of Institution, or else may state the purpose of the new ministry.

The Bishop then says
N., do you, in the presence of this congregation, commit yourself to this new trust and responsibility?

New minister I do.

The Bishop then addresses the congregation

Will you who witness this new beginning support and uphold N. in this ministry?

People We will.

The Bishop, standing, says

Let us then offer our prayers to God for all his people, for this congregation, and for N. their Rector.

The Litany for Ordinations, or some other appropriate litany, is led by a person appointed. At the end of the litany, the Bishop, standing, says the following or some other Collect, first saying

          The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Bishop Let us pray.

Everliving God, strengthen and sustain N., that with patience and understanding he may love and care for your people; and grant that together they may follow Jesus Christ, offering to you their gifts and talents; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

At the Liturgy of the Word

The Readings are selected from the following list, or in accordance with the additional directions.

  Old Testament  Joshua 1:7-9, or Numbers 11:16-17,24-25a
  Psalm  43,  or 132:1-9, or 146, or 133 and 134 (especially suitable for use in the evening)
  Epistle  Romans 12:1-18,  or Ephesians 4:7,11-16
  Gospel  John 15:9-16,  or Luke 10:1-2,  or John 14:11-15

The Sermon

After the Sermon, and any responses to it, the congregation sings a hymn.

The Induction

Representatives of the congregation and of the clergy of the diocese stand before the bishop with the new minister. Any of the presentations that follow may be added to, omitted, or adapted, as appropriate to the nature of the new ministry, and to the order of the minister. In the absence of the bishop, the deputy substitutes the words given in parentheses.

Representatives of the congregation present a Bible, saying

N., accept this Bible, and be among us (or be in this place) as one who proclaims the Word.

People Amen.

The Bishop presents a vessel of water, saying

N., take this water, and help me (help the bishop) baptize in obedience to our Lord.
People Amen.

Others present a stole or other symbol, saying

N., receive this stole, and be among us as a pastor and priest.
People Amen.

Others present a book of prayers or other symbol, saying

N., receive this book, and be among us as a man of prayer.
People Amen.

Others present olive oil or some other symbol, saying

N., use this oil, and be among us as a healer and reconciler.
People Amen.

If the new minister is the rector or vicar of the parish, a Warden may now present the keys of the church, saying

N., receive these keys, and let the doors of this place be open to all people.
People Amen.

Representative clergy of the diocese present the Constitution and Canons of this Church, saying

N., obey these Canons, and be among us to share in the councils of this diocese.

People Amen.

Other Representatives of the congregation present bread and wine, saying

N., take this bread and wine, and be among us to break the Bread and bless the Cup.

People Amen.

The Bishop then says

N., let all these be signs of the ministry which is mine and yours (the Bishop's and yours) in this place.

People Amen.

The new Minister, if a priest, may then kneel in the midst of the church, and may say

O Lord my God, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; yet you have called your servant to stand in your house, and to serve at your altar. To you and to your service I devote myself, body, soul, and spirit. Fill my memory with the record of your mighty works; enlighten my understanding with the light of your Holy Spirit; and may all the desires of my heart and will center in what you would have me do. Make me an instrument of your salvation for the people entrusted to my care, and grant that I may faithfully administer your holy Sacraments, and by my life and teaching set forth your true and living Word. Be always with me in carrying out the duties of my ministry. In prayer, quicken my devotion; in praises, heighten my love and gratitude; in preaching, give me readiness of thought and expression; and grant that, by the clearness and brightness of your holy Word, all the world may be drawn into your blessed kingdom. All this I ask for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Bishop then presents the new minister to the congregation, saying

Greet your new Rector.

When appropriate, the family of the new minister may also be presented at this time.

The Congregation expresses its approval. Applause is appropriate. The Bishop greets the new minister.

The new Minister then says to the people

          The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.

The new Minister then greets other members of the clergy, family members, and the congregation. The People greet one another.

At the Eucharist

The service continues with the Offertory.

The Bishop, or in the Bishop's absence a Priest beginning a new ministry, standing at the Lord's Table as chief celebrant, and joined by the other clergy, proceeds with the Great Thanksgiving of the Eucharist.

Except on Major Feasts, the Preface may be that for Apostles and Ordinations.

After Communion

At the Induction of a priest or deacon, in place of the usual postcommunion prayer, the Bishop leads the people in the following prayer; but if the new minister is a lay person, the usual postcommunion prayer is used.

Almighty Father, we thank you for feeding us with the holy food of the Body and Blood of your Son, and for uniting us through him in the fellowship of your Holy Spirit. We thank you for raising up among us faithful servants for the ministry of your Word and Sacraments. We pray that N. may be to us an effective example in word and action, in love and patience, and in holiness of life. Grant that we, with him, may serve you now, and always rejoice in your glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A newly inducted Priest may, at the bishop's request, pronounce a blessing.

A Deacon, or a Priest if no deacon is present, dismisses the assembly.