Ordination (or Installation) of Ministers of the Word and Sacraments
Congregation of Jesus Christ, the Council has made known to you the name of our brother __________, who is now to be ordained to the ministry of the Word and sacraments (or: installed in the ministry to which he has been called).
The Holy Scriptures teach us that Christ Jesus gathers, protects, and preserves for Himself a church out of the corrupt race of men for life eternal and gives to His church such teaching and care that she may grow in faith, love, and service. For this work, Christ, by a particular grace, uses men, appointing them to the preaching of the gospel and for the building up of His body. The apostle Paul solemnly charged Timothy to “preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2
), and our Lord Jesus charged His disciples to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19–20). The apostle Paul declares that the Lord Jesus Christ has given “the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11–12). For this reason, the church has recognized the distinct office of the minister of the Word.
The minister of the Word is called by the command of God to preach the gospel of His kingdom. This preaching has the twofold object of calling sinners to reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ and nurturing believers in the faith and life of the kingdom of God. Ministers are called “ambassadors for Christ,” as though He were pleading by them, “Be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20). Therefore, this preaching must be addressed to all people. The preaching of the gospel must especially be addressed to the gathered congregation for the nurturing of Christian faith and life and for strengthening them against all error. Paul charged Timothy “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus …: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:1–2). And he charged Titus that a minister “must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9). The minister of the Word is called to administer the sacraments which the Lord has instituted as signs and seals of His grace. Christ gave this charge to His apostles, and through them to all ministers of the Word, when He commanded them to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19), and when He said of the Lord’s Supper: “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Cor. 11:24–25). The minister of the Word is called to the service of prayer. In speaking of their calling, the apostles say, “We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). So, too, it is the calling of all God’s ministers to lead the people of God in “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings … for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions” (1 Tim. 2:1–2).
The minister of the Word is called, together with the elders, to shepherd the people of God in their Christian life, giving guidance and counsel in all that they need, exhorting them to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3), and keeping the church of God in good order and discipline. They are pastors, appointed to shepherd the church of Christ, which He purchased with His own blood, in keeping with the Lord’s command: “Feed my lambs.… Feed my sheep” (John 21:15, 17). They, together with the elders, watch over the house of God for the right and fruitful ordering of the faith and life and worship of the people of God. In their exercise of the keys of the kingdom, what they “bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,” and what they “loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matt. 18:18).
The officiating minister shall now read paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5), depending on whether this is the ordination (or installation) of the pastor of an established congregation, a foreign missionary, a home missionary, a teacher of theology, or someone called to another task.
(1) For the Pastor of an Established Congregation
We now proceed to ordain [or: install] brother __________ as a minister of the Word and sacraments in this congregation. We rejoice that the Lord Jesus, in His faithful love, has provided a minister to serve as pastor and teacher to this people, and also as their leader in the missionary calling of this church. We receive this servant of our Lord from the hand and heart of the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. We are grateful that our Savior has committed preaching, teaching, and pastoral care to the office of the minister of the Word, and that He will continue to use sinful men for such high and holy purposes until the day of His return.
No one is able to fulfill this holy ministry in his own strength; therefore, we set our hope on Jesus Christ our Lord, who said: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).
Now, in order that it may appear that you, __________, are willing to accept this office, you are requested to stand, and in the presence of God and His church give your answer to the following questions:
Do you believe that in the call of this congregation you are called by God Himself to this holy ministry?
Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice, and do you reject every doctrine in conflict with them?
Do you promise to discharge the duties of your office faithfully, to conduct yourself worthily of this calling, and to submit yourself to the government and discipline of the church?
Answer: I do so believe and promise, God helping me.
The officiating minister shall then say (in the case of ordination: with the ceremony of the laying on of hands, other ministers present participating):
May God, our heavenly Father, who has called you to this holy office, enlighten you with His Spirit, strengthen you with His hand, and so govern you in your ministry that you may be engaged in it faithfully and fruitfully, to the glory of His name and the coming of the kingdom of His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The officiating minister shall address the congregation:
Dear people of God and members of this church, since this solemn act involves obligations also on your part, I ask you before God:
Do you, in the name of the Lord, welcome this brother as your pastor?
Do you promise to receive the Word of God proclaimed by him and to encourage him in the discharge of his duty?
Will you pray that he may, in the power of the Spirit, equip you in the work of advancing God’s kingdom for the honor of Christ our Lord, the building up of His church, and the salvation of men?
To these questions, what is your answer?
Answer: We do, God helping us.
The officiating minister (and/or others designated) shall then exhort the ordained minister and the congregation in the following manner:
Beloved brother and fellow servant in Christ, take heed to yourself and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you a guardian, to feed the church of the Lord which He obtained with His own blood. Love Christ and feed His sheep, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, not for shameful gain, but eagerly, and not domineering over those in your charge, but humbly serving all. Set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Attend to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching, and to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have. Take heed to your teaching. Be patient in all trials. Be a good soldier of Jesus Christ, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will obtain the unfading crown of glory.
And you, beloved Christians, receive your minister in the Lord with all joy, and hold him in honor. Remember that through him God Himself speaks to you. Receive the Word that he, according to the Scripture, shall preach to you, not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the Word of God. Let the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, and bring the good news, be beautiful and pleasant to you. “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Heb. 13:17). If you do these things, the God of peace shall enter your homes. You who receive this man in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet’s reward, and through faith in Jesus Christ, the inheritance of eternal life.
No man is of himself sufficient for these things. Let us call upon the name of God:
Merciful Father, we are thankful that it pleases You by the ministry of men to gather Your church out of the lost human race to life eternal. We acknowledge the gift of this, Your servant, sent to this people as a messenger of Your peace. Send now the Holy Spirit upon him. Enlighten his mind to know the truth of Your Word. Give him the ability to make known the mystery of the gospel with boldness. Grant him the wisdom to care for and guide the people over whom he is placed. Through his ministry, build up Your holy church, and grant her increase in number and in virtue. Give Your servant courage through Your Spirit to fulfill his calling against every difficulty and to be steadfast to the end. We pray that this people will receive him as having been sent by You. May they receive his teaching and exhortation with all reverence, and believing in Christ through his word become partakers of eternal life. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for the sake of Your dear Son, in whose name we pray:
The congregation shall say:
Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
(2) For a Foreign Missionary
Congregation of Jesus Christ, we now proceed to ordain [or: install] brother __________ as a foreign missionary, for service in __________.
It is the task of foreign missionaries to bring the gospel to foreign lands, so that all peoples may come to the knowledge of salvation and to the service of the Lord, and that the church of Jesus Christ may be established in all the earth. Jesus Christ said, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14). In the person of her missionaries, the church reaches into the lives of those who are yet without God and without hope. She brings to all lands the witness that Jesus is the Son of God, that the glory of the nations belongs to Him, and that His grace, love, and redemption are offered to them in the way of repentance and faith. In this work of missions, the church may lift up her eyes to the Lord’s coming and look with longing to the day when the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord.
No one is able to fulfill this holy ministry in his own strength; therefore, we set our hope on Jesus Christ our Lord, who said, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).
Now, in order that it may appear that you, __________, are willing to accept this office, you are requested to stand, and in the presence of God and His church give your answer to the following questions:
Do you believe that in the call of this congregation you are called by God Himself to this holy ministry?
Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice, and do you reject every doctrine in conflict with them?
Do you promise to discharge the duties of your office faithfully, to conduct yourself worthily of this calling, and to submit yourself to the government and discipline of the church?
Answer: I do so believe and promise, God helping me.
The officiating minister shall then say (in the case of ordination: with the ceremony of the laying on of hands, other ministers present participating):
Go, then, brother, and bring the gospel to those to whom you are sent. Make disciples of them and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May God, our heavenly Father, who has called you to this holy ministry, enlighten you with His Spirit, strengthen you with His hand, and so govern you in your ministry that you may be engaged in it faithfully and fruitfully, to the glory of His name and the coming of the kingdom of His Son, Jesus Christ.
And you, congregation, continue in fellowship with this missionary whom you send forth in the name of Christ. Sustain him with your fervent prayers. Support him with your gifts. Strengthen his hand and heart in every need. As Christ received you, be ready to receive those who are brought into the body of Christ through his ministry, that there may be one flock and one shepherd.
No man is of himself sufficient for these things. Let us call upon the name of God:
Merciful Father, we are thankful that it pleases You by the ministry of men to gather Your church out of the lost human race to life eternal. We acknowledge the gift of this, Your servant, now being sent by this people in Your name to be a messenger to others of the good news of Your peace. Send now the Holy Spirit upon him. Enlighten his mind to know the truth of Your Word. Give him the ability to make known the mystery of the gospel with boldness. Grant him the wisdom to care for and guide the people over whom he is placed. Through his ministry, build up Your holy church, and grant her increase in number and in virtue. Give Your servant courage through Your Spirit to fulfill his calling against every difficulty and to be steadfast to the end. Let those to whom he comes see in him the ambassador of Christ, calling them to be reconciled to God. May they receive his teaching and exhortation with all reverence, and believing in Christ through his Word become partakers of eternal life. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for the sake of Your dear Son, in whose name we pray:
The congregation shall say:
Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
(3) For a Home Missionary
Congregation of Jesus Christ, we now proceed to ordain [or: install] brother __________ as a home missionary, for service in __________.
Home missionaries are called, in particular, to preach the gospel and to provide spiritual care and instruction to those in our land who, though exposed to the witness of the church and the gospel, have been alienated or are yet estranged from the Lord and His church. In the parable of the great banquet, the Lord Jesus Christ has spoken about the lord who sent his servants out into the streets and lanes of the city, into the highways and hedges, to invite all men to his feast. Even so, our Lord calls us to bring men into the house of the King through the ministry of His love, in order that His house may be filled. The gospel of the kingdom shall be preached for a testimony to our own nation, as well as to all nations of the world. Thus, men are called to walk in the way of God’s commands and promises. And in this ministry we look to the day of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, when the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord.
No one is able to fulfill this holy ministry in his own strength; therefore, we set our hope on Jesus Christ our Lord, who said, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).
Now, in order that it may appear that you, __________, are willing to accept this office, you are requested to stand, and in the presence of God and his church give your answer to the following questions:
Do you believe that in the call of this congregation you are called by God Himself to this holy ministry?
Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice, and do you reject every doctrine in conflict with them?
Do you promise to discharge the duties of your office faithfully, to conduct yourself worthily of this calling, and to submit yourself to the government and discipline of the church?
Answer: I do so believe and promise, God helping me.
The officiating minister shall then say (in the case of ordination: with the ceremony of the laying on of hands, other ministers present participating):
Go then, brother, and bring the gospel to those to whom you are sent. Call the unbelieving to faith, the faithless to obedience, and invite men in the name of the Lord into the house of your King. May God, our heavenly Father, enlighten you with His Spirit, strengthen you with His hand, and so govern you in your ministry that you may fulfill it faithfully and fruitfully, to the glory of His name and the coming of the kingdom of His Son, Jesus Christ.
And you, congregation, continue in fellowship with this missionary whom you send forth in the name of Christ. Sustain him with your fervent prayers. Support him with your gifts. Strengthen his hand and heart in every need. As Christ received you, be ready to receive those who are brought into the body of Christ through his ministry, that there may be one flock and one shepherd.
No man is of himself sufficient for these things. Let us call upon the name of God:
Merciful Father, we are thankful that it pleases You by the ministry of men to gather Your church out of the lost human race to life eternal. We acknowledge the gift of this, Your servant, now being sent by this people in Your name to be a messenger to others of the good news of Your peace. Send now the Holy Spirit upon him. Enlighten his mind to know the truth of Your Word. Give him the ability to make known the mystery of the gospel with boldness. Grant him the wisdom to care for and guide the people over whom he is placed. Through his ministry, build up Your holy church, and grant her increase in number and in virtue. Give Your servant courage through Your Spirit to fulfill his calling against every difficulty and to be steadfast to the end. Let those to whom he comes see in him the ambassador of Christ, calling them to be reconciled to God. May they receive his teaching and exhortation with all reverence, and believing in Christ through his word become partakers of eternal life. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for the sake of Your dear Son, in whose name we pray:
The congregation shall say:
Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
(4) For a Teacher of Theology
Congregation of Jesus Christ, __________ has been appointed by this congregation for the particular task of teaching at __________ [institution/ministry]. We are mindful of the need to train men who, as ministers of the Word, shall preach the gospel of salvation to the people of God in the church of Christ and to people outside of the church of Christ.
The first messengers of peace in the days of the New Testament were taught directly by our Lord Jesus Christ, and were trained and sent by Him personally. After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, He gave various extraordinary gifts and knowledge of the mysteries, for the salvation of sinners and the edifying of the saints. But since those extraordinary methods lasted only as long as the Lord judged them to be necessary for the founding of His church among the nations, it was soon recognized that men needed to be trained for the holy ministry under the ordinary dispensation of the Spirit by the regular methods of education. Thus, Paul wrote to his fellow minister, Timothy, “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).
For the most effective discharge of this task in our day, the church supports theological education and appoints ministers of the Word who will serve the cause of the gospel by teaching and training those who are to become ministers of the Word in Christ’s church. Our brother __________ has been called to serve in this important task.
No one is able to fulfill this holy ministry in his own strength; therefore, we set our hope on Jesus Christ our Lord, who said: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).
Now, in order that it may appear that you, __________, are minded to accept this office and fulfill this task, you are requested to stand and in the presence of God and His church give your answer to the following questions:
Do you believe that in the call of this congregation you are called by God Himself to this holy ministry?
Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice, and do you reject every doctrine in conflict with them?
Do you promise to discharge the duties of your office faithfully, to conduct yourself worthily of this calling, and to submit yourself to the government and discipline of the church?
Answer: I do so believe and promise, God helping me.
The officiating minister shall then say:
May God, our heavenly Father, enlighten you with His Spirit, strengthen you with His hand, and so govern you in your calling that you may discharge its duties faithfully and fruitfully, to the glory of His name and the coming of the kingdom of His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
No man is of himself sufficient for these things. Let us call upon the name of God:
Merciful Father, we are thankful that it pleases You by the ministry of men to gather Your church out of the lost human race to life eternal. We acknowledge the gift of this, Your servant, sent to train men to be messengers of Your peace. Send now the Holy Spirit upon him. Enlighten his mind to know the truth of Your Word. Give him the power to teach others to speak to make known the mystery of the gospel with boldness. Endow him with wisdom to instruct and care for those men who are preparing for the gospel ministry, that through his ministry Your church will be preserved in peace, that she may increase in number and in virtue. Give Your servant courage through Your Spirit to fulfill his calling against every difficulty and to be steadfast to the end. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for the sake of Your dear Son, in whose name we pray:
The congregation shall say:
Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
(5) For Someone Called to Another Task
Congregation of Jesus Christ, __________ has been called by this church for the particular task of __________, which is recognized as a labor that is spiritual in character, directly related to the ministry of the Word, and one which is to be performed as a service to the church of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is required that one so appointed be mindful of his ordination to the ministry of the church in the preaching of the Word, the administration of the sacraments, the service of prayers, and the ministry of the care and discipline of the church of God. It is further required that one so appointed serve in his particular task as a minister of the Word of God, and in loyalty and service to the church by which he is called.
No one is able to fulfill this holy ministry in his own strength; therefore, we set our hope on Jesus Christ our Lord, who said, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).
Now, in order that it may appear that you, __________, are minded to accept this calling, you are requested to stand and in the presence of God and His church give your answer to the following questions:
Answer: I do so believe and promise, God helping me.
The officiating minister shall then say:
May God, our heavenly Father, enlighten you with His Spirit, strengthen you with His hand, and so govern you in your calling that you may discharge its duties faithfully and fruitfully, to the glory of His name and the coming of the kingdom of His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
No man is of himself sufficient for these things. Let us call upon the name of God:
Merciful Father, we are thankful that it pleases You by the ministry of men to gather Your church out of the lost human race to life eternal. We acknowledge the extraordinary gift of this, Your servant, to participate in that calling. Send now the Holy Spirit upon him. Enlighten his mind to know the truth of Your Word. Give him the power to teach the mystery of the gospel. Give Your servant courage through Your Spirit to fulfill his calling against every difficulty and to be steadfast to the end. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for the sake of Your dear Son, in whose name we pray:
The congregation shall say:
Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Do you believe that in the call of this congregation you are called by God Himself to this holy ministry?
Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice, and do you reject every teaching in conflict with them?
Do you promise to perform your task faithfully, to conduct yourself worthily of this calling, and to submit yourself to the government and discipline of the church?