Congregation of Jesus Christ:
Today we celebrate God's gift of faithful leadership
for his people. We joyfully thank him for elders and deacons who have served
well and completed their terms of office. And we praise him for providing their
successors.
In the officebearers of the church we see the love
of Christ for his people. As the Lord of the church he appoints leaders and by
his Spirit equips them, so that believers may grow in faith, develop disciplined
Christian living, serve others in selfless love, and share with all the good
news of salvation. He taught us the spirit of true leadership when he said, "Whoever
wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be
first among you must be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:26-
28).
Elders serve by governing the church in Christ's
name. They received this task when Christ entrusted the apostles and their successors
with the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 16:19). Elders are thus responsible
for the spiritual well-being of God's people. They must provide true preaching
and teaching, regular celebration of the sacraments, and faithful counsel and
discipline while keeping in confidence those matters entrusted to them. And they
must promote fellowship and hospitality among believers, ensure good order in
the church, and stimulate witness to all people.
Deacons serve by showing mercy to the church and
to all people. They received this task in the early church when the apostles
designated special persons for the work of mercy (Acts 6; 2 Cor.8-9). In Christ's
name the deacons relieve victims of injustice. By this they show that Christians
live by the Spirit of the kingdom, fervently desiring to give life the shape
of things to come. Deacons are therefore called to assess needs, promote stewardship
and hospitality, collect and disburse resources for benevolence, and develop
programs of assistance. They are also called to speak words of Christian encouragement.
Thus in word as well as deed they demonstrate the care of the Lord himself.
These tasks of elders and deacons call for believers
who are Christlike, who are mature in the faith, and who exercise their offices
with prayer, patience, and humility.
Now we intend to ordain elders and deacons and
to install them for terms of service in this congregation. Those appointed to
the office of elder are (names) . Those appointed to the office of deacon are
(names).
To express your acceptance of these offices, you
are asked to stand, and here in the presence of God and his church, to answer
the following questions:
Do you believe that in the call of this congregation
God himself is calling you to these holy offices?
Do you believe that the Old and New Testaments
are the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and life?
Do you subscribe to the doctrinal standards of
this church, rejecting all teaching which contradicts them?
Do you promise to do the work of your offices faithfully,
in a way worthy of your calling and in submission to the government and discipline
of the church?
Answer [by each officebearer] :
I do, God helping me.
The officiating minister shall then say [the
laying on of hands at this point is optional] :
God our heavenly Father, who has called you to
these sacred offices, guide you by his Word, equip you with his Spirit, and so
prosper your ministries that his church may increase and his name be praised.
Amen.
Charge to the Elders
I charge you, elders, to "guard yourselves and
all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of
the church of God, which he bought with his own blood" (Acts 20:28). Be a friend
and Christlike example to children. Give clear and cheerful guidance to young
people. By word and example, bear up God's people in their pain and weakness,
and celebrate their joys with them. Hold in trust all sensitive matters confided
to you. Encourage the aged to persevere in God's promises. Be wise counselors
who support and strengthen the pastor. Be compassionate, yet firm and consistent
in rebuke and discipline. Know the Scriptures, which are "useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16). Pray continually
for the church. Remember at all times that if you would truly give spiritual
leadership in the household of faith, you must be completely mastered by your
Lord (1 Tim. 3:2-7).
Charge to the Deacons
I charge you, deacons, to inspire faithful stewardship
in this congregation. Remind us that "from everyone who has been given much,
much will be demanded" (Luke 12:48b). Teach us to be merciful. Prompt us to seize
new opportunities to worship God with offerings of wealth, time, and ability.
Realize that benevolence is a quality of our life in Christ and not merely a
matter of financial assistance. Therefore, minister to rich and poor alike, both
within and outside the church. Weigh the needs of causes and use the church's
resources discerningly. Be compassionate to the needy. Respect their need for
dignity; hold in trust all sensitive matters confided to you. Encourage them
with words that create hope in their hearts and with deeds that bring joy into
their lives. Be prophetic critics of the waste, injustice, and selfishness in
our society, and be sensitive counselors to the victims of such evils. Let your
lives be above reproach; live as examples of Christ Jesus; look to the interests
of others.
Charge to the Congregation
I charge you, people of God, to receive these
officebearers as Christ's gift to the church. Recognize in them the Lord's provision
for healthy congregational life. Hold them in honor; take their counsel seriously;
respond to them with obedience and respect; accept their help with thanks. Sustain
them in prayer and encourage them with your support, especially when they feel
the burden of their office. Acknowledge them as the Lord's servants among you.
Do you, congregation, pledge to receive them as
you have been charged?
Answer [by the congregation in unison] :
We do, God helping us.
Prayer
Our merciful Father in heaven, we thank you that
you have provided faithful and gifted people to serve as elders and deacons.
As these new officebearers assume their responsibilities, fill them with your
Spirit, endow them with your wisdom, and grant them strength. Make them faithful
workers in your vineyard. Under their guidance may your church grow in every
spiritual grace, in faith which is open and unashamed, and in the committed service
that promotes your reign in the world. Help them to perform their duties with
enthusiasm and humility. In their work, grant them a sense of sustained awe which
is rooted in daily adoration of you, their Lord. Through them may your name be
honored and your church be served.
Help us, your people, to accept them gladly, encourage
them always, and respect them for the sake of your precious Son, our Lord, in
whose name we pray. Amen.
