Ministry Commencement

A service to celebrate
the commencement of ministry

All involved

Interim Rector

The service is arranged by the Interim Rector (also called the Acting Rector). He will liaise with the Bishop to organise and coordinate the service and arrange for any printing to be done. 

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Bible Readers 

Usually the service has two bible readings. The passages will be chosen by the preacher (normally the Bishop) and read by two members of the Parish.

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Nominators

The Nominators present the Rector-designate to the Bishop. This is their final duty!

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Wardens

The Wardens usually take turns in making various statements to the Rector. Importantly they present a new Bible to the Rector. It's a good idea to ask the Rector which version he would like to receive as a gift from the Parish.    

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Mission Area Leader

The Mission Area Leader and the Bishop ask the Rector-designate a number of questions. If the Mission Area Leader is unavailable, the Bishop will ask these questions.

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People to pray

Two members of the Parish normally lead the congregation in a time of prayer.

Musicians

The music for the service is normally chosen by the new Rector. Of course, this can be difficult if the musicians at the new church don't know the music that is chosen! It's best for the Interim Rector to smooth the way forward here. 

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File Downloads

We understand that files downloaded from the web may carry viruses. While every effort has been made to safeguard against this, some people may prefer to copy and paste the full text for the service (below) rather than download the files.

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Cover Page

The cover normally includes the logo or crest of the local church and the Diocese. Click on the logo to download a copy.

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The Service Text

Acknowledgement of Country

We welcome all our guests and visitors to this Celebration Service and acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we gather. We pay our respects to their elders and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples present with us, thanking God for the blessings we all enjoy because of Jesus Christ.
 

Officiating Clergy

The Right Reverend Christopher Edwards, Bishop of North Sydney.

The Reverend [Name], Mission Area Leader.

The Reverend [Name], Interim Rector.

Wardens

List the names of all the Wardens.

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Official Guests

The Hon. [Name], Federal Member for [name of seat]

The Hon. [Name], State Member for [name of seat]

Councillor [Name], Mayor of [name of LGA]

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Service

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Hymn            

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Welcome from the Interim Rector, followed by a passage from the Scriptures.  

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. (Revelation 4.11)

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Christian friends, we have gathered together to celebrate God’s goodness to this parish in the appointment of the Reverend [Name] as Rector.  He has been called by God to exercise a position of great spiritual responsibility as the Pastor of this congregation.  We have gathered to pray for him, and for the congregations of this parish in this new stage of God’s work here and to hear from God’s Holy Word.

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Let us pray:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your Name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and for ever. Amen.

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Old Testament  

Passage [Reader’s name]

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New Testament 

Passage  [Reader’s name]                                                      

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After each reading the congregation responds

This is the word of the Lord.

    Thanks be to God.

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The Apostles’ Creed is said by all standing

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth;

and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day he rose from the dead.

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;

from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit;

the holy catholic church;

the communion of saints;

the forgiveness of sins;

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

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Sermon               

Right Rev Chris Edwards, Bishop of North Sydney

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Hymn                  

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After the congregation is seated, a commendation from the Rector's previous parish is read. After the commendation is made, the Nominators present the Rector to the Bishop saying:

Nominators

We present to you the Reverend [Rector’s Name] to be admitted to the office of rector and the care of God’s people in this parish.

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Bishop           

[Name], the people of this parish have gathered to recognise and greet you as their Rector. I bring you greetings from Kanishka, the Archbishop of Sydney.  This document bearing his seal records your licence and authority to perform the office of Rector of this parish.

The Bishop hands him the licence.

[Name], do you before God and in the presence of this congregation commit yourself to this new trust and responsibility?

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Rector          

With God’s help, I do.

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Bishop           

Be a faithful minister of God’s holy word and sacraments, and a faithful pastor under the great Shepherd of our souls.

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My brother [Name], at your ordination, you were exhorted in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to remember the dignity of the high office and charge to which you were called: that is to say, to be a messenger, watchman, and steward of our Lord; to teach and forewarn, to feed and provide for the Lord’s family; to seek for Christ’s sheep who are scattered abroad, and for his children who are surrounded by temptation in this world, that they may be saved through Christ for ever.

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Have always therefore printed in your mind how great a treasure is committed to your care: the church is Christ’s flock, for whom he shed his blood.   This church and congregation whom you must serve is his bride and body.  Pray to God the Father, through our Saviour Jesus Christ, for the assistance of the Holy Spirit; so that as you daily read and study the Scriptures, you may grow in your ministry.  By God’s grace, may you be a godly pattern for the people to follow, as you seek to conform your life and the life of this congregation to the teaching of Christ.

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Let us pray.

Almighty God, giver of all that is good, you have appointed various orders of ministry in your church; bless your servant [Name] now called to serve you in this parish. Fill him with your Holy Spirit and the truth of your word, and clothe him with Christ-likeness of character, that he may faithfully serve you to the glory of your name and to the benefit of your people. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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The Wardens come forward and face the people.

Warden

[Name], we thank God that he has sent you to teach us and encourage us and admonish us from his holy word.  Take this Bible, remembering that all Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the people of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

[2 Timothy 3:16-17]

Bishop

Will you be faithful in reading, studying and meditating on the word of God; will you be faithful in proclaiming and teaching it; and will you encourage others to grow in their knowledge and understanding of God’s word, that they may live in accordance with its truth?

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Rector                

I will, the Lord being my helper.

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Warden

[Name], we thank God that you have come to us as a pastor of God’s people, keen to see the extension of God’s kingdom in [Church Name].  By God’s grace, may you make disciples of all peoples, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them the commandments of Jesus.

[Matthew 28:19]

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Mission Leader

Will you be faithful in making disciples of all peoples; and will you be faithful in ministering Baptism and the Lord’s Supper in accordance with God’s word and the discipline of this Church?

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Rector                

I will, the Lord being my helper.

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Warden              

[Name], we thank God that you have come to us as a man of prayer.   May you follow the apostle’s pattern by praying for us and leading us in prayer, so that we may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him in every good work.

[Colossians 1:9-10]

Mission Leader

Will you intercede for the people committed to your care, and pray that God would lead both you and them into a richer and deeper knowledge of his will, in all spiritual wisdom and understanding?

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Rector                

I will, the Lord being my helper.

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Bishop                 

[Name], you have been appointed and licensed to exercise your ministry as Rector of this parish with all the privileges and responsibilities of your office; may the Lord guard your going out and your coming in.

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Wardens and parishioners of [Church Name], remember the Apostle Paul’s exhortation:

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We ask you to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.  Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.  Live in peace with each other.

[1 Thessalonians 5:12-13]

The Rector is joined by his family

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Warden              

[Name] and [Wife’s name], on behalf of the parishioners we welcome you and your family to [Church Name].   We offer you our friendship and support as we join together in the work to which God has called us in this parish, and as we share in the wider ministry of Christ throughout the world.

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Bishop                 

To you, my brother in Christ, I present the people committed to your care.

Brothers and sisters, I present to you [Rector’s Name] , your new Rector, his wife [Wife’s name] and their children.

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People                 

We welcome you in the name of the Lord as our pastor and as our brother and sister in Christ.  We shall pray for you as we ask you to pray for us.  May God enable us to fulfil the ministries to which he has called us.

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Mission Leader

I now ask you to join with me in prayer to Almighty God, that he will enable our brother [Name] to serve faithfully in word and deed, so that he will be a true pattern of Christian living.

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People                 

Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, we pray that you would grant to your servant, now called to this parish, the strength of your Spirit.  Fill him with truth, compassion and humility, so that he may faithfully serve you to the glory of your name and the benefit of your church, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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Prayers        

Prayers for mission and for the progress of the gospel are offered. Then follow prayers for the world, those who govern us, and for the church and especially the new Rector and his family. 

Mission Leader

Name]

Name]

The Rector concludes the prayers with a prayer of thanksgiving.

Hymn                  

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Rector                

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.   Amen.