Chapter 15. Commissioning Of
Deaconesses Or Missionaries
¶1041. The people in devout meditation.
Hymn -- "Publish Glad Tidings" (standing).
Here let the people be seated.
Invocation.
Gospel music or selected Bible verses.
The lesson from the New Testament:
Mark 3:13-15 and Matthew 10:38-42.
Silent meditation.
Prayer, by a missionary if possible.
The Lord's Prayer (by all).
Offertory and the dedication of tithes and offerings.
Special music.
Message.
The presentation of the missionaries and/or deaconesses to be commissioned. Those to be commissioned shall take their
places at the altar facing the General Superintendent who shall say to them:
Do you believe in your heart that you have been led by the Spirit of God to engage in this work and to assume its responsibilities?
I believe God has called me.
Will you endeavor, as much as lieth in you, to perform faithfully the duties of missionaries and deaconesses in the church of Christ?
I will endeavor so to do, by the help of God.
Will you be diligent in prayer, in the reading of the Holy Scriptures, and in such studies as help to the knowledge of God and his kingdom?
I will, the Lord being my helper.
Will you strive so to live that the power of God may be manifest in your life, enabling you to convey the blessed sense of God's presence to those you would serve?
I will, by God's grace.
Will you be loyal to the Evangelical Methodist Church, and accept the authority of those to whom the church has committed the direction of your work?
I will.
Then shall all bow for a brief period of silent prayer after which the General Superintendent shall pray. Then the General Superintendent, taking the right hand of each one and repeating the name, shall say:
Name , I commission you to take the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ into all the world, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
When all have been commissioned, the General Superintendent shall turn to the missionaries and deaconesses in the congregation. They shall rise and the General Superintendent addressing them shall say:
Beloved in the Lord, once you stood where these now stand, answering the call of God in your hearts. Obedient to this divine imperative, you have labored at home and abroad, ministering to the needs of men and bringing to them the Gospel. We are justly proud of your work, and are continually thankful for the fullness of your devotion.
These younger workers will look to you for help and guidance as they go forth to serve with you. I commend them to your love and care.
Those who have just been commissioned shall then turn to face these missionaries and deaconesses, who shall encourage them with a handshake. Then shall all the people stand, and the General Superintendent, addressing them, shall say:
Members of this congregation, I commend to you these whom we this day have commissioned to carry into all the world the "Good News" of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
In this holy moment we too are called to a renewed consecration of our lives to Christ and His saving mission.
As these, our fellow workers, go forth upon their mission, let us assure them that we are with them in spirit and are supporting them by word and gift and deed.
Here let the people be seated and with heads bowed offer their personal intercessions for those who have just been commissioned and for the missionary enterprise.
Benediction.
Postlude.
Chapter 16. Installation Of Church Officers
And Committees
¶1051. This should be done as soon after election as possible.
Will you prayerfully and faithfully meet the responsibilities and discharge the duties of the office to which you have been elected?
I will, God being my helper.
Will you strive to have, by the grace of God, as a Christian example for others, wherever you are, at home, at work or at school, and at play, as well as in church?
I will, God being my helper.
Will you be loyal to the Evangelical Methodist Church, her doctrines and practices,
as set forth in the Word of God and the Discipline of the church?
I will, God being my helper.
Prayer.
¶1052. This should be done as soon after election as possible.
We are met here in the presence of God to recognize these who have been chosen to fulfill the various offices and responsibilities of this church. From Romans 12:3b-6a we read: . . . think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office. So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us.
Do you believe in your heart that you are compelled by the Spirit of God to perform the duties to which you have been chosen?
I do so believe.
Will you prayerfully and faithfully, meet the responsibilities and discharge the duties of the position to which you have been elected?
I will, by the help of God.
Will you strive to live, by the grace of God, as a Christian example for others, wherever you are, at home, at work or at school, and at play, as well as in church?
I will, by the help of God.
Will you be loyal to the Evangelical Methodist Church, her doctrines and practices, as set forth in the Word of God and the Discipline of the church?
I will, by the help of God.
Prayer of Dedication.
Chapter 17. Installation Of Sunday
School And VBS Teachers And Workers
¶1061. This should be done as soon after election as possible.
The Charge
The Questions
Will you pray daily for your co-workers, the children in your class, and the entire school?
I will, God being my helper.
Will you prepare diligently and prayerfully for each class session?
I will, God being my helper.
Will you rely on the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit in your preparation and presentation?
I will, God being my helper.
Will you be true to the Word of God, and uplift Jesus Christ by your teaching and your example?
I will, God being my helper.
The Prayer of Dedication.
¶1062. This should be done as soon after election as possible.
We are met here in the presence of God to recognize those who have been chosen to the work of teaching and directing the Sunday School of this church. For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building (I Corinthians 3:9). I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1). If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. (James 1:5-6a).
Are you constrained by the love of Christ to serve God and the church in the Sunday School?
The love of Christ constrains me.
Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
Without Him we can do nothing.
Will you strive to live, by the grace of God, as a Christian example for others, wherever you are, at home, at work or at school, and at play, as well as in the church?
I will, God being my helper.
Ye are not your own; ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Will you be loyal to the Evangelical Methodist Church, her doctrines and practices, as set forth in the Word of God and The Discipline of the church?
I will, God being my helper.
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord (I Corinthians 12:4-5). Neglect not the gift that is in thee . . . (I Timothy 4:14). Give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.
Prayer of Dedication:
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end (Ephesians 3:20-21).