Admission of a Minister from another Denomination
(Approved in its present form by the November 2016 Assembly Standing Committee)
The Service of Admission
This Service of Admission is part of a presbytery worship service.
Following The Service of the Word, the secretary of Presbytery offers a Narration of Steps.
The Narration of Steps should include acknowledgement of and gratitude for:
1. where the minister was ordained, 2. something of the minister’s ministry and giftings. 3. role of Assembly, Synod and Presbytery in the process leading to this point.
The Chairperson of Presbytery addresses the minister to be admitted:
NN,
the Synod of ...
has resolved to admit you as a Minister of the Word/Deacon
in the Uniting Church in Australia.
We are here to affirm and celebrate
your admission to the Uniting Church,
and to recognise you as a Minister of the Word/Deacon
in this Church.
We give thanks that you have been ordained to the office and work
of a Minister of the Word /Deacon
in the Church of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, that we may know
that you desire, by God’s grace, to continue in ministry
within the Uniting Church in Australia,
we ask you these questions:
Do you confess anew Jesus Christ as Lord?
I do so confess.
Do you believe that you are truly called
by God and the Church
to the office and work of a Minister of the Word/Deacon?
I do so believe.
Do you embrace the faith and unity of the holy catholic and apostolic Church
as described in the Basis of Union?
I do.
In your life and work within the Uniting Church
will you be guided by its Basis of Union,
and will you submit yourself to the Church’s discipline?
With God’s help I will.
Learning from the Confessional Documents of the Uniting Church in Australia
will you diligently teach Christ’s people,
reminding them of the centrality of the person and work of Jesus Christ
and the grace which justifies them through faith?
With God’s help, I will.
Do you affirm and commit yourself to the covenant made between the
Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and the Uniting Church
and accept the obligation to serve both First and Second peoples?
I do.
Will you strive for peace and unity
among all Christian people,
and especially among those whom you serve?
With God’s help, I will.
PRAYER
The people stand.
The minister kneels.
The chairperson of presbytery offers this prayer:
We praise you, eternal God,
because in your infinite goodness
you have given us your only Son Jesus Christ
to be the Saviour of the world,
the Shepherd of our souls and the Head of your Church.
We praise you because our risen and ascended Lord
has poured forth his gifts abundantly;
and has formed throughout the world
a holy people fit for your possession,
to participate in his ministry
and to fulfil your gracious purposes.
We give you thanks that you have called N
to be a Minister of the Word/Deacon in your Church.
And we pray that the Holy Spirit will endow him/her
with grace and power to fulfil this calling,
so that your people may be strengthened
and your holy name be glorified for ever;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
DECLARATION AND WELCOME
The minister stands and faces the people.
The chairperson declares:
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the sovereign Head of the Church,
and by the authority of the Synod of ...
and the Presbytery of ...,
we now declare that NNN
is a Minister of the Word/Deacon
within the Uniting Church in Australia.
We welcome you as a colleague and friend
and offer you our love and our prayers
as you begin your ministry among us.
Symbols of ministry may be presented.
Symbols: It would be desirable to include symbols (and explain their meaning) that help to tell the story of how ministry has been and will be expressed in the life of the person being admitted. Such symbols may include items that have held significance in past ministries that contribute to the current and emerging ministries
NB - for some ministers, particular crosses, stoles, garments, talking sticks, dances, or movements (such as bowing or kneeling), kava or rice bowls, writing implements, signs of service, authority or leadership, may be appropriate. These should generally be explained, either verbally during the service or by demonstration or by notes in the Order of Service. In some cases, there may have been a symbol of Ordination presented to the Minister by their ordaining church. It may be appropriate to include such a symbol.
The people may applaud.
This may be followed by the singing of a doxology, e.g. Together in Song 768-775, or Australian Hymn Book, 573-577.
The people sit.
The service continues with Prayers of the People and may include the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
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