A small commissioning within the Great Commission

Tomorrow, Sunday 20th July 2014, I'll be making promises in the context of morning worship at Upper Norwood Methodist Church. It's the tradition that Methodist Mission Partners are commissioned for service in the wider World Church, and this is the form of words.

World Church

Representative: 

We joyfully present this servant of God, to be commissioned for service in the World Church.

Leader:                 God's mission is one throughout the world and we thank God that you have responded to God's call to work in the Church overseas. You go to serve the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit. As you live, work and worship with fellow Christians may you grow in mutual respect and love, so strengthening each other. We are one with you in this act of dedication. We will pray for you. Pray for us also.

    Will you share fully in the life of the Pacific Theological College to which you go, and accept       its discipline?

Candidate/s:     With God's help I will.

Leader:                 In the power of the Holy Spirit will you seek in your daily living to demonstrate the love of Christ and proclaim the Good News of God's Kingdom?

Candidate/s:     With God's help I will.

Leader:                 Will you try to stay open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that you may be enabled to take your part in the mission of the Church, according to the opportunities available to you?

Candidate/s:     With God's help I will.

Leader:                 Will you maintain your links with the home Church, receiving its support and sharing your experience with it?

Candidate/s:     With God's help I will.

(The Congregation stands)

Leader:                 Members in Christ, will you support by your prayers, understanding and love this person now being commissioned, together with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the World Church?

All:                         With God's help we will.

(Candidate kneels, the Congregation remain standing)

Leader:                 In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, we commission you to serve and to witness in your life and work overseas.

All:                         Amen.

Leader:                 Almighty God, we thank you that you strengthen your Church for mission in all the world; bless this your servant whom you have called to serve in the worldwide Church. Give her insight and adaptability, courage and good judgement. Make her ready to learn as well as to teach, to receive as well as to give, to the Glory of your Name.

All:                         Amen.

Presentation of a Bible.

When we're ordained for ministry, we go public. There's no hiding who we are and what we're about - or there certainly shouldn't be - and so it's right and proper for me to be called to account once more, in a service of public worship, and make solemn commitments before God and God's people about the next stage in ministry. It will be both my duty and delight to do this. My hope though, is that the spotlight which falls on me for a brief moment, extends its rays over everyone in the congregation - indeed over everyone who's ever committed themselves to a life of Christian faith and service. We're all commissioned within the Great Commission. Gifts, graces and geographical locations may differ, but these commitments and promises can surely speak to all our lives. I trust so.