What we're getting ourselves into...

For those of you who are interested, here are the ordination vows that my wife Mel and I will be taking, when we are ordained as ministers at Peace Hill Christian Fellowship next Sunday. At the bottom are promises that the congregation will be making. This list is based on the Presbyterian ordination service, with some modifications.

Charge to the Ordained:

1. Do you believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the living word of God and that they are the only infallible rule of faith and practice, and will you, by God’s grace, faithfully apply the Scriptures to teach, correct, rebuke and train God’s people in righteousness?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE WILL”.

2. Do you promise to listen with humility to the concerns and counsel of your brothers and sisters in Christ, and will you make the work of Christ and his church your mission? Will you make decisions about the ministry and mission of the church in like-minded agreement with the other leaders of the church?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE DO”.

3. Have you been called, as far as you know in your own heart, to seek and take up the office of the ministry out of a love for God and a sincere desire to promote his glory through the Gospel?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE HAVE”.

4. Do you promise to be zealous and faithful, holding on to the truths of the Gospel? Will you promise to faithfully work towards the purity, peace and unity of the church, whatever difficulties may come on that account?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE DO”.

5. Will you, by God’s grace, be faithful, careful and persistent in the exercise of all private and personal duties which become you as a Christian and a minister of the Gospel, as well as in all the duties of your office, honoring the profession of the Gospel by your life and setting an example of godliness for the congregation over which God shall make you overseer?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE WILL”.

6. Do you, as sinners under the grace of God, confess your dependence on the grace and mercy of God to carry out this office? And do you promise, as those prone to human weakness and error, to be mindful both to receive the Word with humility as those under the grace of Jesus, and to minister the Word with a gentle and humble spirit?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE DO”.

7. Are you, at this time, willing to take the charge of this congregation and do you promise to discharge the duties of a pastor to them as God shall give you strength?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE ARE”.


Charge to the Congregation:
1. Are you, the people of this congregation, ready to receive ____________, whom you have called to be your ministers?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE ARE”.

2. Do you promise to receive the word of truth from them, listen to their counsel with meekness, love and submit to them in the proper exercise of church discipline for your souls’ health?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE DO”.

3. Do you promise to encourage these ministers in their difficult work, to obey them as leaders of the church, and submit to their authority as they keep watch over you? Will you seek to obey them and to make their work among you a joy and not a burden?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE WILL”.

4. Do you promise to continue to support them financially and care for their physical needs? And do you promise to continue to them, while they are your pastors, that care and support which you have promised, and whatever else you may see as needful to honor your love and care for them, and for their comfort among you?
IF SO, ANSWER BY SAYING, “WE DO”.