ORDINATION PLEDGES
ORDINATION PLEDGE
Realising the seriousness of the responsibilities that will fall on me as an Ordained Minister, I, _________________, hereby pledge as follows:
I will be strong in the Lord and endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
I will give myself wholly to the Word of God, so that I might present myself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
I will give myself to prayer and fasting, seeking to keep myself free from the domination of the flesh and the distracting influence of the world.
I will make myself always available to the Lord, so that through my ministry God’s people will be built up and the Lord glorified.
I will proclaim the gospel with all the zeal I possess, respecting those to whom I witness, and having a concern for their eternal destiny.
I will put God first in my life, when it is convenient and when it is not convenient. I will work in harmony with other Christian ministers.
I will be obedient to God and His Word.
I will discharge faithfully all duties that are apportioned to me.
I will by the grace of God protect the interest of God’s work worldwide.
My life will be spent for that which makes for peace, unity and growth in the body of Christ.
I will, by my life, set a good example, in love, humility, service, obedience, faith, purity, generosity and all the other virtues expected of a Christian leader.
Realising that it is not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord, I will rely on the Holy Spirit to enable me to fulfil this pledge. In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
Charge to the Ordinand
I charge you to faithfully fulfil the vows you have made today, aware that many have lost their ministries and the anointing and favour of God for want of diligence.
You must love the Lord with all your heart and serve Him sincerely. In like manner you must love and serve those that He entrusts to your care. You should learn from the failure of those in Scripture, and in modern times, who began well but ended badly because their hearts were not wholly given to God and His Word.
Whilst the psalmist declares that God ‘has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant’ make sure you do not get enslaved with the cares of this life.
You must renounce the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, not handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commend yourself to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
You must flee every lust and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness and peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
You must be watchful in all things, enduring afflictions and insults, and fulfil your ministry.
You must submit for the Lord’s sake to those that are senior to you in the Lord, knowing that the spirit in which you serve will be evident in those you lead.
You must teach sound doctrine and be a doer of all you teach and preach, if you expect those entrusted to your care to heed your words.
Never cease your labour, your care and diligence until you have done all that lies in you to bring all in your charge to agreement in the faith and knowledge of God.
For as much, then, as your office is excellent and difficult, occasioning much study and care, apply yourself to show yourself dutiful and thankful to the Lord who placed you in such a position, being watchful that you neither offend nor cause others to offend, ordering your life in your home, the church and society so as to enhance the role to which you have been called.
I charge you therefore to walk in the Spirit, demonstrating godly commitment, obedience, love, sacrifice and service all the days of your life.
May the Lord bless you.
Charge to the supporters of the ministry
I charge you, as friends of _______________________ and supporters of his/her ministry, that you hold him/her and his/her ministry in high regard praying for him/her and his/her family and his/her ministry, offering practical support as may be fitting and doing so with sensitivity.
Make yourselves available to _____________________ for the work of the ministry as is appropriate, for the work is great and the labourers are few.
Make sure you avoid falsely speaking ill of ____________________ . Charges against those in ministry should be well-founded and brought with sensitivity, having due regard for biblical protocol.
Those who faithfully serve those who serve will receive a prophet’s reward.
‘Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.’
May the Lord bless you.