AN ORDER FOR THE RECOGNITION OF A CANDIDATE

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This order may be used within a service of worship by a congregation to recognize a candidate for the ordained ministry after he or she has been certified as a candidate by the district Committee on Ordained Ministry.

As a Response to the Word or immediately prior to taking some leadership role in the service, the candidate comes forward.

Pastor to congregation:

Today we are happy to recognize Name
and celebrate his/her certification
as a candidate for the ordained ministry
by the Committee on Ordained Ministry of the Name District
of The United Methodist Church.

Pastor to candidate:

Name, we rejoice with you
that you have heard God's call to the I ordained ministry
and have said, with Isaiah: Here am I; send me!
The Church has certified you as a candidate for this ministry.
As you prepare for it in the months and years ahead,
we will stand with you and offer you our fullest support.

Pastor to congregation:

I invite you to stand and join with me in prayer for Name
as he/she prepares for his/her ministry.

The pastor may pray extemporaneously, or the pastor and congregation may join in the following prayer:

Spirit of the living God,
we pray for Name as he/she prepares to answer your call.
Guide him/her as he/she faces further decisions
and strengthen him/her when the path is long and hard.
Keep us open to your guidance
as we continue to offer our support
and as we listen for your call in our own lives.
This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

A hymn may be sung and a blessing given. See hymn suggestions.

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Copyright: “An Order for the Recognition of a Candidate” Copyright © 1992 UMPH. Note: This order has been altered to reflect changes in the 1996 Book of Discipline eliminating the category “diaconal minister” and the “Conference Board of Diaconal Ministry.”