SERVICES FOR THE ORDERING OF MINISTRY IN THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 2017-2020

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Prepared by Discipleship Ministries,The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and The Office of Christian Unity and Inter-religious Relationships in collaboration with The Council of Bishops.

This edition of Services for the Ordering of Ministry in The United Methodist Church marks a significant evolution in the development of our ordinal.

For some years, there have been requests to provide an alternative version of the ordination service. The second service for ordination, commissioning, and recognition of orders in this edition includes more contemporary language and a more interactive format that expresses more fully our church’s growing appreciation for the baptismal vocation of all Christians and the work of the Holy Spirit in baptism and Christian discipleship. In designing services or ordination for annual conferences, bishops are invited to use either form of service in its entirety or choose equivalent elements from either as may seem most appropriate for their settings.

In addition, a new rite for the reception of members in full connection has been included in the appendix. This may be used as part of the ordination service, following ordination per se, or as a rite of recognition during the clergy session when persons are elected into full membership.

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