The Form and Manner of Ordaining and Consecrating a Bishop

At the hour appointment, the Bishop-Designate was inducted into the College of Bishops in a closed ceremony in an Episcopal Chamber, with the Bishops and selected Presbyters in attendance, witnessed by his Family. The first vestments were granted to the Ordinand for the episcopacy and the Bishops present endorsed all credentials. The Seals of the Church, the Apostolic Primate and the Episcopacy were affixed to the documents during that solemn ceremony.

 

The Order of Consecration and Ordination

 

All will stand. When all have reached their places the attention is given to the Main Alter, all will sing.

"Holy, Holy, Holy"

 

The people standing, the Presiding Bishop says: Blessed be God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

 

People And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever.  Amen.

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Archbishop      Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your Holy Name: through Christ our Lord. Amen

 

The Presentation

The Bishops and People sit. The Chief Consecrator says:

Upon hearing the witness of                   in view of God and the body of Christ, we believe that is good to the Holy Spirit and to us to anoint               as bishop over       . This person has displayed a dedication to the Lord and the church and is now being entrusted with the great task of watching over the people of God with the power of the Holy Spirit. Would you please join us in consecrating          to hold fast to the gospel, maintain sound doctrine, and to hold with great care the flock of God?

 

The Presiding Bishop will publicly present this servant and appointee by saying:

"Your Grace, Bishop in the Church of God: We support and ratify your appointment and the College of Bishops' selection of,                                                    to be a bishop and servant.  We therefore ask you to lay your hands upon him and in the power of the Holy Spirit to consecrate him bishop in the one Holy and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ."

 

The Archbishop shall then require the Bishop Elect/Designate to take the Oath of Conformity saying: The Canons of this Church require that no Pastor may be consecrated as a Bishop in the Church until he has subscribed without reservation to the Oath of Conformity. In the presence of this congregation, I now charge you to make your solemn declaration of the same.

 

The Presiding Bishop then requires the following promise from the Candidate:

"I                                        , chosen Bishop of the Church of God, do solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God and to contain all things necessary to salvation, and I consequently hold myself bound to conform my life and ministry thereto, and therefore I do solemnly engage to conform to the Doctrine, Discipline and Worship of the Lord Jesus Christ as this Church has received them through the Holy Scriptures."

 

 

The Bishop Elect/Designate then signs the above Oath of Conformity in the sight of all present.

 

All of the congregation shall them stand.

 

The Presiding Bishop says the Following, and asks the response of the People.

"Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, you have heard the testimony given that this man has been duly and lawfully appointed and elected to be a bishop of the Church of God and to serve his Church in particular. You have been assured of his suitability and that the College has approved him for this sacred responsibility. Nevertheless, if any of you know any reason why we should not proceed, let it now be made known."

If no objection in made, the Presiding Bishop continues

 

"Is it your will that we ordain                            as bishop?"

 

The People Respond                                         "That is our will."

 

Presiding Bishop                                               "Will you "uphold HIM in HIS bishopric?"

 

The People Respond                                        "We Will”

 

Then the Archbishop invites the congregation present. to pray saying the following:

"Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, it is written in the Gospel of Saint Luke that our Savior Christ continued the whole night in prayer, before he chose and sent forth his twelve Apostles. It is written also in the Acts of the Apostles, that the disciples at Antioch fasted and prayed before they sent forth Paul and Barnabas by laying their hands upon them. Let us, therefore, following the example of our Savior and his Apostles, offer up our prayers to Almighty God, before we admit and send forth this person presented to us, to do the work to which we trust the Holy Spirit has called him."

The Invocation – Prayers offered by selected Bishops

The Ministry of the Word

The Old Testament                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           KJV, Numbers 6:22-27

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.

 

The New Testament - KJV, John 21:10-17

Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come [and] dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

The Examination

 

All are seated except the Bishop Elect, who stands before the Archbishop.

 

The Archbishop Addresses and examines the Bishop Elect/Designate follows.

"Brother, the Holy Scriptures the ancient Canons command that we should not be hasty in laying on hands, and admitting any person to authority in the Church of Christ, which our Lord purchased with no less price than the shedding of his own blood; so before we admit you to this Office, we will examine you in certain Articles, in order that this congregation here present may know how you will conduct yourself in the Church of God. Are you persuaded that you are truly called to this ministry, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Order of this Church?

Answer:  I am so persuaded.

The following questions are addressed to the Bishop Elect/Designate by one or more of the Bishops.

 

Presiding Bishop: "Do you promise to hold firmly to the Word of God and aim to live according to the scriptures, glorifying your Lord and Savior?"

 

Answer: I will, with the help of God, even if it means sacrificing my life.

 

 

Presiding Bishop: "Do you testify to your belief that these scriptures are true and promise to defend its truth at all costs for his church and for his kingdom?"

 

Answer: I will, with the help of God, even if it means sacrificing my life.

 

Presiding Bishop:         "Do you commit to guard what has been entrusted to your care as a shepherd, by faithfully guiding, teaching, correcting, comforting, protecting and feeding your people?

 

Answer              I will, with the help of God, even if it means sacrificing my life.

 

Presiding Bishop:        "Will you seek to live in unity and in obedience to your leaders within the Canadian College of Evangelical Bishops?"

 

Answer             I will, with the help of God, even if it means sacrificing my life.

 

Presiding Bishop:        "Are you ready, with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away from the Church all erroneous and strange Doctrine contrary to God's Word; and both privately and publicly to call upon others and encourage them to do the same?''

Answer             I will, with the help of God, even if it means sacrificing my life.

 

All stand. The Presiding Bishop then Says:

"My Son: Through these promises you have committed yourself to God.  May God have mercy upon you and give you gifts and graces for the journey before you. We call upon you to come before the Lord and humbly kneel to receive your ordination to this calling and consecration as a Prince in the Lord's Church.”

The Act of Consecration

 

The people now take their seats. The Presiding Bishop now prays.

"Heavenly Father, thank you for your faithfulness to us and how you have sustained your church throughout the centuries by sending prophets, apostles and your Son, Jesus Christ. Knowing that you have continued to raise up servants to guard those who have chosen to follow you, thank you for the servant you have given us this day. We celebrate your gift and the ministry you have planned to fulfill through                                                   . We invite your blessing and presence to fill this consecration and anointing."

 

The Presiding Bishop and other consecrating Bishops lay hands on the Bishop Elect/ Designate. The Presiding Bishop now prays.

"Therefore, Lord, in your presence we make       bishop of your Church. Pour out your Spirit upon your servant. Pour out your Spirit in the same way you poured out your Spirit upon the prophets, the apostles and your Son, Jesus Christ so that your church will be built up for your glory and for your kingdom in all the earth."

 

The Presiding Bishop anoints the head, great finger, and the soles of the feet

 

The new Bishop is now vested according to the order of Bishops. A Bible is presented, by opening it at the Gospels and placing is upon the head of the new Bishop, with these words:

"Receive the Holy Scriptures. Feed the flock of Christ committed to your charge, guard and defend them in His truth, and be a faithful steward of His Holy Word and Sacraments."

The Cross is presented by the Presiding Bishop with these words:

"Receive this cross as a sign of our Lord's triumph and the banner of our salvation. Be one with the apostles in proclaiming Christ's resurrection and His sovereignty as Lord and Savior."

 

A Ring is presented by the Presiding Bishop with these words:

"Receive this ring as a symbol of authority. Guard the faith, unity and discipline of Christ's holy apostolic Church."

 

A Tallit is presented by the Presiding Bishop with these words:

"Receive this tallit. Wrap yourself within the word of God, constantly being reminded of the name of God and his commandments."

The Presiding Bishop then presents the new Bishop to the People. The Clergy and People offer their acclamation and applause in response to his consecration. Salute the bishops.

 

The Presiding Bishop's Sermonic Address

 

 

The Call to Discipleship and Fellowship

 

 

The Benediction