The Admission of Lay Ministers and Officers

The Admission of Lay Ministers and Officers

The Admission of Lay Ministers and Officers is an occasional service of the Reformed Episcopal Church used for the admission of lay ministers and parish officers to their appointed duties.

Overview

This rite admits lay ministers and officers to defined service in the parish or church, including lectors, vergers, acolytes, choristers, sacristans, catechists, wardens, vestry members, and similar offices.

Full Text of the Service

Officers

¶ To be used before Holy Communion, or after the Collects in the Daily Office.

¶ The Priest shall appoint a Sponsor who shall instruct and examine the Candidates in the duties of their Office, and present them for Admission.

¶ Candidates for different Ministries may be presented and examined together, but shall be admitted separately with the Proper pertaining to their Office.

The Presentation

¶ The congregation being seated, the Priest shall stand at the chancel gate, facing the people, the Sponsor and the Candidate(s), clad in the proper vesture of their Office, standing before him. The Sponsor shall say,

REVEREND Sir, I present unto you these persons, to be admitted to the Office of Lector (or Verger, etc.) in this Parish.

Priest. Are the persons whom you present duly prepared by purity of life, regular attendance at Church, and knowledge of their duties, to exercise their ministry to the honour of God and the edifying of the Church?

Sponsor. I have instructed and examined them, and believe them so to be.

The Examination

¶ The Priest, addressing the Candidates, shall say,

DEARLY beloved, who desire to be admitted to the Office of Lector (or Verger, etc.) in this Church, are you convinced that the work of this ministry is so important that, while you are appointed thereto, you should be diligent in performing the same?

Answer. I am so convinced.

Priest. Will you try faithfully and reverently to execute the duties of your Office to the best of your ability, as unto the Lord and not unto men?

Answer. I will try to do so.

Priest. Will you strive to live in accordance with the sacredness of this Office?

Answer. I will so strive, the Lord being my helper.

Priest. May God guide and bless you in the doing of this work.

The Admission

¶ Then, the people being seated, the Candidates, standing, shall be admitted as follows. The Priest shall take each Candidate by the right hand, saying the words of Admission, I admit you, etc. Then he shall give the Candidate the Token of the Office, saying, And I give you, etc. and shall say over them the Collect.

1. of Lector

I ADMIT you to the Office of Lector in this Church; and I give you this Bible as a token of your ministry; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Let us pray.

O ALMIGHTY God, whose blessed Son didst read the holy Scriptures in the synagogue: Look graciously upon the lectors of thy Church, and so enlighten them with wisdom and understanding that they may read thy holy Word to the edification of thy people, and the glory of thy holy Name; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

2. of Vergers

I ADMIT you to the Office of Verger in this Church; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

RECEIVE, your Verger’s Vestment as a symbol of the service you will offer Christ and His Church. And receive this Virge as a token of your ministry to provide guidance and protection.

Let us pray.

ALMIGHTY Father, from whom every family in heaven and earth is named, who has called us into the fellowship of your Church, grant, we pray, that in all our churches we may fulfill the duties and enjoy the privileges of our spiritual homes.

And on those who offer themselves for service as vergers in the house of God bestow the fullness of your grace, that, united in love to you, and to one another, we may show forth your glory and hasten the coming of Your Kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

3. of Acolytes

I ADMIT you to the Office of Acolyte in this Church; and I give you this Candle as a token of your ministry; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Let us pray.

O GLORIOUS King, before whose heavenly throne the angels stand to do thy will: Bless, we beseech thee, the Acolytes of thy Church, that ministering before thine earthly throne they may serve thee with reverence and true holiness, to the honour and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

4. of Choristers

I ADMIT you to the Office of Chorister in this Church; and I give you this Hymnal as a token of your ministry; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who didst inspire thy servant David both to write songs, and to appoint singers for thy worship: Give thy grace to the Choristers of thy Church, that speaking together in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, they may sing and make melody in their hearts to thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

5. of Sacristans or Altar Guild Members

I ADMIT you to the Office of Sacristan in this Church; and I give you this Purificator as a token of your ministry; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who of old didst give the Levites the charge of the instruments of thy holy temple: Give thy grace, we beseech thee, to the Sacristans of thy Church, that devoutly caring for the vessels and vestments of thy worship, and adorning the place of thy sanctuary, they may make the place of thy presence glorious; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

6. of Catechists or Teachers

I ADMIT you to the Office of Catechist in this Church; and I give you this Prayer Book as a token of your ministry; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Let us pray.

O GOD, whose blessed Son taught in the temple: Give thy blessing and the guidance of thy Holy Spirit to the Catechists of thy Church, that teaching thy children both by word and good example, they may lead them to the knowledge and love of thee and of thy holy Church; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

7. of Other Lay Workers

I ADMIT you to the Office of ———— in this Parish (or Diocese); and I give you this ———— as a token of your ministry (The token to be given must be determined by the office); In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Let us pray.

O LORD, without whom our labour is but lost: We humbly beseech thee to prosper all works in thy Church undertaken according to thy holy will; and grant to thy labourers a pure intention, patient faith, sufficient success on earth, and the blessedness of serving thee in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

8. of Wardens and Vestrymen

I ADMIT you to the Office of Warden (or Vestryman) in this Church; and I give you this Book of Canons as a token of your ministry; In the Name of’ the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Let us pray.

O ETERNAL God, the fountain of all wisdom: Enlighten with thy grace the Wardens and Vestrymen of thy Church, and so rule their minds, and guide their counsels, that in all things they may seek thy glory and the welfare of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Conclusion

Priest. The Lord be with you.

Answer. And with thy spirit.

Priest. Let us pray.

REGARD, we beseech thee, O Lord, our supplications, and confirm with thy heavenly benediction thy servants whom we have admitted to the lay ministry of thy Church, that with sincere devotion of mind and body they may offer a service acceptable to thy divine Majesty; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

THE Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

Notes on Use

• Use before Holy Communion or after the collects in the Daily Office.
• Candidates for different ministries may be presented and examined together but admitted separately where proper forms are provided.
• Select the proper admission form for the office being conferred.

Liturgical Structure

• Presentation and general examination
• Office-specific admissions
• Symbols of office where appointed
• Prayers
• Blessing

Theological Themes

• The many-membered service of the body of Christ.
• Public accountability for parish offices.
• Faithful stewardship of worship, teaching, order, and care.

Source

This text is transcribed from the official Reformed Episcopal Church PDF.

See Also

• Book of Common Prayer
• Reformed Episcopal Church
• Anglican liturgy
• Book of Occasional Services (Reformed Episcopal Church)
• The Admission of Lay Readers
• The Setting Apart of Deaconess