The Ordination of Bishops
The Gathering of the Community
All standing, the presiding bishop greets the congregation.
The bishop says
Glory to God,
Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life,
who is, who was, and is to come.
Grace and peace to you from God.
Kia tau ki a koutou, te atawhai me te rangimārie o te Atua.
God fill you with truth and joy.
Mā te Atua koe e whakaū, ki te pono me te hari.
A hymn of praise, waiata or a psalm may be sung,
or the following is said or sung.
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The congregation kneels.
The bishop says
God has promised forgiveness
to all who truly repent,
turn to Christ in faith
and are themselves forgiving.
In silence we call to mind our sins.
Silence
Let us confess our sins.
Merciful God,
we have sinned in what we have thought and said,
in the wrong we have done
and in the good we have not done.
We have sinned in ignorance:
we have sinned in weakness:
we have sinned through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry.
We repent and turn to you.
Forgive us, for our Saviour Christ’s sake,
and renew our lives to the glory of your name. Amen.
The Absolution is declared by the bishop.
Through the cross of Christ,
God have mercy on you,
pardon you
and set you free.
Know that you are forgiven
and be at peace.
God strengthen you in all goodness
and keep you in life eternal.
Amen.
Glory to God in the highest may be said or sung here, all standing.
All sit.
The Presentation
The presiding bishop says
E te whānau a te Karaiti / People of God,
we have come to ordain a bishop in Christ’s holy Church.
Christ is head of the Church;
he alone is the source of all Christian ministry.
Through the ages it is Christ
who has called men and women to serve.
By the Holy Spirit all who believe and are baptised
receive a ministry to proclaim Jesus as Saviour and Lord,
and to love and serve the people with whom they live and work.
In Christ they are to bring redemption,
to reconcile and to make whole.
They are to be salt for the earth; they are to be light to the world.
After his resurrection and ascension
Christ gave gifts abundantly to the Church.
Some he made apostles, some prophets, some evangelists,
some pastors and teachers; to equip God’s people
for their work of ministry and to build up the body of Christ.
We stand within a tradition
in which there are deacons, priests and bishops.
They are called and empowered to fulfil an ordained ministry
and to enable the whole mission of the Church.
Our authority is in Scripture
and in the Church’s continuing practice through the ages.
Therefore let us welcome N, now presented to us,
to be ordained bishop.
The bishop-elect, in rochet or alb, is presented by a layperson, a priest and a bishop.
They say
We present N, who has been chosen by the Diocese of ... , and
the
Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.
We believe that s/he will serve Christ well as a bishop.
The presiding bishop says
Bishops are sent to lead by their example
in the total ministry and mission of the Church.
They are to be Christ’s shepherds
in seeking out and caring for those in need.
They are to heal and reconcile,
uphold justice and strive for peace.
Bishops are to exercise godly leadership
in that part of the Church committed to their care,
and to maintain wise discipline within its fellowship.
The Church looks to them to promote peace and unity
among all God’s people,
and to encourage their obedience to God’s word.
They are to keep the Church true to its faith,
as found in Scripture and the Creeds,
to teach this faith and proclaim it.
Bishops are to ensure that an episcopal ministry is maintained.
They are to ordain, send forth and care for the Church’s pastors,
and to preside over its worshipping life.
N, do you believe that you are called to the office and work of a
bishop?
The bishop-elect responds
I believe that God and the Church are calling me to this ministry.
I thank God for this call, and the Church for its encouragement.
All standing, the presiding bishop says to the people
E te whānau / People of God,
are you willing that N should be ordained bishop?
People We are. Thanks be to God.
The presiding bishop prays
Holy and living God,
you call men and women
to bring us your creative and redeeming Word.
Equip your people
for their work of ministry
and give to this your servant,
now to be ordained,
the gifts of grace s/he needs.
Amen.
The Collect of the Day may follow.
The congregation sits.
The Proclamation
The Readings
The readings are selected from the following
OLD TESTAMENT |
PSALM |
| Numbers 27:15–20, 22–23 Lookup: NLT Isaiah 61:1–4, (5–8) Lookup: NLT Ezekiel 34:11–16 Lookup: NLT |
40:1–17 Lookup: ANZPBNLT 99 Lookup: ANZPBNLT |
EPISTLE |
GOSPEL |
| Acts 20:17–32 Lookup: NLT 1 Timothy 3:1–7 Lookup: NLT 2 Timothy 1:6–14 Lookup: NLT |
John 13:2–17 Lookup: NLT John 17:1–9, 18–21 Lookup: NLT John 21:15–19 Lookup: NLT |
The reader first says
A reading from ... (chapter ... beginning at ... )
Silence may follow each reading.
After each reading, the reader may say
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
A psalm, hymn or anthem may follow each reading.
Then, all standing, a deacon reads the Gospel, first saying
The Holy Gospel according to ... (chapter ... beginning at ... )
Praise and glory to God.
After the Gospel, silence may be kept.
The reader says
This is the Gospel of Christ.
Praise to Christ, the Word.
The Sermon
The Sermon is preached here.
The Affirmation of Faith
The Nicene Creed is said, all standing.
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is,
seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became fully human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge
the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who in unity with the Father and the Son
is worshipped and glorified,
and has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
All are seated except the bishop-elect who stands before the presiding bishop.
The Commitment
The presiding bishop addresses the bishop-elect.
N, you have declared your faith in God.
We believe God is calling you to serve as a bishop.
We now ask you to declare again
your commitment to Christ in his Church.
| Presiding Bishop |
Do you believe that the Bible contains all that is essential for our salvation, and reveals God’s living word in Jesus Christ? |
| Bishop-elect | Yes, I do. God give me understanding in studying the Scriptures. May they reveal to me the mind and heart of Christ, and shape my ministry. |
| Presiding Bishop |
Will you maintain the doctrines of the faith as this Church has received them? |
| Bishop-elect | Yes, I will. My duty and my joy will be to witness to Christ crucified and risen. |
| Presiding Bishop |
Will you uphold the authority of the General Synod and the Constitution of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia? |
| Bishop-elect | Yes, I will. I am under that authority, and will exercise it in partnership with my sisters and brothers in Christ. |
| Presiding Bishop |
Will you oversee with compassion and patience the people of God committed to your care? Will you give encouragement to all, and labour to strengthen the Church’s witness and mission? |
| Bishop-elect | I will. God give me grace to listen, grace to be fair and merciful, courage and boldness to proclaim the gospel. |
| Presiding Bishop |
In selecting, training and ordaining, will you be thorough and discerning? |
| Bishop-elect | I will. God grant me wisdom to care for those ordained. |
| Presiding Bishop |
Will you lead God’s people in seeking the lost and lonely, in healing the sick and ministering to all, whatever their needs? Will you build up the Church in faith, and challenge us with the demands of love? |
| Bishop-elect | I will. My concern will be to show love and compassion. God give me courage to strive for justice, wholeness and peace among all people. |
| Presiding Bishop |
As a bishop in the Church of God, will you help us to share in the life of the world-wide Christian community? |
| Bishop-elect | Yes, I will. I will promote the unity and mission for which Christ prayed. |
| Presiding Bishop |
Will you pray faithfully and expectantly, alone and with the whole Church? |
| Bishop-elect | Yes, I will. Prayer will inspire my ministry. I will constantly seek the Lord and celebrate God’s presence with joy. |
| Presiding Bishop |
Will you then give glory to God, the holy and blessed Trinity? |
| Bishop-elect | Glory to God on high, God of power and might. You are my God. I can neither add to your glory nor take away from your power. Yet will I wait upon you daily in prayer and praise. |
The presiding bishop says
N, we praise God for your commitment
to serve Christ as a bishop in the Church.
A bishop is given authority to speak and act
as the Church’s representative,
to be a focus of unity for the diocese.
Remember, the work to which we are called is God’s work.
It is in God’s hand, and it is done in God’s name to God’s glory.
We must serve humbly and cheerfully.
People look to us as bishops to make decisions and to speak with
authority, whether or not we can do so. In the exercise of your
office do not be arrogant or overbearing.
Let us have the same mind as Christ Jesus.
N, do not allow the burdens and anxieties of your office to
blunt
your purpose or cloud your vision, but strive always to be pure in
heart, to be Christ’s servant, to follow Jesus.
May the vision of God enlighten your understanding.
May God’s continuing call sustain your walk with Christ,
and keep you joyful.
The bishop-elect and the congregation kneel.
The other bishops join the presiding bishop.
The Invocation
After a pause, the presiding bishop continues
Like the first disciples waiting for your coming,
empowering Spirit, we watch and pray.
The congregation prays in silence for the bishop-elect.
Silence
A hymn invoking the Holy Spirit may be sung.
| Presiding Bishop |
Holy Spirit of God, meet us in this moment as you met the apostles of old. Be with us, Holy Spirit, |
| People | bring faith and hope, we pray. |
| Bishop | Come Holy Spirit, |
| People | be present in your power. |
After a pause, the presiding bishop continues with The Ordination.
The Ordination
The assisting bishops then stand on either side of the presiding bishop who,
facing the bishop-elect, says this prayer of consecration.
All present join with the presiding bishop in saying the concluding part
of the prayer.
Blessed are you,
God our creator, God in history, God in revelation;
throughout the ages your unchanging purpose
has created a people to love and serve you.
Blessed are you in Christ Jesus,
your Incarnation, our Servant Lord,
who by death overcame death.
Through his resurrection and ascension,
through the gift of the Holy Spirit,
you have given life and order to your Church,
that we may carry out the ministry of love.
We thank you for calling this your servant
to share this ministry as a bishop.
The presiding bishop and the other bishops lay hands on the head of the bishop-elect, the presiding bishop saying after silence
God of grace, through your Holy Spirit,
gentle as a dove, living, burning as fire,
empower your servant N
for the office and work
of a bishop in the Church.
At the conclusion of the laying on of hands, the presiding bishop continues
May every grace of ministry rest on this your servant.
Keep her/him strong and faithful,
steadfast in Jesus Christ, our Saviour.
Amen!
May s/he point us to Christ, the Living Way,
feed us with Christ, the Bread of Life,
and unite us in Christ,
rejoicing!
The new bishop stands. The presiding bishop gives her/him a Bible, saying
N, here are the Holy Scriptures;
learn from them,
teach them,
live by them,
and proclaim Christ, the living Word.
The new bishop may now be vested and symbols of ministry may be given.
The Greeting
All standing, the new bishop may be welcomed by the other bishops and the
whole
congregation.
The new bishop may respond.
The Peace
The Eucharist continues at The Peace, during which the bishop
may
greet her/his family.
Additional Directions
Ordinations of priests and deacons shall take place on a day appointed by the bishop. The ordination of a bishop shall take place on a day appointed by the Primate.
The bishop conducting the ordination shall direct what shall be worn by those participating.
The candidates for the orders of deacon, and priest shall make the declarations required by the Constitution and Canons before the Service of Ordination.
It is important that a rehearsal be held at the direction of the presiding bishop.
The full name of each person being ordained shall be used at The Presentation, and thereafter the name by which s/he is known.
The presenters for deacons and priests shall be chosen by the candidates in consultation with the bishop.
The priest and lay representative who present the bishop-elect shall be appointed by the Standing Committee of the Diocese/Amorangi Whāiti of the Hui Amorangi concerned. The bishop who takes part in the presentation shall, after consultation with the bishop-elect, be appointed by the presiding bishop on behalf of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. These three presenters shall satisfy themselves that the Primate has issued a mandate for the ordination of the bishop.
At ordinations of deacons or priests when there is more than one candidate the presentation of each candidate may be made either by separate presenters for each candidate, or by a priest and a layperson who present all the candidates.
At ordinations, when it is necessary to ordain deacons and priests in one service, the following should be noted:
| (i) | At The Presentation the deacon and priest candidates may be presented in a combined form. The prayer (page 891), The Proclamation, and The Affirmation follow. The Commitment may be amalgamated. The Invocation follows. |
| (ii) | The Ordination of a Deacon follows and then The Ordination of a Priest. The provisions for the giving of a New Testament to the new deacon(s) and a Bible to the new priest(s) and the vesting and giving of symbols may follow the Ordination of the priest(s). |
Hymns, waiata, anthems, fanfares, and other music are appropriate at various places in the service, some of which are suggested in the rubrics.
The sermon shall include description of the work which a deacon, priest or bishop may be called to do, its setting in the Church’s life, and its links with Christ’s ministry.
At least some of the priests present shall join with the bishop in the laying on of hands at the ordination of a priest.
At least two other bishops shall join the presiding bishop at the laying on of hands of every bishop.
Symbols of ministry may be presented to the newly ordained provided they do not obscure the prime significance of what is prescribed in the service.
In any of the ordinations, the following tasks may be assigned.
| – | the newly ordained may assist at The Preparation of the Gifts and the distribution of Communion. |
| – | the newly ordained may lead the Prayer after Communion and The Dismissal. |
| – | the newly ordained bishop may give a concluding blessing. |
It may be appropriate for the newly ordained priests or the newly ordained bishop to be associated with the presiding priest or bishop during the Eucharist, but this should not include vocal participation in The Great Thanksgiving.
The family of the ordained may be recognised either at The Peace or at the distribution of the Communion.
At the Eucharist
The variations to The Great Thanksgiving, and the Seasonal Sentences, Prayers and Blessings for use after Communion for Pentecost are suitable for use.
The following prayer may be added before the blessing.
Go before us, Lord, in all our doings
with your most gracious favour
and further us with your continual help;
that in all our works begun, continued,
and ended in you,
we may glorify your holy name
now and always.