Step Six: Commissioning Service

Ministry Chaplain Commissioning Service

This Commissioning Service is a sacred occasion to install a Ministry Chaplain, a leader dedicated to providing Christ-centered care and spiritual guidance in a variety of settings, including hospitals, care facilities, prisons, military units, community organizations, and churches.

This service may be led by the candidate’s mentor, pastor, church leader, Christian Leaders Church representative, Christian Leaders Alliance member, or a denominational minister. It may be part of a worship service, a standalone event, or a house church gathering.

Introduction

Today, we gather to commission and install [Name] into the role of Ministry Chaplain. This service celebrates the call of God on [Name]’s life and their commitment to serve individuals and communities with compassion, care, and the hope of the Gospel.

This commissioning reflects the timeless characteristics of ministry appointments outlined in Scripture:

1. Spiritual Qualifications
   [Name] has demonstrated a faithful walk with God, meeting the spiritual qualifications for ministry and showing faithfulness to their call (Acts 6:2-6; 14:23).

2. Public Prayer and Commissioning
   We will pray over [Name] and lay hands on them as a sign of commissioning (Acts 6:6; 13:3).

3. Spiritual Leadership
   This commissioning has been prepared with prayer, recognizing the spiritual significance of this moment (Acts 13:3; 14:23).

4. Church Connection
   [Name] is committed to building up the Church and advancing God’s Kingdom (Colossians 3:16-17).

5. Gospel-Centered Ministry
   The ultimate goal of this commissioning is to glorify God by bringing spiritual comfort, guidance, and hope through the work of chaplaincy (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).

Acknowledgment of Training

[Name] has completed formal ministry training through the Christian Leaders Institute, which included coursework and practical training in chaplaincy, pastoral care, and ministry leadership. They have earned the Ministry Chaplain Credential, fulfilling all requirements, including officiating ceremonies, providing spiritual care, and developing leadership skills for diverse ministry settings.

Since 2006, the Christian Leaders Institute has equipped leaders to serve in various roles through rigorous, college-level training.

The Charge to the One Being Commissioned

As a Ministry Chaplain, you are charged with profound responsibilities, guided by Scripture and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Responsibilities of a Chaplain

1. Spiritual Care and Counseling
   Provide Christ-centered guidance and emotional support to individuals and families in times of crisis, illness, grief, and joy. Offer counsel that is rooted in Scripture and sensitive to the needs of those you serve (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

2. Sacramental Duties
   Officiate ceremonies such as weddings, baptisms, dedications, funerals, and the Lord’s Supper, bringing sacred moments to life for individuals and communities (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

3. Presence in Crisis
   Be a calming and compassionate presence in emergency or high-stress situations, offering prayer and hope to those experiencing loss, trauma, or uncertainty (Psalm 46:1-2).

4. Community Service
   Engage with diverse populations, including those in care facilities, correctional institutions, hospitals, and military units, ensuring that the love of Christ reaches all people (Matthew 25:34-40).

5. Advocate for Spiritual Wellness
   Promote spiritual health and wholeness by encouraging individuals to draw closer to God, fostering reconciliation, and facilitating prayer and forgiveness ceremonies (James 5:16).

6. Combatting Spiritual Darkness
   Equip yourself for spiritual warfare, helping individuals resist spiritual attacks and providing biblical guidance to overcome struggles with sin and oppression (Ephesians 6:10-18).

7. Cultural Sensitivity
   Navigate diverse settings and minister to people of varying backgrounds, upholding Christ’s love for all and fostering inclusivity (1 Corinthians 9:22).

8. Accountability and Growth
   Remain accountable to your Church, peers, and the Christian Leaders Alliance, ensuring ongoing spiritual growth and adherence to the standards of a Ministry Chaplain (1 Timothy 3:1-7).

Statement of Accountability

As with all Christian leaders, if [Name] becomes delinquent in doctrine or conduct, those gathered today are encouraged to contact the commissioning authority or the Christian Leaders Alliance to ensure accountability and restoration.

Questions to the Candidate

To affirm your commitment to this calling, please respond to the following:

1. Do you believe that God has called you to serve as a Ministry Chaplain?
2. Do you affirm that the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and life?
3. Do you subscribe to the biblical standards practiced by this community, rejecting teachings that contradict them?
4. Do you promise to serve faithfully, offering compassion, guidance, and Gospel-centered care in your role as a Ministry Chaplain?

Candidate Response

"I do, God helping me."

The Laying on of Hands

The officiating leader(s) shall lay hands on the candidate and pray:

"May God, our heavenly Father, who has called you to this solemn role, equip you with His Spirit, guide you by His Word, and bless your ministry so that lives may be transformed, communities may flourish, and His name may be glorified. In Christ’s name, Amen."

Final Charge to the Newly Commissioned Ministry Chaplain

[Name], as a Ministry Chaplain, I charge you to serve with compassion, courage, and humility. Be a source of hope to the hurting, a guide to the lost, and a voice of encouragement to the weary. Through your ministry, may the light of Christ shine brightly, bringing healing, comfort, and restoration to all you encounter.

Go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit to serve as a faithful steward of God’s love and truth, building His Kingdom in every place He leads you. Amen.