Commissioning Service Outline

Commissioning Service for a Christian Wedding Officiant

This Commissioning Service celebrates a sacred calling to serve as a Christian Wedding Officiant. Today, we affirm that [Name] has responded to God’s prompting to serve couples and communities through Christ-centered ceremonies. This moment recognizes their training, character, and willingness to be used by God in moments of covenant and celebration.

This service may be led by the candidate’s mentor, pastor, church leader, or denominational leader. It can be integrated into a worship service, conducted as a standalone event, or included in a church or house church gathering.

Introduction

Today, we gather to commission and install [Name] into the role of a Christian Wedding Officiant, a unique and meaningful calling within the Body of Christ. This service celebrates the call of God on [Name]’s life and their commitment to honor Christ in officiating weddings with love, truth, and reverence.

Biblical Foundation

This commissioning includes timeless characteristics of ministry appointments, as outlined in Scripture:

Spiritual Qualifications
[Name] has demonstrated a walk with God, meeting the spiritual qualifications for ministry and showing faithfulness to the call (Acts 6:2–6; Acts 13:2–3).

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

Church Connection
[Name] is connected to the local Church and committed to building the Kingdom of God (Colossians 3:16–17).

Gospel-Centered Ministry
The purpose of this commissioning is to reflect Christ in sacred moments and uphold God’s design for marriage (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 28:18–20; Colossians 3:17).

Acknowledgment of Training

[Name] has completed formal ministry training through the Christian Leaders Institute, including coursework in officiating Christian weddings and fulfilling the requirements for the Christian Officiant Role and the Ordained Minister Commissioning Course.

The Charge to the One Being Commissioned

As a Christian Wedding Officiant, you are entrusted with moments that matter deeply—joining two lives under God’s design for marriage. You are called to speak with grace, uphold biblical truth, and point every couple toward Christ as the foundation of love.

Responsibilities

• Represent Christ with clarity and love.

• Uphold the biblical meaning of marriage.

• Walk in personal integrity and spiritual humility.

• Prepare diligently, speak thoughtfully, and pray often.

Questions to the Candidate

To affirm your acceptance of this role, please answer the following:

1. Do you believe God has called you to serve as a Christian Wedding Officiant in His Church?

2. Do you affirm that marriage is a sacred covenant, established by God and centered in Christ?

3. Do you promise to carry out your duties with care, integrity, and reverence for God’s Word and those you serve?

Candidate Response:
“I do, God helping me.”

The Laying on of Hands

The officiating leader(s) shall lay hands on the candidate, offering this prayer:

“May God, our heavenly Father, who has called you to this sacred role, guide you by His Word, equip you with His Holy Spirit, and bless your ministry. May your words bring truth, your presence bring peace, and your work bring honor to Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Final Charge

[Name], may you go forward as a faithful servant of Christ, a joyful witness to love, and a steady voice in sacred moments. May every wedding you officiate reflect the joy and truth of the Gospel. Go in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and grounded in the love of God. Amen.