Commissioning Prayer

3-Minute Local Ordination & Commissioning Ceremony

Ordained Marketplace Chaplain — Laying on of Hands

(Leader note: Read straight through. Where you see brackets, fill in the details. Choose ONE optional insert—A, B, C, or D—and delete the others.)

1) Opening & Introduction (30 seconds)

Leader:

Today, we gather as a local expression of the Church of Jesus Christ at [Name of place—church / home / community setting / Soul Center] in [City, State].

We gather because ordination is not merely a private achievement. It is a public recognition of calling, preparation, and faithful service. It is confirmed in real places, among real people, with prayer, witnesses, and the laying on of hands.

The Church is not confined to a building. The Church is the people of God, gathered in the name of Jesus Christ and sent into the world to bring truth, mercy, presence, and hope.

Optional insert — choose one:

A — Local Church Partnership
In partnership with [Name of Church], we commission [Name] as an Ordained Marketplace Chaplain—to bring Christ-centered care, prayer, Scripture, and compassionate presence to individuals, employees, leaders, and workplace communities where people seek hope, encouragement, and spiritual support.

B — Marketplace Ministry Context
In connection with [Name of business / workplace / organization / ministry setting], we recognize [Name] as a chaplain who will walk alongside people in workplace and marketplace settings marked by stress, uncertainty, grief, relational strain, and spiritual need—bringing the steady care of Christ into everyday work life.

C — Soul Center / Community Chaplaincy
As a Soul Center in [City/Region], we commission [Name] as an Ordained Marketplace Chaplain—to offer prayer, encouragement, spiritual care, calm presence, and gospel hope through workplace relationships, business settings, and approved ministry contexts.

D — Workplace and Community Support Focus
In this community of [City/Region], we recognize [Name] as an Ordained Marketplace Chaplain with a heart to serve employees, leaders, teams, and workplace communities—walking with them through stress, grief, pressure, conflict, and spiritual searching with the compassion and hope of Jesus Christ.

Leader (continue):

Today, we publicly commission [Name] for ministry as an Ordained Marketplace Chaplain, affirming training, character, and calling to serve with humility, steadiness, prayer, and Christ-centered care—under wise boundaries and in cooperation with pastors, leaders, employers, supervisors, and appropriate authorities.

2) Scripture (15–20 seconds)

Leader:

Hear the Word of God:

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men.”
(Colossians 3:23, WEB)

3) Recognition of Preparation (15 seconds)

Leader:

[Name] has completed a study-based preparation pathway for this chaplaincy calling. Now, as a local Christian community, we complete this process by publicly commissioning [him/her] with prayer and the laying on of hands.

4) Charge (20–25 seconds)

Leader (to Candidate):

[Name], you are being set apart to serve as an Ordained Marketplace Chaplain.

You are called to bring the presence of Christ into workplace and marketplace settings marked by pressure, stress, grief, uncertainty, relational strain, and deep need. Serve with courage, but not arrogance. Serve with tenderness, but not weakness. Serve with steadiness, humility, wisdom, and self-control.

Listen carefully. Pray faithfully. Speak truth gently.
Be a calm and trustworthy presence in places of work, a comfort to the burdened, and a faithful witness to the hope found in Jesus Christ.

5) Questions (20–30 seconds)

Leader:

Do you confess that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior and affirm the Holy Bible as the Word of God?
Candidate: I do, God helping me.

Do you believe that God has called you to serve as an Ordained Marketplace Chaplain?
Candidate: I do, God helping me.

Do you commit to serve individuals and workplace communities with compassion, dignity, integrity, appropriate confidentiality, and wise workplace boundaries?
Candidate: I do, God helping me.

Do you commit to walk in accountability, and if you depart from the Christian life and calling, will you notify the proper leaders and vacate this ordination?
Candidate: I do, God helping me.

6) Laying on of Hands & Prayer (45 seconds)

(Leader and/or elders place hands gently on the candidate.)

Leader:

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father,
we thank You for [Name] and for the calling You have placed upon [his/her] life.

As we lay hands upon [him/her] today, we do not create this calling, but we recognize it, bless it, and publicly affirm it before You and these witnesses.

Fill [Name] with Your Holy Spirit.
Root [him/her] deeply in Your Word.
Guard [his/her] life, doctrine, witness, and character.

Grant wisdom in workplace relationships,
peace in emotionally charged situations,
discernment in spiritual care,
and compassion for those carrying stress, grief, confusion, fear, and hidden pain.

Make [him/her] a calm presence in places of work,
a faithful servant among the burdened,
and a bearer of Christ’s comfort, truth, and hope.

Strengthen those who feel weary or overwhelmed.
Encourage those who are spiritually searching.
Bless employers, supervisors, pastors, caregivers, and ministry leaders laboring among workplace communities.
And let this ministry bring light, dignity, mercy, and gospel hope wherever You send [Name].

We commission and send [Name] now,
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

7) Final Declaration & Blessing (10–15 seconds)

Leader:

By prayer and the laying on of hands, we publicly commission you, [Name], as an Ordained Marketplace Chaplain—locally affirmed and prayerfully sent to serve Jesus Christ among individuals and workplace communities in marketplace settings.

Go in the strength, peace, wisdom, and protection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.