3-Minute Local Ordination & Commissioning Ceremony

Country Club 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

Leader:

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

We are here because ordination is always local. It is lived out in real places, among real people, with prayer and witnesses. A study-based ordination pathway has been completed, and this local and public commissioning completes the biblical pattern through prayer and the laying on of hands.

The Church is not only a building. The Church is God’s people gathered in Jesus’ name—sent into the world to bring presence, prayer, and hope.

Optional insert — choose one:

A — Local Church Partnership

In partnership with [Name of Church], we commission [Name] to serve as a Country Club Chaplain—bringing pastoral care, Scripture, prayer, and Christ-centered presence to members, staff, families, and guests within country club and private club settings.

B — Country Club / Private Club Context

In connection with [Name of Country Club / Golf Club / Private Club] in [City/Region], we recognize [Name] as a chaplain who will walk alongside members, staff, families, retirees, event guests, and community leaders—bringing Christ-centered care into moments of grief, loneliness, aging, illness, family strain, celebration, and spiritual searching.

C — Soul Center / Community Chaplaincy

As a Soul Center in [City/Region], we commission [Name] to serve as a Country Club Chaplain—offering presence, prayer, encouragement, hospitality, and spiritual care to those connected to country clubs, golf clubs, private clubs, and member-based communities with wisdom, discretion, and steady compassion.

D — Hospitality & Relational Ministry Focus

In this community of [City/Region], we recognize [Name] as a Country Club Chaplain with a heart for hospitality, relational care, and dignified spiritual encouragement—walking with people through friendship, grief, transition, retirement, family concerns, moral questions, and opportunities for Christ-centered hope.

Leader continues:

Today, we publicly commission [Name] for ministry as a Country Club Chaplain, affirming their training, character, and calling to serve with pastoral presence, prayer, hospitality, discretion, and Christ-centered care—under wise boundaries and appropriate club or community expectations.

2) Scripture

Leader:

Hear the Word of God:

“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.”
Psalm 34:18, WEB

3) Recognition of Preparation

Leader:

[Name] has completed chaplaincy preparation and has been recognized through a study-based ordination pathway. Now, as a local Christian community, we complete this process by commissioning [Name] publicly in prayer.

4) Charge

Leader to Candidate:

[Name], as a Country Club Chaplain, you are entrusted with bringing Christ’s presence into a world where many carry hidden grief, loneliness, family burdens, health concerns, aging transitions, business pressures, relational wounds, and spiritual hunger.

Serve with humility and courage. Listen deeply. Speak gently. Pray faithfully.

Be a steady presence in polished settings, a comfort in grief, a trustworthy listener in private burdens, and a clear witness to the hope of Jesus Christ—without pressure, intrusion, gossip, self-promotion, or compromising integrity.

5) Questions

Leader:

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

Do you believe God has called you to serve as a Country Club Chaplain?
Candidate: I do, God helping me.

Do you commit to serve members, staff, families, guests, and the wider community as appropriate with compassion, confidentiality, discretion, hospitality, and integrity?
Candidate: I do, God helping me.

Do you agree to walk in accountability—and if you stray from the Christian walk, will you notify appropriate leaders and vacate this ordination?
Candidate: I do, God helping me.

6) Laying on of Hands & Prayer

(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 their life.

As we lay hands upon them today, we recognize and bless what You have already begun.
Guide them by Your Word. Fill them with Your Spirit. Guard their life and witness.

Grant them wisdom in socially visible settings,
discernment in private conversations,
and compassion for those carrying grief, loneliness, illness, family strain, and spiritual searching.

Help them serve with steady boundaries, integrity, discretion, and courage—
bringing peace in conflict, comfort in sorrow, hope in transition, and truth with grace.

Bless the members who gather for friendship, recreation, conversation, and community.
Strengthen staff and leaders who serve with hospitality and excellence.
Comfort families facing loss, aging, illness, relational strain, or hidden burdens.
And use this ministry to bring light, dignity, and hope through Jesus Christ.

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

Leader:

By prayer and the laying on of hands, we publicly commission you, [Name], as a Country Club Chaplain—locally affirmed and prayerfully sent to serve Christ within country club, private club, and community settings.

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