Here is the Reentry and Restoration Chaplain version:

3-Minute Local Ordination & Commissioning Ceremony

Ordained Reentry and Restoration 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 as a local expression of the Church of Jesus Christ at [Name of place—church / home / reentry ministry / recovery setting / Soul Center / community setting] 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, restoration, presence, and hope.

Optional insert — choose one:

A — Local Church Partnership
In partnership with [Name of Church], we commission [Name] as an Ordained Reentry and Restoration Chaplain—to bring Christ-centered care, prayer, Scripture, encouragement, and compassionate presence to people rebuilding their lives, restoring relationships, and seeking hope in Christ.

B — Reentry Ministry Context
In connection with [Name of reentry ministry / recovery ministry / outreach / community organization / service setting], we recognize [Name] as a chaplain who will walk alongside people in seasons of return, rebuilding, recovery, grief, transition, accountability, and restoration—bringing the steady care of Christ into real-life conversations and community relationships.

C — Soul Center / Restoration Chaplaincy
As a Soul Center in [City/Region], we commission [Name] as an Ordained Reentry and Restoration Chaplain—to offer prayer, encouragement, spiritual care, calm presence, and gospel hope through approved local ministry settings, restoration relationships, and practical chaplaincy service.

D — Community Restoration Focus
In this community of [City/Region], we recognize [Name] as an Ordained Reentry and Restoration Chaplain with a heart to serve people rebuilding life after incarceration, addiction, broken relationships, hardship, grief, unemployment, or major life disruption—walking with them in the compassion and hope of Jesus Christ.

Leader continues:

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

2) Scripture

Leader:

Hear the Word of God:

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17, WEB

3) Recognition of Preparation

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

Leader to Candidate:

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

You are called to bring the presence of Christ into places where people are rebuilding their lives, seeking restoration, facing consequences, healing from wounds, reconnecting with family, pursuing recovery, and taking faithful next steps.

Serve with courage, but not arrogance. Serve with compassion, but not enabling. Serve with patience, but not passivity. Serve with steadiness, humility, wisdom, accountability, and self-control.

Listen carefully. Pray faithfully. Speak truth gently. Honor dignity. Respect boundaries. Refer wisely when needs move beyond your role.

Be a calm and trustworthy presence, a comfort to the burdened, an encourager to those seeking a new beginning, and a faithful witness to the hope found in Jesus Christ.

5) Questions

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 Reentry and Restoration Chaplain?
Candidate: I do, God helping me.

Do you commit to serve people, families, churches, recovery ministries, reentry settings, Soul Centers, outreach efforts, and community relationships with compassion, dignity, integrity, appropriate confidentiality, wise boundaries, and referral awareness?
Candidate: I do, God helping me.

Do you commit to encourage restoration without replacing pastors, counselors, treatment providers, legal authorities, social services, or emergency responders?
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

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 difficult conversations,
peace in emotionally charged situations,
discernment in spiritual care,
and compassion for those carrying shame, grief, loneliness, fear, addiction, family wounds, incarceration history, hardship, and hidden pain.

Make [him/her] a calm presence in restoration settings,
a faithful servant among those rebuilding their lives,
and a bearer of Christ’s comfort, truth, mercy, and hope.

Strengthen those who are seeking a new beginning.
Encourage families longing for healing.
Bless churches, Soul Centers, recovery ministries, reentry programs, volunteers, mentors, and community servants laboring for restoration.

Let this ministry bring light, dignity, accountability, 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

Leader:

By prayer and the laying on of hands, we publicly commission you, [Name], as an Ordained Reentry and Restoration Chaplain—locally affirmed and prayerfully sent to serve Jesus Christ among people, families, churches, recovery ministries, reentry settings, Soul Centers, outreach efforts, and community relationships.

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

Amen.