Consecrating Leaders
by Tom Faggart
Lay people, like clergy, need credentials and power to fulfill their calling. As a bishop laid hands on clergy to give them the authority they need, so should a local priest fulfill the same responsibility for the laity. Take this opportunity seriously and a new level of commitment will immediately show itself among your leaders, and followers. Laity feel the responsibility of working in the church just as the clergy.
Consecrate your leadership at the beginning of the year with a special service. "This service will be a Spiritual Experience. Lay hands on each leader separately and consecrate them to serve. The "laying on of hands" is the way the church has historically transferred authority and given responsibility. The last thirty years of my ministry I did this on the first Sunday of the new year. When I had other clergy in the church I would ask them to help. Some of the most meaningful services I ever had were at Duke Memorial in Durham, NC. I had five Duke Divinity School Professors in the church, plus several professors from the School of Religion. I always invited them plus the retired clergy to help. We would have a half dozen lines of leaders making their way to the altar for the "laying on of hands" and passing to them the authority of their task in the church. The quiet awe, and weepy eyes showed how seriously this event was taken. Following is the Office I wrote for this occasion.
AN OFFICE FOR CONSECRATION OF STEWARDS THE CHURCH
Dearly Beloved, you have been called of God, and chosen by this congregation, to assume special responsibilities in the administration of this church. Your duties include many tasks needful for its welfare and for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. In addition, all of you share in the duty of counseling with your minister and of assisting him/her in the leadership of the spiritual and temporal life of the church. Above all, it is your duty, as much as in you lies, to be a positive example in your devotional life, worship attendance, financial support, and general service in the body politic of this congregation. Having heard the Gospel that you are indeed called into ministry within the Kingdom of God, and that such service is a privilege, as well as a responsibility; will each of you accept this opportunity and seek to accomplish the possibilities that lie before us?
I WILL, THE LORD BEING MY HELPER.
Let us pray. O Lord our God, who art the only founder and keeper of thy church, we thank thee that thou hast called thy servants to share in the work of thy kingdom. Grant them grace to give themselves wholly to this their task and service. Grant them sincerity and singleness of mind. Hold ever before them the example of their Lord, who pleased not himself, but gave himself up for us all, that, sharing his ministry and consecration, they enter into his joy,. Guide them in their work for thy church. Prosper their counsels and their labors. Reward their fidelity with knowledge that thou art using them for the accomplishment of thy purpose in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let the officers of the church kneel to be consecrated.
At this point the minister lays hands upon each one individually saying: I consecrate you a Steward in the United Methodist Church, in the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
After the Laying on of hands the officers, congregation and minister reads the Litany:
A LITANY FOR CONSECRATING MEMBERS OF ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD
Because the Church exists as the physical Body of Christ and is responsible for teaching the Word of God as contained in the Old and New Testaments
WE TAKE SERIOUSLY OUR RESPONSIBILITY OF SERVING AS STEWARDS IN HIS CHURCH
Because the Church exists to celebrate the actions of Christ in His Ministry through the Sacraments of Holy Baptism, and Holy Communion.
WE TAKE SERIOUSLY OUR RESPONSIBILITY OF SERVING AS STEWARDS IN HIS CHURCH.
Because the Church exists for the preaching of the Gospel and calling all people to repentance, and nurturing them in the faith.
WE TAKE SERIOUSLY OUR RESPONSIBILITY OF SERVING AS STEWARDS IN HIS CHURCH.
What we are about this day is serious business. Our being responsible to God's calling will determine the level of spiritual growth our membership experiences in the coming year. It could make a strong difference in the quality of life we enjoy as citizens of _______ County, and the city of _________.
We, therefore, organize ourselves to seek the Grace of God in carrying out our responsibilities and by that Spirit we will implement the program of this church seeking His will above our own.
O Holy God, we thank thee this day for these who have been named by their fellows and called by you to give leadership in directing the temporal life of this congregation for ____. May they help in strengthening the spiritual life of _______________ Church. Mold the laity, clergy and staff of this congregation into a unit of ministry that is invincible to evil, and unfailing in good. To this end we all commit ourselves. In the name of Jesus the Christ, we pray. Amen.