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Act of Induction
Introduction
You, the members of Hertford Baptist Church have called Steve Fenton to be your lead pastor, and believing this call to be of God, he has accepted, and comes now to be inducted into this office. At this significant time in the life of both church and minister I invite you all to renew your commitment to Christ and this Church, as together you share in God’s mission of saving love to the world.
First we shall hear how God has led both church and minister to issue and accept this call.
Telling the Story
Confessing faith and promising faithfulness: The Minister
All Christians are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ and to follow in his way. Steve, as a Christian minister, you are first a disciple of Christ, and so I ask you to affirm afresh your faith and trust in God, a faith which you have already confessed in baptism. Do you believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and do you confess Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord?
I do
Steve, you have been called to be the lead pastor of this church and congregation. Do you accept the charge from Christ to care for his people with all diligence and compassion? Will you care for the weak, bring Christ’s healing to the broken-hearted, lift up the downcast, and pray regularly for those committed to your care?
Relying on God’s help, I will
Will you “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ”? Will you lead and enable God’s people in their mission to the world, seeking God’s kingdom, proclaiming the gospel in word and deed and seeking to make Christ known in every way?
God being my helper, I will
Will you “make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”? By your example, will you lead this church in all godly living and devotion to Christ through prayer and reading of scripture? Will you be faithful in the leading of worship, in presiding at the table of the Lord and in preaching the word of God?
In the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit, I will
Confessing faith and promising faithfulness: The Church
Do you believe you have been called by God to work together humbly and willingly in serving this church and community?
We do
Do you promise to honour and respect one another, “doing nothing from vain conceit, but in humility regarding others as better than yourselves”, and do you promise to work with the members of this church in its calling to seek the kingdom of God?
We will
If you are a regular attendee at this church, could you please stand.
My sisters and brothers, a new chapter in the life of this church is opened today. I invite you now to renew your commitment to Christ and this church. Do you believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and do you confess Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord?
We do
Do you accept and welcome Steve as your lead pastor, and do you promise to honour and support Steve and Val with your love and prayers, working together with them in your shared calling to witness to Christ in this place?
We do
Paul, the apostle, says “You were bought with a price”. Will you serve Jesus Christ as Lord, bearing witness to him and daily taking up your cross to follow him?
We will
Would the whole congregation please stand.
As representatives of the wider church and community, will you offer your support at this new beginning in the life of church and minister, and will you join in praying for them all?
We will
Return to the main Induction page here . . .
