At the heart of the Christian Reformed Church in the Philippines – Classis Metro Manila Central (CMMC), we believe that ordination is more than a formal requirement—it’s a sacred recognition of God’s calling in the life of a servant leader.
To help churches and candidates prepare for this milestone, we’ve created this guide for conducting a meaningful and well-organized Ordination Celebration Ceremony.
🎓 What CMMC and CRCP Provide
For each pastor approved for ordination, the following items will be officially provided:
- 📜 Certificate of Ordination — issued by the CRCP National Office
- 🧣 Ordination Stole — a symbolic garment given by CMMC, representing the “yoke” of Christ
- 📄 Sample Program Template — to help churches plan their celebration service
🛠️ How the Local Church Can Prepare
Churches organizing the ordination ceremony are encouraged to prepare the following:
🏛 Venue & Setup:
- Sanctuary or hall ready for a worship setting
- Designated seating for:
- Ordination candidate and family
- Classis officers and Synodical Deputies
- Church consistory and special guests
🖨 Printed Materials (Optional):
- Worship program
- Optional church-issued certificate
- Name tags (for team and clergy, if needed)
🎶 Worship Service Setup:
- Music team or instrumentalist
- Sound system and visual slides
- Communion elements (optional)
- Simple decorations (flowers, candles, etc.)
Here are two suggested Ordination Program Flows:
🔹 Option 1: Standalone Ordination Celebration Program
A separate, dedicated service for ordination
Ordination Service Program
- Prelude / Worship Music
- Opening Prayer & Welcome
- Praise and Worship
- Reading of the Letter of Call
- Testimony of the Candidate (optional but encouraged)
- Ordination Message / Exhortation
- Ordination Rite (focus on pastoral calling and ministry)
- Reading of Ordination Vows
- Candidate’s Affirmation
- Laying on of Hands
- Prayer of Dedication
- Presentation of Certificate and Stole
- Church Consistory’s Response & Commitment
- Charge to the Newly Ordained Pastor
- Testimony of the Candidate (optional)
- Final Blessing / Benediction
- Group Photo & Fellowship Meal (optional)
🔹 Option 2: Integrated Worship + Ordination Program
Ordination takes place within a regular Sunday worship service
Sunday Worship + Ordination Program
- Call to Worship
- Liturgy
- Congregational Singing / Special Music (optional)
- Scripture Reading
- Preaching of the Word
- Tithes & Offerings
- Sermon / Ordination Message (focus on pastoral calling and ministry)
- Ordination Ceremony Begins
- Ordination Message (focus on pastoral calling and ministry)
- Reading of Ordination Vows
- Candidate’s Affirmation
- Laying on of Hands
- Prayer of Dedication
- Presentation of Certificate and Stole
- Testimony of the Candidate (optional)
- Church Consistory’s Response & Pledge
- Charge to the Pastor
- Response Song / Hymn of Commitment
- Announcements & Acknowledgments
- Benediction
- Photo Opportunity & Fellowship (optional)
🌱 Optional Additions
- Slideshow or video tribute
- Family involvement (prayer or reading)
- Fellowship meal or reception
- Commemorative tokens
🙏 A Sacred Moment for the Whole Church
Ordination is not just a recognition of a candidate—it is a celebration of God’s faithfulness to His Church. Let’s honor it with joy, reverence, and readiness to support our new pastors in their calling.
If your church is preparing to host an ordination, feel free to reach out to the CMMC Secretariat for support or materials:
📞 0995-015-8555
📧 registrar@blesscrcp.com