Liturgical position

If ministers move to another working area, they must be reinstated in their ministry in this new area.

With respect to liturgy, the reinstatement takes place following the celebration of Holy Communion. If several acts are planned, they are to be performed in the following sequence:

• retirement, termination of an appointment or assignment bound to a ministry
• ordination, appointment, assignment, reinstatement
• termination of, or assignment to, a service that is not bound to a ministry
• engagement blessing, wedding blessing, wedding anniversary blessing

Execution

The reinstatement of a minister in a priestly or diaconal ministry is usually per­formed by the district rector.

Act

The reinstatement is performed while the minister stands before the altar. The officiating minister shakes the hand of the minister being reinstated and speaks the following words:

“(By commission of the Apostle), I hereby reinstate you to your ministerial mandate (in the district/in the congregation of …) as a (ministerial designation). May God also strengthen and accompany you in the future in your new working area.”