Liturgical position

The retirement of a minister takes place following the celebration of Holy Com­munion.

If several acts are planned, they are to be performed in the following order:

• 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 retirement of a minister is usually performed by the Apostle or a minister in a priestly ministry designated by the Apostle.

Act

The officiating minister expresses thanks to the minister in question in front of the altar for his or her service and commitment.

The officiant then shakes the minister’s hand and releases him or her from his or her ministerial mandate. In the process, the officiant points out that the minis­terial authority remains intact.

“(By commission of the Apostle,) I hereby release you from your ministerial mandate. The ministerial authority you have received will remain intact.”