Liturgical position

An assignment is the allocation of a service in support of a leading minister. Assignments take 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

Assignments are performed by a member of the apostolate or a priestly minister designated by him or her for this purpose.

Address

The following content is recommended.

Bishop

• The Bishop is the assistant to the Apostle and his or her closest associate, who supports him or her in pastoral care and teaching activities.
• The Bishop may support ministers who have been entrusted with the leadership of districts and congregations, as necessary.
• Members and ministers who need special attention are to receive sensitive pastoral care from the Bishop.

Delegate of the district rector

• The delegate of the district rector is the latter’s assistant, and supports him or her in pastoral care and teaching activities.
• If necessary, he or she supports the ministers responsible for the leadership of congregations.
• Members and ministers who need special attention are to receive sensitive pastoral care from the delegate of the district rector.

Delegate of the congregational rector

• The delegate of the congregational rector is the latter’s assistant, and supports him or her in pastoral care and teaching activities.
• If necessary, he or she supports the ministers in the congregation in their ministerial activities.
• Members and ministers who need special attention are to receive sensitive pastoral care from the delegate of the congregational rector.

Vow

The congregation is asked to rise. The minister to be assigned is then asked a question to the following effect:

“(By commission of the Apostle,) I now ask you before God and the congregation: Are you prepared to support your Apostle/district rector/congregational rector in his or her leadership function in (working area), in faithfulness to God, in oneness with the apos­tolate, and in accordance with the regulations of the Church? Then vow this with a clear yes.”

Prayer (with epiclesis^[36])

This prayer can include the following:

• the plea for God’s blessing upon this vow
• the plea for strength and the ability to keep this vow and fulfil the duties associated with this assignment
• the plea to God the Holy Spirit to help the assigned ministers in this assignment

Act

The assignment is performed standing in front of the altar. The officiating minis­ter shakes the hand of the minister to be assigned and speaks the following words:

“I hereby assign you as a (function: Bishop/delegate of the district rector/delegate of the congregational rector). May the triune God bless and strengthen you such that you are able to fulfil all the duties associated with this assignment.”

• Thereafter all the duties associated with the respective assign­ ment are listed.
• Further blessings can be added in conclusion.