3.14.1 Termination of an appointment or assignment

3.4.1.1 Procedure

The minister can, at any time, ask to be relieved of his or her appointment or assignment. If the Apostle decides to terminate an appointment or assignment, he or she or another minister specifically selected for this purpose informs the minister in question of the reasons for this decision. The date of the termination should be decided in consultation with the minister in question. This also applies if a time limit has been established right from the start of the appointment or assignment. The congregation or the district should be informed of the termination of the appointment or assignment in a timely manner.

3.14.1.2 Liturgical  position in the divine service

The termination of an appointment or an assignment 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

3.14.1.3 Execution

The termination of an appointment is performed by the Apostle or by a priestly minister designated by him or her.

Act

In front of the altar, the officiating minister expresses thanks to the minister in question for his or her service and commitment. Thereafter the officiant shakes his or her hand and releases him or her from the appointment or assignment with words to the following effect:

“[By commission of the Apostle,] I hereby release you from your appointment/assignment as a (designation) in the (working area of …).”

3.14.2 Termination of an assignment in the divine service

3.14.2.1 Liturgical position in the divine service

The termination of an assignment can take place either during or after the divine service, either in the presence of the congregation or the circle of those whom the person was assigned to serve.

If the termination of the assignment takes place during a divine service, it will be performed following the celebration of Holy Communion. If several acts are planned, they are 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

3.14.2.2 Execution

The termination of an assignment is performed by the Apostle or a priestly minister designated by him or her.

Act

The officiating minister expresses thanks to the person in question for his or her service and commitment. He or she then shakes the person’s hand and terminates the assignment with words to the following effect:

“[By commission of the Apostle,] I hereby release you from your assignment as a (designation).”