3.13.1 Assignment of ministers

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

3.13.1.1 Procedure

When preparing ministers for assignments, the same kinds of regulations apply as to the preparation for ordination.^[17]

It is recommended that the planned assignment of ministers be announced in advance.

3.13.1.2 Sequence and recommended wording

3.13.1.2.1 Liturgical position in the divine service

Assignments take place 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

3.13.1.2.2 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 your yes!”

Prayer (with epiclesis^[18])

The 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.

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 assignment are listed.
• Further blessings can be added in conclusion.

3.13.2 Assignment to services that are not bound to a spiritual ministry

Members or ministers who are to serve over a longer period on either a district or congregational level, as the primarily responsible teacher—be it in Pre-Sunday School, Sunday School, Religious Instruction, or Confirmation Instruction—or as the primarily responsible youth leader will be assigned to these services.^[19]

3.13.2.1 Procedure

The minister responsible for the assignment is to discuss the scope and expectations of the spiritual service in question with the members who have been selected to perform it.

3.13.2.2 Sequence and recommended wording

3.13.2.2.1 Liturgical position in the divine service

The assignment of members or ministers to a duty that is not bound to a ministry can take place either during or following the divine service, in the presence of the congregation, or in the circle of those whom the assigned individual is to serve.

If it takes place during the divine service, it is 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

3.13.2.2.2 Execution

The assignment is performed by the responsible priestly minister.

Address

Among other things, the following content is recommended:

Teachers^[20]

• The teacher has the task of supporting parents in their responsibility of raising their children in the New Apostolic faith.
• This support is provided by instructing the children using the teaching material provided by the Church.
• The teacher is to support the children in developing their own personal faith. This includes emphasising the value of prayer and the divine services and of encouraging them to acquaint themselves with the content of the New Apostolic faith.
• The teacher acts in consultation with, and by mandate of, the district rector or congregational rector.

Youth leaders^[21]

• The youth leader is the personal contact who is to support the young people in their various situations of life and questions of faith.
• He or she encourages the young members to engage their gifts and abilities in the many diverse areas of activity within the congregation, to practise their faith, and to profess and advocate it in their surroundings.
• The youth leader acts in consultation with, and by mandate of, the district rector or congregational rector.

Vow

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

“I now ask you before God and the congregation: Are you prepared to henceforth assist your district rector/congregational rector in humbleness and faithfulness to provide pastoral care to the children/young people? Are you prepared to serve the children/young people entrusted to your care in the love of Jesus Christ? Then vow this to God with your yes!”

Prayer

The prayer can include the following:

• the plea for God’s blessing upon this vow. 
• the plea for strength and the ability to fulfil the associated duties.
• the plea to God to support the assigned individual.

Act

The assignment is performed while standing in front of the altar. The officiating minister shakes the hand of the designated teacher or youth leader and assigns him or her with the following words:

“I hereby assign you as a (designation: teacher or youth leader). May the triune God bless and strengthen you so that you are able to fulfil all the tasks associated with this assignment.”

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