By Robin G. Jordan
In this two article series I offer an alternative to the new ACNA Ordinal—a conservative modern language revision of the classical Anglican Ordinal annexed to The Book of Common Prayer of 1662. This article, the second in the series, contains the Form of Ordering Presbyters and the Form of Consecrating Bishops. The General Notes, the Preface, and the Form of Making of Deacons may be found in the first article.
Among the most important of the significant changes that the classical Anglican Ordinal makes in the ordination rite is the redefinition of the function of the priest. This redefinition of the priest’s function is implied by the solemn address to those about to be ordained and by the giving of the Bible to the new priest. All sacerdotal language is removed from the ordination rite. So are all the ceremonies and ornaments that suggested a priest is one whose chief function is to offer the sacrifice of the Mass for the living and the dead, or in the words of the Book of Common Prayer 2011 “to make visible Jesus Christ the High Priest, making intercession and offerings on our behalf.” They include giving the new priest a chalice and bread, vesting the new priest in a stole and a chasuble, and anointing the new priest’s hands with oil of chrism. “The Anglican priest is a presbyter, not a sacrificing priest,” D. E. W. Harrison and Michael C. Sansom draw to our attention in Worship in the Church of England. They go on to say:
All the emphasis in the solemn address falls on the pastoral and prophetic aspects of the work of ministry. The space given to this address, itself a new element in the service, is due to the anxiety of the Reformers to make clear the sense in which they understood the function of the priesthood. But their primary intention is made clear by the language of the ordination prayer itself. The bishop prays that those to be ordained may be endued with the grace for ‘the same office and ministry appointed for the salvation of mankind’, which our Lord instituted by sending into the world his apostles, prophets, evangelists, doctors, and pastors.
The Anglican Church, they stress, “ordains to the ministry of the Church of God, and goes back to the New Testament for the understanding of its nature.”
The English Reformers did not find in Scripture a binding pattern of church order. They understood that the gospel establishes and creates the church, not a particular form of church government. They did not align themselves with the error of the Roman Catholic Church, as would the nineteenth century Tractarians and Ritualists. Apostolic succession came from faithfulness to the teaching of the apostles, not an unbroken succession of bishops. John Jewel, Bishop of Salisbury, and author of An Apology for the Church of England, put it this way, “Succession, you say, is the chief way, for any Christian man to avoid antichrist. I grant you, if you mean the succession of doctrine.” Jewel’s Apology, published in 1562, would serve the reformed Church of England as a confession of faith until the adoption of the Thirty-Nine Articles in 1571.
Like the Examination, Exhortation, and Prayers in the Form of Ordering Priests in the classical Anglican Ordinal, the Examination, Exhortation, and Prayers in the Form of Consecrating Bishops emphasizes that the chief function of a bishop is the ministry of God’s Word. For this reason the classical Anglican Ordinal does away with such ceremonies and ornaments as giving a pastoral staff to the new bishop, giving a pectoral cross, ring, and miter to him, and anointing his head with the oil of chrism. Instead the new bishop is given a Bible as the symbol of his new office. He is to pass on the teaching of the apostles as it is set down in the Bible, guarding the good deposit that is entrusted to him. Only the bishop who is faithful in carrying out this task is truly a successor to the apostles.
THE ORDINATION OF PRESBYTERS (COMMONLY KNOWN AS PRIESTS)
On the day appointed by the bishop there shall be a sermon or exhortation on the duties and character of presbyters, the necessity of this office in Christ’s Church, and how the people ought to esteem those who hold the office.
THE PRESENTATION
When the sermon is ended, the minister duly appointed to do so presents to the bishop sitting in his chair near the Holy Table those who are to be ordained presbyters, saying
Reverend father in God, I present to you these persons to be ordained to the office of presbyter.
The bishop says
Take care that the persons you present, by their learning and godly way of life, are suitable to exercise their ministry to the honor of God and the building up of his church.
The minister
I have enquired concerning them; and I have examined them [or and they have been examined.] I believe them fit for this office.
The bishop addresses the people
Good people, we purpose, God willing, to receive today these persons into the holy office of the presbyterate; for after examination I find that they are lawfully called to this function and ministry, and they are persons fit for this office. But if any of you knows any impediment or crime worthy of note in any of these persons, for which he should not be received into this holy ministry, come forward in the name of God and reveal what the crime or impediment is.
If any great crime or impediment is alleged against a candidate, the bishop shall postpone that candidate's ordination until he has satisfied himself that the allegation is without substance or may be properly disregarded.
THE PRAYERS
The bishop then commends the candidates to the prayers of the people and silence is kept. The Litany is sung or said, as is appointed in the Form of Ordering Deacons, save only that the proper Suffrage is said in this form.
Bless your servants now to be ordained to the ministry of presbyter; and to pour your grace upon them, that they may fulfil their ministry for the building up of your Church and the glory of your holy name.
Hear us, good Lord.
Then shall be sung or said the service for the Holy Communion with the Collect as follows.
Almighty God, giver of all good things, by your Holy Spirit you have appointed various orders of ministry in your church. Look in mercy on these your servants now called to the office of presbyter; so fill them with the truth of your doctrine and clothe them with holiness of life, that by word and good example they may faithfully serve you in this office to the glory of your name and for the building up of your church; through the merits of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. AMEN.
THE READINGS
The Readings are selected from those printed below.
The Old Testament Reading: Genesis 14:18-20; Numbers 11:16-17,24-25; Isaiah 6:1-8; Isaiah 61:1-3a; Jeremiah 1:4-9; or Malachi 2:5-7
The Psalm: 23; 84:1-7; 96:1-5; 96:6-13; 100; or 117
The Epistle: Acts 10:36-43; Acts 20:28-35; Romans 10:9-15; Romans 12:4-12; 2 Corinthians 4:1-2,5-7; 2 Corinthians 5:14-20; Ephesians 3:7-13; Ephesians 4:7-13; or 1 Peter 4:7b-ll
The Gospel: Matthew 9.36-38; Matthew 20:25-28; Matthew 28: 18-20; Mark 10:35-45; Luke 10:1-9; Luke 12:25-40; Luke 22: 14-[20,24-]30; John 10:1-16; John 12:24-26; John 15: 9-17 [or 15b-20]; or John 20:19-23
THE EXAMINATION
After the Gospel the bishop, sitting in his chair, says to the candidates
You have heard, brothers, beforehand in your private examination and now in the sermon and Scripture readings, the high dignity and great important of the office to which you are called. And now again we exhort you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to be ever mindful of the dignity and importance of this office and responsibility that is to be yours. You are called to be messengers, watchmen and stewards of the Lord. You are to teach and to warn; to feed and to nurture the Lord's family; and to seek for Christ's scattered sheep and children in the midst of this disobedient world so that they may be saved through Christ for all eternity.
Remember always just how great a treasure is committed to your charge. They are Christ’s sheep. He purchased them with his death and shed his blood for them. The church and congregation whom you must serve is his bride and his body. If the church or any of its members is hurt or hindered as a result of your negligence, you know the greatness of the fault and the judgment that will follow. Therefore remember what God has called you to do. See that you never cease your labor, your care, and diligence until you have done all that you possibly can, according to your duty, to bring all those who are committed to your care, to that understanding in faith and knowledge of God and to that maturity in Christ, which leaves no place among you for error in doctrine or wrong conduct in life.
Since your office and ministry is both of such great excellence and such great difficulty, you can see how much care and study you need, to show yourself dutiful and thankful to the Lord, who has entrusted you with so great a dignity and so great a responsibility. Take care therefore that you do not offend or cause others to offend. You cannot have such a mind and will by yourselves, for only God can give you that will and ability. You should therefore pray earnestly for his Holy Spirit. And because you cannot perform the difficult task of leading men and women to salvation without the doctrine and guidance of the Holy Scriptures, you should read and study them well, shaping your life and the lives of those for whom you are responsible, according their teaching. And for the same reason, you should put away, as much as possible, all worldly preoccupations and pursuits.
We have good reason to believe that you have given careful consideration to all these matters and that you are clearly determined by God's grace to give yourself wholeheartedly to this office and ministry to which God has been pleased to call you: so that as much as you can, you will devote yourself completely to this one thing; and that you will continually pray to God the Father, by the mediation of our only Savior Jesus Christ, for the heavenly assistance of the Holy Spirit, that through daily reading and meditation on the Scriptures, you will grow in your ministry; and that you may so strive to sanctify the lives of you and yours and shape them according to the rule and teaching of Christ, that you may be godly examples and patterns for the people to follow.
And now, in order that the congregation of Christ's people gathered here may be assured of your intentions to do these things, and in order that your public profession may strengthen your resolve to do your duties, you shall plainly answer these questions which I, in the name of God and his church, now put to you.
Do you believe that you are truly called, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ and the order of this Church, to the order and ministry of presbyter?
Answer I do.
The bishop
Are you persuaded that the holy Scriptures contain all doctrine that is necessary for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ? And are you determined to teach the people committed to your care from those Scriptures, and to teach nothing (as required of necessity for eternal salvation) except that which you are persuaded may be proved by the Scriptures?
Answer I am persuaded, and will do so, by God's grace.
The bishop
Will you faithfully minister the doctrine and sacraments, and the discipline of Christ, as the Lord has commanded, and as this Church has received them, according to the commandments of God? And will you teach the people committed to your care to keep and observe them diligently?
Answer I will do so, by the help of the Lord.
The bishop
Will you be ready to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines that are contrary to God's Word; and to this end will you both publicly and privately warn and encourage all within your care, both the sick and the well, as need requires, and occasion is given?
Answer I will, the Lord being my helper.
The bishop
Will you be diligent in prayer, in the reading of the holy Scriptures, and in those studies that help you to a fuller knowledge of them, and lay aside all pursuits unworthy of your calling as a minister of the Gospel?
Answer I will do so, the Lord being my helper.
The bishop
Will you strive to shape your own lives, and the lives of your families, according to the teaching of Christ; and to make both yourselves and them, as much as you can, good examples to the flock of Christ?
Answer I will, the Lord being my helper.
The bishop
Will you maintain and promote, to the best of your ability, quietness, peace and love among all Christian people, but especially among those are or will be committed to your care?
Answer I will, with the Lord being my helper.
The bishop
Will you reverently obey your Ordinary, and other chief ministers set over you in the church, gladly and willingly following their godly admonitions, and submitting yourself to their godly judgments?
Answer I will, with the Lord being my helper.
The bishop stands and says
Almighty God, who has given you the will to do all these things, grant you strength and power to perform them so that he may complete the work which he has begun in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
A short period of silence is kept during which the congregation is asked to pray silently for those to be ordained that they may perform faithfully what they have promised.
THE ORDINATION
The candidates kneel, and the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus, (or a similar hymn to the Holy Spirit) is said or sung.
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
and lighten with celestial fire;
thou the anointing Spirit art,
who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.
Thy blessed unction from above
is comfort, life, and fire of love;
enable with perpetual light
the dullness of our blinded sight.
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
with the abundance of thy grace;
keep far our foes, give peace at home
where thou art guide no ill can come.
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
and thee, of both, to be but One;
that through the ages all along
this may be our endless song:
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Then the bishop says
Let us pray.
Almighty God and heavenly Father, by your infinite love and goodness you have given us your only and most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ to be our redeemer and the author of everlasting life. After he had secured our redemption by his death, he ascended into heaven and sent into the world his apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers and pastors, by whose ministry he gathered a great flock in all parts of the world to proclaim the praise of your holy name.
For these great benefits, and because you have called these your servants to the same office and ministry appointed for the salvation of mankind, we give you heartfelt thanks; we praise and worship you; and we humbly implore you, by your blessed Son, to grant that we and all who call upon your name may be continually thankful for these and all your benefits; and that we may daily increase and advance in the knowledge and faith of you and your Son, by the Holy Spirit. So that through these yourministers and those whom they serve, your holy name may be for ever glorified and your blessed kingdom enlarged; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.
The bishops and other ministers present lay their hands on the head of each candidate, kneeling, and the bishop says
[N,] Receive the Holy Spirit [for the office and work of a presbyter in the Church of God, now committed to you by the laying on of our hands.] Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; whose sins you retain, they are retained. And be a faithful dispenser of the word of God, and of his holy sacraments; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
or
[N] Take authority to execute the office of presbyter in the church of God, now committed to you by the laying on of our hands. And be a faithful dispenser of the word of God, and of his holy sacraments; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
THE GIVING OF THE BIBLE
The bishop, giving to each candidate a Bible, says
Take authority to preach the word of God, and to minister the holy sacraments in the congregation to which you shall be lawfully appointed.
THE COMMUNION
After this, the Nicene Creed is said or sung; and the bishop proceeds with the service of Holy Communion, and those who have been ordained receive the communion together.
After Post-Communion Collects and before the Blessing the following Collects are said.
Most merciful Father, we ask you to send upon these your servants your heavenly blessing; that they be clothed with righteousness and your word spoken by them may have success, that it may be never spoken in vain. Grant also that we may have grace to hear and receive the proclamation of your holy Word and that in all our words and deeds we may seek your glory and the increase of your kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Go before us, O Lord, with your most gracious favor and further us with your continual help so that in all our works, begun, continued and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name and at the end by your mercy obtain eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
The bishop pronounces this Blessing.
The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and mind in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. AMEN.
If on the same day some are to be made deacons and others to be ordained presbyters, the deacons shall be presented first and then the presbyters. It is sufficient that the Litany be said once for both. The following Collect shall be used.
Almighty God, giver of all good things, by your Holy Spirit you have appointed various orders of ministry in your church. Look in mercy on these your servants now called to the office of deacons and of presbyters; so fill them with the truth of your doctrine and clothe them with holiness of life, that by word and good example they may faithfully serve you in this office to the glory of your name and for the building up of your church; through the merits of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. AMEN.
Immediately after the Epistle the candidates for the diaconate shall be examined and ordained, as prescribed above.
One of the newly ordained deacons shall read the Gospel.
Then those who are to be ordained presbyters shall likewise be examined and ordained.
After the Post-Communion Prayer(s) and immediately before the Blessing the Collects ‘Almighty God, giver of all good things…’, ‘Most merciful Father, we ask…’, and ‘Go before us, O Lord…’ are said.
THE CONSECRATION OF AN ARCHBISHOP OR BISHOP
After Morning Prayer is ended, the archbishop (or some other bishop appointed), begins the service of Holy Communion with the collect as follows
Almighty God, by your Son Jesus Christ you gave to your apostles many excellent gifts and commanded them to feed your flock. Give grace, we pray, to all bishops, the pastors of your church, that they may diligently preach your Word and rightly teach your people from the same; and grant that your people may obediently follow your Word so that all may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
THE READINGS
The readings are selected from those listed below, and are read by at least two bishops.
The Old Testament Reading: Genesis 14:18-20; Isaiah 52:7-10; or Isaiah 61:1-30
The Psalm: 23, 84:1-7; 96:1-5; Ps. 96:6-13; 100; or 117
The Epistle: Acts 20.17-35; 2 Corinthians 4:1-2,5,7; 2 Corinthians 5:14-20; Ephesians 4:1-13; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 Peter 4:7b-11;or 1 Peter 5:1-4
The Gospel: Matthew 10:1-7; Matthew 28.18-20; Luke 22:14-[20,24-]30; John 10:11-16; Jon 15:9-17 [or15b-20]; John 20.19-23; or John 21.15-17
THE PRESENTATION
After the Nicene Creed and the sermon, the bishop-elect wearing his rochet is presented by two other bishops to the archbishop of the province (or some other bishop appointed by his commission) who is seated in his chair near the holy table. These bishops say
Most reverend father in God, we present to you this godly and learned man to be ordained and consecrated bishop.
The authority for the consecration shall be read, and the bishop elect shall take this oath of conformity to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Anglican Church in North America.
In the name of God. Amen. I N., chosen bishop of the Anglican Church in North America in the diocese of N. do promise conformity and obedience to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Anglican Church in North America: So help me God, through Jesus Christ.
THE PRAYERS
Then the archbishop says
Brothers and sisters, it is written in the Gospel of Luke that our Savior Christ spent a whole night in prayer before he chose and sent out his twelve apostles. It is written also in the Acts of Acts that the disciples who were at Antioch fasted and prayed before they laid hands on Paul and Barnabas and sent them out. Let us therefore, following the example of our Savior Christ and His apostles, give ourselves to prayer before we admit and send out this person presented to us to the work to which we trust the Holy Spirit has called him.
The Litany is sung or said, as is appointed in the Form of Ordering Deacons, save only that the proper Suffrage is said in this form.
Bless this our brother elected to the office of bishop (or archbishop); and pour your grace upon him that he may fulfil his ministry for the building up of your church and the glory of your holy name.
Hear us, good Lord.
The archbishop says this Prayer.
Almighty God, giver of all good things, by your Holy Spirit you have appointed various orders of ministry in your church. Look in mercy on this your servant now called to the work and ministry of a bishop. Fill him with the truth of your word and clothe him with holiness of life so that, both by word and deed, he may faithfully serve you in this office, to the glory of your name, and the building up and well-governing of your church; through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. AMEN.
THE EXAMINATION
The archbishop, sitting in his chair, says to the bishop-elect
Brother, the holy Scripture and ancient canons command that we should not to be hasty in laying on hands, and admitting anyone to government in the church of Christ, which he has purchased at no less price than the shedding of his blood. Therefore, before I admit you to this ministry, I must examine you in certain matters so that the congregation present may hear how you intend to conduct yourself in the Church of God.
Are you persuaded that you are truly called to this ministry, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the order of this Church?
Answer I am.
The archbishop
Are you persuaded that the holy Scriptures contain all doctrine that is necessary for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ? And are you determined to instruct the people committed to your care from those holy Scriptures, and to teach or maintain nothing (as required of necessity for eternal salvation) except that which you are persuaded may be proved by the Scriptures?
Answer I am persuaded and determined, by God's grace.
The archbishop
Will you faithfully study the holy Scriptures and call on God in prayer for the true understanding of them, so that you will be able by them to teach and exhort with wholesome doctrine, and withstand and convince those who deny and contradict them?
Answer I will do so, with the Lord's help.
The archbishop
Are you ready to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines that are contrary to God's Word; and both privately and publicly call upon and encourage others to do likewise?
Answer I will ready, the Lord being my helper.
The archbishop
Will you deny all ungodliness and worldly desires, and live moderately, righteously and in a godly manner, in this present world; that you may show yourself in all things an example of good works to others, that the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing to say against you?
Answer I will do so, the Lord being my helper.
The archbishop
Will you maintain and promote (as much as lies in your power) quietness, peace and love among all people; and will you correct and discipline, according to the authority you have by God's Word, the disorderly and disobedient and those guilty of offence within your jurisdiction?
Answer I will do so, by the help of God.
The archbishop
Will you be faithful in ordaining, commissioning, and laying hands upon others?
Answer I will be so, by the help of God.
The archbishop
Will you be gentle and merciful for Christ's sake to the poor and the needy, and to all strangers devoid of help?
Answer I will be so, by God’s help.
The archbishop, standing up, says
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who has given you the will to do all these things, grant you strength and power to perform them so that he may complete the work which he has begun in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
THE CONSECRATION
Then the bishop-elect puts on the rest of the episcopal vesture; he kneels down, and the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus (or another hymn to the Holy Spirit) is sung or said.
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
and lighten with celestial fire;
thou the anointing Spirit art,
who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.
Thy blessed unction from above
is comfort, life, and fire of love;
enable with perpetual light
the dullness of our blinded sight.
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
with the abundance of thy grace;
keep far our foes, give peace at home
where thou art guide no ill can come.
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
and thee, of both, to be but One;
that through the ages all along
this may be our endless song:
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The archbishop then says
Lord, hear our prayer.
and let our cry come to you.
Let us pray.
Almighty God and heavenly Father, by your infinite love and goodness you gave your only and most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ to be our redeemer and the author of everlasting life. After he had secured our redemption by his death and ascended into heaven, he poured down his gifts abundantly on men, making some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some teachers and pastors, to the building up and perfecting of his Church; Grant, O Lord, we implore you, to this your servant such grace, that he may be always ready to spread abroad your Gospel, the good news of reconciliation with you; and to use the authority given him, not for destruction, but for salvation; not to hurt, but to help: so that as a faithful and wise servant set over your household, giving his fellow servants their food at the proper time, he may at the last be received into your everlasting joy through Jesus Christ our Lord who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. AMEN.
Then the archbishop and other bishops present lay their hands on the head of the bishop-elect, as he kneels before them, the archbishop saying
Receive the Holy Spirit [for the office and work of a bishop in the Church of God, now committed to you by the laying on of our hands, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.] And remember to stir up the grace of God given you, by this laying on of our hands, for God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control.
THE GIVING OF THE BIBLE
The archbishop gives the new bishop a Bible saying
Give your attention to reading, exhortation and teaching. Think on the things contained in this Book. Practice them, that the growth which comes by doing so is clearly evident to everyone. Apply these things to yourself, teach them to others, and be diligent in their practice for by so doing you shall both save yourself and those who hear you. Be to the flock of Christ a shepherd, not a wolf; feed them, do not devour them. Support the weak, heal the sick, bind up the broken, restore the outcasts, and seek the lost. Be merciful, without being careless of duty or negligent, and administer discipline with mercy; that when the Chief Shepherd appears you may receive the never-fading crown of glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
THE COMMUNION
Then the archbishop proceeds with the service of Holy Communion. The newly-consecrated bishop receives the communion with him and the others present.
After Post-Communion Prayer (s), and before the Blessing, these Collects are said:
Most merciful Father, we ask you to send upon this your servant your heavenly blessing. So clothe him with your Holy Spirit that he, preaching your Word, may not only be zealous to admonish, entreat, and rebuke with all patience and sound teaching; but also may to those who believe be a wholesome example, in word, in behavior, in love, in faith, in chastity, and in purity; that faithfully fulfilling his ministry, he may at the last receive the crown of righteousness laid up by the Lord the righteous Judge, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN.
Go before us, Lord, with your most gracious favor and further us with your continual help so that in all our works, begun, continued and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name and at the end by your mercy obtain eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
The archbishop pronounces this Blessing.
The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. AMEN.
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