Christianity 102Christianity 102Congregation Benim AvrahamCongregation Benim Avraham

Diocese of La Porte, TexasDiocese of La Porte, TexasChristian Church, Synod of St. Christian Church, Synod of St.

TimothyTimothy

Part 6Part 6

OrdinationOrdination

ActsActs

And the word pleased the entire group, and And the word pleased the entire group, and they chose Stephan…whom they set before they chose Stephan…whom they set before the Apostles, and when they prayed, they the Apostles, and when they prayed, they laid hands on them. (6:5-6)laid hands on them. (6:5-6)

OrdinationOrdination

Sacrament in which the church sets aside Sacrament in which the church sets aside men or women to be ministers in the church.men or women to be ministers in the church.

The outward and visible sign is the laying on The outward and visible sign is the laying on of hand and anointing with oil.of hand and anointing with oil.

The inward and invisible grace is the gift of The inward and invisible grace is the gift of the Holy Spirit to do that job.the Holy Spirit to do that job.

OrdinationOrdination

The Ordaining official is always the bishop The Ordaining official is always the bishop (traditionally called the ordinary because he ordains)(traditionally called the ordinary because he ordains)

In ordaining a deacon, or deaconess, the bishop alone In ordaining a deacon, or deaconess, the bishop alone lays hands on the candidate.lays hands on the candidate.

In ordaining a presbyter, all the other presbyters In ordaining a presbyter, all the other presbyters present join in laying hands on the new presbyter.present join in laying hands on the new presbyter.

In ordaining or consecrating bishops, at least three In ordaining or consecrating bishops, at least three bishops lay hands on the candidate. Normally the bishops lay hands on the candidate. Normally the Presiding Bishop presides over the service.Presiding Bishop presides over the service.

BishopsBishops

Apostle, chief pastor, priest and evangelist of the Apostle, chief pastor, priest and evangelist of the congregation or congregations in a neighbourhood congregation or congregations in a neighbourhood or small town called a diocese.or small town called a diocese.

Represents Christ and his churchRepresents Christ and his church Guards the faith, unity and discipline of the church Guards the faith, unity and discipline of the church

in the world.in the world. Ordains bishops, presbyters and deacons.Ordains bishops, presbyters and deacons. Is elected by clergy and laity in his diocese and Is elected by clergy and laity in his diocese and

approved by the college of bishops.approved by the college of bishops.

PresbytersPresbyters

Represent Christ and his Gospel.Represent Christ and his Gospel. Aid the Bishop in overseeing the church.Aid the Bishop in overseeing the church. Perform sacraments in the absence of the Perform sacraments in the absence of the

Bishop.Bishop. Bless and declare pardon in the name of Bless and declare pardon in the name of

God.God. Are spiritual leaders under the bishop.Are spiritual leaders under the bishop.

DeaconsDeacons

Represent Christ and his church, especially Represent Christ and his church, especially to those in need.to those in need.

Assist the presbyters and bishops in Assist the presbyters and bishops in administrating the sacraments.administrating the sacraments.

Manage the money of the church.Manage the money of the church. Are the leaders in relief and other physical Are the leaders in relief and other physical

needs of the congregation.needs of the congregation.

DeaconessesDeaconesses

Represent Christ and his church, especially Represent Christ and his church, especially to women and children.to women and children.

Assist the presbyters and bishops in Assist the presbyters and bishops in administrating the sacraments.administrating the sacraments.

Are the leaders in ministering to the women Are the leaders in ministering to the women of the congregation.of the congregation.

LaityLaity

Ordained by their Baptism to serve Christ, to Ordained by their Baptism to serve Christ, to know him and make him known.know him and make him known.

Share with the Bishop in governance of the Share with the Bishop in governance of the church.church.

Witness the Gospel.Witness the Gospel. Work for the reconciliation of man with man, Work for the reconciliation of man with man,

man with mankind, man with nature and man with mankind, man with nature and man with God.man with God.

BishopsBishops

Ordinary: Chief Bishop of a diocese.Ordinary: Chief Bishop of a diocese. Sufragan Bishop: Assistant Bishop.Sufragan Bishop: Assistant Bishop. Bishop Coadjutor: Assistant Bishop who will take Bishop Coadjutor: Assistant Bishop who will take

Ordinary’s place when he retires.Ordinary’s place when he retires. Presiding Bishop: Bishop who presides over meetings Presiding Bishop: Bishop who presides over meetings

of the synod and college of Bishops.of the synod and college of Bishops. Archbishop: Presiding Bishop over a locality, say a Archbishop: Presiding Bishop over a locality, say a

county.county. Metropolitan: Presiding Bishop over a Metropolitan Metropolitan: Presiding Bishop over a Metropolitan

area (e.g. Houston and surroundings)area (e.g. Houston and surroundings)

PresbytersPresbyters

Archpriest: Usually the main presbyter of a Archpriest: Usually the main presbyter of a congregation.congregation.

Dean: Chief presbyter of Cathedral or Dean: Chief presbyter of Cathedral or Presbyter in charge of Seminary.Presbyter in charge of Seminary.

Canons: Assistant Presbyters at Cathedral.Canons: Assistant Presbyters at Cathedral. Canon to the Ordinary: Bishop’s right hand Canon to the Ordinary: Bishop’s right hand

man and helper.man and helper.

DeaconsDeacons

Archdeacon: Head deacon at a Archdeacon: Head deacon at a congregation.congregation.

Canon Deacon: Chief deacon of dioceseCanon Deacon: Chief deacon of diocese Archdiocesan deacon: In charge of Archdiocesan deacon: In charge of

charitable works for a province.charitable works for a province. Metropolitan deacon: In charge of Metropolitan deacon: In charge of

charitable works for metropolitan area.charitable works for metropolitan area.