Seal of office for Bishop Raymond Allan Johnson
Monday, February 26, 2007
My Adjutants-Chamberlain
Elder Errol C. Hudson, Pastor
Unity and Peace Full Gospel Baptist Church
Detroit, Michigan
Adjutant-Chamberlain
Elder DeShante ErvinInternational Chief Verger
United Kingdom Builders International Ministries, Inc.
Apostolic Adjutant
THE CHIROTONIA
THE CHIROTONIA OR EPISCOPAL ORDINATION
Preface to the Ordination Rites
The Holy Scriptures and ancient Christian writers make it clear that from the apostles’ time, there have been different ministries within the Church. In particular, since the time of the New Testament, three distinct orders of ordained ministers have been characteristic of Christ's holy catholic Church. First, there is the order of bishops who carry on the apostolic work of leading, supervising, and uniting the Church. Secondly, associated with them are the presbyters, or ordained elders, in subsequent times generally known as priests. Together with the bishops, they take part in the governance of the Church, in the carrying out of its missionary and pastoral work, and in the preaching of the Word of God and administering his holy Sacraments. Thirdly, there are deacons who assist bishops and priests in all of this work. It is also a special responsibility of deacons to minister in Christ's name to the poor, the sick, the suffering, and the helpless.
The persons who are chosen and recognized by the Church as being called by God to the ordained ministry are admitted to these sacred orders by solemn prayer and the laying on of episcopal hands. It has been, and is, the intention and purpose of this Church to maintain and continue these three orders; and for this purpose these services of ordination and consecration are appointed. No persons are allowed to exercise the offices of bishop, priest, or deacon in this Church unless they are so ordained, or have already received such ordination with the laying on of hands by bishops who are themselves duly qualified to confer Holy Orders.
It is also recognized and affirmed that the threefold ministry is not the exclusive property of this portion of Christ's catholic Church, but is a gift from God for the nurture of his people and the proclamation of his Gospel everywhere. Accordingly, the manner of ordaining in this Church is to be such as has been, and is, most generally recognized by Christian people as suitable for the conferring of the sacred orders of bishop, priest, and deacon.
Preface to the Ordination Rites
The Holy Scriptures and ancient Christian writers make it clear that from the apostles’ time, there have been different ministries within the Church. In particular, since the time of the New Testament, three distinct orders of ordained ministers have been characteristic of Christ's holy catholic Church. First, there is the order of bishops who carry on the apostolic work of leading, supervising, and uniting the Church. Secondly, associated with them are the presbyters, or ordained elders, in subsequent times generally known as priests. Together with the bishops, they take part in the governance of the Church, in the carrying out of its missionary and pastoral work, and in the preaching of the Word of God and administering his holy Sacraments. Thirdly, there are deacons who assist bishops and priests in all of this work. It is also a special responsibility of deacons to minister in Christ's name to the poor, the sick, the suffering, and the helpless.
The persons who are chosen and recognized by the Church as being called by God to the ordained ministry are admitted to these sacred orders by solemn prayer and the laying on of episcopal hands. It has been, and is, the intention and purpose of this Church to maintain and continue these three orders; and for this purpose these services of ordination and consecration are appointed. No persons are allowed to exercise the offices of bishop, priest, or deacon in this Church unless they are so ordained, or have already received such ordination with the laying on of hands by bishops who are themselves duly qualified to confer Holy Orders.
It is also recognized and affirmed that the threefold ministry is not the exclusive property of this portion of Christ's catholic Church, but is a gift from God for the nurture of his people and the proclamation of his Gospel everywhere. Accordingly, the manner of ordaining in this Church is to be such as has been, and is, most generally recognized by Christian people as suitable for the conferring of the sacred orders of bishop, priest, and deacon.
Concerning the Ordination of a Bishop
When a bishop is to be ordained, the Presiding Bishop of this Church, or a bishop appointed by the Presiding Bishop, presides and serves as chief consecrator. At least two other bishops serve as co-consecrators. Representatives of the presbyterate, diaconate, and laity of the diocese for which the new bishop is to be consecrated, are assigned appropriate duties in the service – generally these are Adjutants-Chamberlain.
From the beginning of the service until the Offertory, the chief consecrator presides from a chair placed close to the people, so that all may see and hear what is done. The other bishops, or a convenient number of them, sit to the right and left of the chief consecrator.
The bishop-elect is vested in a CASSOCK and ZUCHETTO, without stole, tippet, or other vesture distinctive of ecclesiastical or academic rank or order. When the bishop-elect is presented, his full name (designated by the symbol N.N.) is used. Thereafter, it is appropriate to refer to him only by the Christian name by which he wishes to be known. At the Offertory, it is appropriate that the bread and wine be brought to the Altar by the family or friends of the newly ordained.
The family of the newly ordained may receive Communion before other members of the congregation. Opportunity is always given to the people to communicate.
From the beginning of the service until the Offertory, the chief consecrator presides from a chair placed close to the people, so that all may see and hear what is done. The other bishops, or a convenient number of them, sit to the right and left of the chief consecrator.
The bishop-elect is vested in a CASSOCK and ZUCHETTO, without stole, tippet, or other vesture distinctive of ecclesiastical or academic rank or order. When the bishop-elect is presented, his full name (designated by the symbol N.N.) is used. Thereafter, it is appropriate to refer to him only by the Christian name by which he wishes to be known. At the Offertory, it is appropriate that the bread and wine be brought to the Altar by the family or friends of the newly ordained.
The family of the newly ordained may receive Communion before other members of the congregation. Opportunity is always given to the people to communicate.
Bishops' Council
In order for the Consecration of a Bishop to be universally recognized at least three other already duly-Consecrated Bishops must lay hands on him/her.
There were maybe three Bishops present that evening whom I did not know or recognize; but of those whom I knew, the following comprised my Ordaining Council"
Bishop Carl E. Mitchell, Sr.
Bibleway Church of the Apostolic Faith
Covering Apostle for UKB International
and representing Bibleway Churches of the World
Bishop Thomas G. Mitchell, Sr.
Open Arms Cathedral
Presiding prelate of United Kingdom Builders
International Ministries, Inc.
Bishop Willie C. Mason
Zion International Ministries of the
Apostolic Faith
and representing Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith
Bishop Lawrence Lavelle Hancock, Sr.
Final Harvest Church International
Bishop Mark Jones
Center for Manifestation
Bishop Michael E. Carter, Sr.
Jesus Over You Ministries
Bishop Edward Banks, Sr.
True Faith Deliverance Church
There were maybe three Bishops present that evening whom I did not know or recognize; but of those whom I knew, the following comprised my Ordaining Council"
Bishop Carl E. Mitchell, Sr.
Bibleway Church of the Apostolic Faith
Covering Apostle for UKB International
and representing Bibleway Churches of the World
Bishop Thomas G. Mitchell, Sr.
Open Arms Cathedral
Presiding prelate of United Kingdom Builders
International Ministries, Inc.
Bishop Willie C. Mason
Zion International Ministries of the
Apostolic Faith
and representing Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith
Bishop Lawrence Lavelle Hancock, Sr.
Final Harvest Church International
Bishop Mark Jones
Center for Manifestation
Bishop Michael E. Carter, Sr.
Jesus Over You Ministries
Bishop Edward Banks, Sr.
True Faith Deliverance Church
Guest Bishops
Bishops Carl and Thomas Mitchell, Carter, and Banks are all Bishops in United Kingdom Builders. In this picture Carter has on a red Chimere, Bishop Carl Mitchell has on a gold Chimere, and Bishop Banks is wearing a purple Cope. I do not know the fourth brother; but all of the pulpit guests that evening were duly-consecrated Bishops. In later pictures you will see other faces.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
