Planning a Pastor Installation Service http://partyideasbuzz.com/pastor-installation-service-planning/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReewCaBe_jg We all know that pastors may need to leave their churches for any number of reasons – they’ve been called by God for other services such as going on ministry missions to other countries for extended times, they’re retiring from full time pastoral service or God has called them home and a new pastor must take their place. At times, a pastor may have been asked to leave due to some conflict. This is when a pastor installation service is very crucial to the congregation and to the new pastor as sometimes a new level of trust needs to be built. The new pastor will feel that much more appreciated and welcomed if a formal installation of a pastor service is held. For whatever reason a pastor is leaving, or has left, a new pastor should be welcomed to the church with open arms by its congregation. More churches today are welcoming their new pastor by holding a pastor installation service in addition to any fellowship activities that are held to introduce the new pastor and his family to the members of the church. Planning a Pastor Installation Service http://partyideasbuzz.com/pastor-installation-service-planning/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReewCaBe_jg

1. creat ivepersonalizedkeepsakes.com http://creativepersonalizedkeepsakes.com/pastor-installation-service-planning/
Planning a Pastor Installation Service
I received a call recently f rom a customer who wanted to order bookmarks f or a pastor installation service and
thought what a nice idea! Pastor installations are very important f or churches to help new pastors f eel
welcome. And personalized bookmarks are beautif ul keepsakes to commemorate this special day in a pastoral
career.
What is a Pastor Installation?
We all know that pastors may need to leave their churches f or any number of
reasons – they’ve been called by God f or other services such as going on
ministry missions to other countries f or extended times, they’re retiring f rom
f ull time pastoral service or God has called them home and a new pastor
must take their place.
At times, a pastor may have been asked to leave due to some conf lict. This
is when a pastor installation service is very crucial to the congregation and to
the new pastor as sometimes a new level of trust needs to be built.
The new pastor will f eel that much more appreciated and welcomed if a
f ormal installation of a pastor service is held.
Planning a Pastor Installation Service
For whatever reason a pastor is leaving, or has lef t, a new pastor should be
welcomed to the church with open arms by its congregation. More churches
today are welcoming their new pastor by holding a pastor installation service in addition to any f ellowship
activities that are held to introduce the new pastor and his f amily to the members of the church.
In addition to meeting his new congregation, a pastor installation service allows the opportunity f or the church
and their new pastor to communicate what they expect of each other and their plans and commitments to work
together in meeting those expectations.
These could include goals f or the church, missionary support goals, or any number of things the pastor and
the church would like to communicate regarding the continued ministries of the church.
What is the format of the service?
Basically the installation service doesn’t need to be lengthy
and can be held on a Saturday af ternoon f ollowed by a
celebratory luncheon or banquet.
In addition to the introduction of the new pastor to the
church members, appropriate scriptures can be read, special
music can be played and the choir and members can celebrate
the installation of a pastor into their church with a special
selection of hymns.
If the f ormer or retiring pastor is in attendance yet, he can
say a f ew words of encouragement in welcoming the new
pastor. Of ten a deacon or assistant pastor will speak, or even a pastor f rom a neighboring church can be

2. invited to the service to say a f ew words to welcome the new pastor into the community.
Cooperation between neighboring churches is very important to the community as a whole, and inviting the
pastor and f amily of a neighboring church can be extremely important in helping the new pastor and his f amily
f eel welcome in the new community they’ve been charged to serve.
Af ter the f ormal service, the new pastor can bring the service to close with a special prayer and members of
the church can individually introduce themselves and welcome the new pastor into the church.
A pastor installation ceremony is also a way to welcome new parishioners to the church f rom the community. An
announcement of the service can be placed in the local newspapers or even in the church bulletins of
neighboring community churches so their church members can attend the service as well.
Is there a reception held after the service?
A banquet or reception should also be held af ter the f ormal
service. Most churches have ample room in basement area
f or holding special dinners. Or if the reception is being held
outside, large tents can be set up and the reception can be a
little more casual.
Banquets can be catered, as long as there were RSVPs
required f or attending the service, or most of ten, a simple
“pot luck” dinner is held where church members signed up
ahead of time to bring certain f ood items.
The overall importance of the pastor installation ceremony f ollowed by a reception, no matter how f ormal or
casual, is not to be taken lightly. A church can easily divide and f all if a new pastor does not f eel welcome.
The service is a time f or f ellowship and worship and thanking God f or providing the church and the community
with a new leader to help keep the ministry of the church going f orward.
Additional resources to help with planning a pastor installation service:
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
From Pastoral Vacancy to Installation
Ministry Rites
Lutheran Social Ministry Organizations:
Planning an Installation Service

3. Presbytery of Milwaukee:
Handbook f or Installing a Pastor