Commontide
The Institution of a Rector
Most gracious Father, the Giver of all good and perfect gifts, in your wise providence you appoint leaders for the mission of your Church: Give grace to this your servant, to whom the charge of this Congregation is now given: so empower him with the truth of sound doctrine, and endue him with holiness of life, that he may faithfully serve before you to the glory of your great Name, and the benefit of your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Draft — AI-assisted research under editorial review.
This prayer for a newly installed rector is a lightly modernized form of a collect first printed in the American Prayer Book's 1804/1808 Office of Institution of Ministers, carried forward through 1892, 1928, and now the ACNA's 2019 Book of Common Prayer.