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The Vows

 

Maturity comes about by living a life of simplicity, purity and accountability, our contemporary re-interpretation of the ancient vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.  It is within this context that the Holy Spirit gives us more and more freedom, increasing both the blessings and the opportunities that we live in and encounter.

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Simplicity

A life that is defined by simplicity is a life that is lightweight and low maintenance.  This enables us to hear and move quickly according to God’s call.  Responding to the call to simplicity will resolve the complexities of life.  Jesus offers us simplicity. He is the way, the truth and the life. The direction of the life of Jesus is the means of orienting our lives.  His truth-defined reality defines our reality. As a follower of Christ my life is dependent on him alone.

Purity

Jesus said that those who are internally pure, free from spiritual contamination and ungodly thinking, know the blessing of seeing God in the external life (Matthew Ch 5 v 8).  Purity starts internally and finds its outward expression in the way we engage and interact with the things God has made.  Internal purity leads to a purity of intention towards creation. This of course includes human relationships.

 

The reason why people become impure is because the things God has made are no longer defined by God having made them and we have a relationship with them as another creature.  They become defined by our desire to possess, devour and take them for ourselves. The issue of purity is ‘Who is your god?’

Accountability

Accountability is choosing to live life surrendered to the kingship of Jesus.  This is expressed by inviting others to walk with us, to challenge and to call us to account regarding the internal and external realities of our lives – the things we think and the things we do.  The outworking of accountability embraces both encouragement and challenge.

 

When we are in a position of accountability, the task is transparency. When others are making themselves accountable to us the task is spiritual investment.  Accountability is chosen, not forced.

Initiation Prayers and Vows

Temporary Covenant

On taking their three year temporary vows for The Order of Mission, members take the following vows at Initiation:

 

In the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit,

I solemnly promise before God

to devote myself

to a life of simplicity, purity

and accountability

within The Order of Mission.

I vow before God and in the presence of the Senior Guardian (Guardians)

and the members of the Order,

to live and work according to its Rule.

I ask for the grace of Almighty God

and the prayers of all those present.

Amen

 

Permanent Covenant

On taking their permanent vows for The Order of Mission, members take the following vows at Initiation:

 

In the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit,

I solemnly promise before God

to devote myself

to a life of simplicity, purity

and accountability

as a permanent member of

The Order of Mission.

I vow before God and in the presence of the Senior Guardian

and the members of the Order,

to live and work according to its Rule.

I ask for the grace of Almighty God

and the prayers of all those present.

Amen

Covenantal Prayer

When members are initiated into The Order of Mission, all members present refresh their commitment to God by saying The Methodist Covenant Prayer together:

 

I am no longer my own, but Yours:

Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will;

Put me to doing, put me to suffering;

Let me be employed by You or laid aside for You;

Exalted for You or brought low by You;

Let me be full, let me be empty;

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to Your

pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

You are mine, and I am Yours.

So be it.

And the covenant which I have made on earth,

Let it be ratified in heaven.

Amen.

THE ORDER OF MISSION | missionorder.org

The Order of Mission is a company limited by Guarantee. Registered in England and Wales – No. 4780525. Registered Charity No. 1100206

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