Commissioning Text

Below is the text of the commissioning ceremony for Phil Sunday morning:

Whereas the congregation of Tenth Presbyterian Church accepts the providential work of God and trusts that he has called you, Philip G. Ryken, our Senior Minister, to serve his kingdom as President of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois;


And whereas you have faithfully served this church for fifteen years proclaiming and teaching the whole counsel of God and shepherding your flock;

And whereas you have exemplified before this church over these years that you are a servant who seeks foremost to be obedient to your Lord’s calling;

We are prepared this day to grant your request of us – to send you forth with our blessing.

We ask these questions of you:


Do you promise to remain faithful in your new calling to preach and teach the whole counsel of God?

Do you promise to shepherd your flock in the Wheaton College community with the same care that you have exercised as our pastor?

Do you promise to demonstrate before the Wheaton Community the same devotion to your family as you have displayed before us?

Do you promise to keep the people of Tenth Presbyterian Church in your prayers and to serve this church as opportunity may allow?

Then let it be known before all witnesses that Tenth Presbyterian Church releases Philip Ryken to his new service at Wheaton College and sends him forth with our blessings and prayers. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

It was the last question that Phil said sounded like a loaded question. I was tempted to add one question: "Do you promise to root for the Phillies when they play against the Cubs and White Sox?"