Go Preach · Free Resource

Free Commissioning Service Planner

Send out missionaries, ministers and workers with a service worthy of the calling — the laying on of hands, a bold charge, and the full blessing of the Body of Christ.

What's included

Pre-commissioning preparation checklist
Full service order
Sample commissioning words & charge
Congregation response & prayer of sending
Scripture for sending & the Great Commission

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Pre-Service Checklist

Clarify the nature of the commissioning — role, destination, duration, accountability
Prepare commissioning words and charge
Confirm who will lay hands and lead the commissioning prayer
Arrange for letters or words from the congregation (letters to open on arrival, etc.)
Confirm any gift from the church community
Brief the congregation on the commissioning and their role in responding
Prepare a brief testimony slot for the person being sent
Arrange photographer for the laying on of hands moment
Confirm whether family will come forward during prayer

Service Order

#	Element	Est. Time
1	Welcome & context (who is being sent and why)	3–5 min
2	Testimony from the person being sent	5–8 min
3	Scripture reading	3–4 min
4	Message on sending & the Great Commission	15–25 min
5	Call the person(s) forward	1 min
6	Words of commissioning	3–5 min
7	Question to the congregation	1 min
8	Invite those laying hands forward	1–2 min
9	The laying on of hands & commissioning prayer	5–10 min
10	Presentation of gift from church	1–2 min
11	The sending benediction	1–2 min

Commissioning Words & Charge

Words of Commissioning

"We recognise God's call upon your life and we now commission you in the name of Jesus Christ. As you go, know that you do not go alone — you go with our prayers, our love, and the power of the Holy Spirit who goes before you. You are not leaving this family; you are extending it. Go in His strength, preach His Word, trust His leading, and come back with stories."

Question to the Congregation

"Do you commit to hold _____ in prayer, to support (his/her/their) ministry, and to be the sending community that (he/she/they) can always come home to? If so, say: We do."

The Sending Benediction

"Go in peace, go in power, go in the name of the Lord. May the God of mission go with you, before you and behind you. May the work of your hands be fruitful, the words of your mouth be Spirit-breathed, and the love of God be the mark that everyone sees. And may you return with joy. Amen."

Scripture for Sending

Isaiah 6:8"Here am I. Send me!" — The great surrender to the call.

Matthew 28:18–20The Great Commission — all authority, go, make disciples, baptise, teach, "I am with you always."

Acts 13:2–3"The Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So they fasted, prayed and laid hands on them."

Romans 10:14–15"How can they hear without someone preaching to them? How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Luke 10:1–3Jesus sends out seventy-two — "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few."

Joshua 1:9"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

2 Timothy 1:7"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind."

Philippians 4:13"I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

Notes

Tip: Invite the congregation to write encouraging notes or scriptures for the person being sent. Collect them and present as a bundle they can open one a day during their first weeks in the new role. It's a simple act that carries people through the hard early season.

Details & service notes