Lutheran Church of Australia: Commission on Worship
STATEMENT 26
GUIDELINES FOR THE INVOLVEMENT OF VICARS IN
LEADING PUBLIC WORSHIP
This is a revision of a statement originally prepared by the Department of Liturgics in response to a request from the Council of Presidents, and adopted by the Commission on Worship, September 1991. It also appears in the Vicarage Manual of Luther Seminary. This revision adopted by the Commission on Worship, September 2001.
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A vicar, as a pastor-in-training, is authorised by the Lutheran Church of Australia to assist in leading worship under the supervision of his vicar-father as part of his preparation for ordination into the holy ministry.
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A vicar may preach and may lead all parts of a service except those involving the full exercise of the office of the keys. They are the absolution, the words of institution, and the admission to or exclusion from the altar at holy communion. Normally a vicar will not baptise, except in emergencies, or with the express approval of his president.
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A vicar may lead any service with the following minor orders:
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Matins (morning) (Supplement, 36; Approved Worship Services, DO4)
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Morning Praise (originally from Worship Today; revised in Approved Worship Services, DO5)
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Vespers (afternoon or evening) (Supplement, 47; Approved Worship Services, DO6)
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Evening Praise—A Modern Vespers (Worship Today, 35)
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Responsive Prayer—Morning (Supplement, 55; Approved Worship Services, DO9)
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Responsive Prayer—Evening (Supplement, 56; Approved Worship Services, DO9)
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Service without Holy Communion (Supplement, 23; Approved Worship Services, DO1)
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Service of the Word (Approved Worship Services, DO2)
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When a vicar preaches, he does so under the supervision of his vicar-father.
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The vicar, as a pastor-in-training, is permitted to assist the presiding minister (who will normally be his vicar-father) in the eucharistic liturgy. He may take the preface, the thanksgiving, and the Lord’s Prayer. However, on such occasions the presiding minister stands with him at the altar to signify that the vicar is acting under the presiding minister.
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The vicar may assist with the distribution of the Lord’s Supper.
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It is recommended that the pastor distributes the body of Christ. This is particularly important in situations where there is a possibility that somebody may need to be excluded.
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The vicar uses the same formula of bestowal recommended for lay servers: ‘This is the body…’, ‘This is the blood…’, or simply: ‘The body…’, ‘The blood…’. The full formula of distribution with the words of admission: ‘Take and eat…’ and ‘Take and drink…’ is normally said by the pastor because it presupposes and signifies the authority to admit a person to the altar.
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The pastor pronounces the blessing with the ‘you’ form of address: ‘The Lord bless you…’ The vicar uses the first person plural: ‘The Lord bless us’; ‘be with us’; ‘give us peace’.
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Since a vicar is not an authorised celebrant, he cannot legally preside over the exchange of vows in a marriage service. However, he may conduct a funeral service and take the commital.
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