Developing an Ordained Ministry
CONGREGATIONAL DISCERNMENT COMMITTEE (#27)
MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of the Congregational Discernment Committee is to encourage, challenge, guide, and support individuals (called “Seekers”) who are exploring a call to the ordained ministry. This will involve the discernment and clarification of their call, including an evaluation of each seeker’s gifts for ministry. When a person feels called to discern a vocation to ordained ministry, they first speak with their priest. When the priest agrees that congregational discernment is called for, s/he puts together a small group of people to form the congregational discernment committee.
DEVELOPING THE COMMITTEE:
1. Membership of the Committee:
We suggest the Congregational Discernment Committee (CDC) have three to five active members of the congregation. In some cases a person can join the CDC who is not a member of the congregation. The Rector/Vicar is not a member of the CDC but meets with the Seeker separately on a regular basis during the discernment time. It may help to have CDC members serve for a specific term as needed. Each CDC member should receive training about the work of the committee and what is involved in the discernment process. Members are expected to pray for all who are involved in the discernment process.
2. Role of Rector/Vicar/Priest-in-Charge:
The Rector/Vicar of the seeker’s congregation is the first person that the seeker speaks with when called to discern a vocation to ordained ministry. This priest sets up the CDC, comes to their first meeting and goes to the CDC training. Otherwise the Rector/Vicar is not involved with the CDC until the end of the process when s/he is part of the discernment celebration. The seeker meets separately with the Rector/Vicar throughout the congregational discernment process for spiritual conversation.
3. Confidentiality:
a. What happens in committee meetings must be treated with confidentiality. Exceptions have to be approved by the people involved.
b. The names of the Seekers working through the discernment process will be made public only if and when they are approved for postulancy by the Bishop after Diocesan Vocations Conference.
c. Meetings of the Committee are confidential meetings.
4. Length of the Process:
a. It is expected that a Seeker will work with this Committee no less than six months before being presented to the Vestry or BAC. The typical congregational discernment process takes about one year. If a CDC is still meeting with a Seeker after two years, then a reassessment of the process may be needed.
b. The committee will be clear about the process (one such outline is presented in this document) and will share that process with each Seeker.
c. It is helpful to have meetings at least every four to six weeks.
5. Vestry or BAC Approval:
a. If and when they discern a call to ordained ministry, The CDC will make a recommendation to the Vestry/BAC. When the CDC discerns a call to specialized baptismal ministry, they inform the Rector/Vicar to work with the Seeker and the Commission on Ministry Committee for Baptismal Ministry to gather support and resources needed for training.
b. The Vestry or BAC will not consider approval of persons for aspirancy without the recommendation of the Congregational Discernment Committee. The role of the Vestry/BAC is to endorse the CDC recommendation or not.
c. The CDC will make periodic reports to Rector-Vicar on its work and the process.
6. Next Steps:
a. If in agreement with the CDC’s recommendation to continue discernment towards ordination, the Vestry/BAC signs an endorsement letter and sends it to the Vocations Coordinator at the Diocesan office. The Seeker then becomes an Aspirant and begins necessary preparation in the diocesan process. If the Aspirant is recommended for postulancy by the Diocesan Commission on Ministry at Vocations Conference, and approved by the Bishop, the Aspirant becomes a Postulant and his or her status is announced to the congregation. Prayers and support for the Postulant continue through the rest of the ordination process. A companion from the Commission on Ministry Committee for the Ordained is chosen and is also in contact with the Postulant throughout the rest of the ordination process.
b. It is recommended for anyone in the ordination process to have an ongoing congregational support group. It is recommended that one be chosen in coordination with the Rector/Vicar and the Postulant. This may include members of the Postulant’s former CDC.
7. Celebration
The Seeker, the CDC and the Rector/Vicar celebrate discernment results and their good work together.
OUTLINE FOR AN ORDAINED MINISTRY
CONGREGATIONALDISCERNMENT COMMITTEE (CDC)
PREFACE:
This outline is for use in individual congregations. It should be adapted to specific situations taking into account the Seeker’s clarity of vocation and the size of the congregation and committee, etc. Some sessions may take two or three meetings to complete.
It will be helpful to have one member of the CDC serve as convener/coordinator. The convener should serve as clerk, or appoint a clerk, acting as the conduit between and CDC and Seeker to that information is dispersed in a timely manner.
All sessions need to be framed in prayer. Services from “Daily Devotions for Individuals” (BCP pp. 136-140) might be used. “A Prayer of Self-Dedication” (BCP p. 832) could also be appropriately used for the close of each session.
SESSION I: Getting Acquainted
Before this session it would be helpful to request that the Seeker read Listening Hearts prior to the meeting as well as having all the members of the CDC read it also.
1. Open with prayer.
2. The CDC reviews the content and purpose of the congregational discernment process with the Seeker. The Seeker should be given ample opportunity to ask questions about the process, or to ask for particular help needed in discernment.
3. The CDC and the Seeker introduce themselves briefly in the context of the gifts God has given to them for ministry of all kinds.
4. The Seeker talks about some of the life experiences that have raised questions about vocation and ministry for him/her. Try to identify clearly some of the Seeker’s questions and longing. Discuss the meaning of “vocation”.
5. The Committee should pay particular attention to the following characteristics of the Seeker:
a) Communication skills
b) Ability to relate to others
c) Personal integrity and self-esteem
d) Physical health and energy
e) Intellectual gifts and abilities
f) Sense of strengths and weaknesses
g) Emotional maturity and stability
6. Any readings for the next session should be given to the Seeker within two or three days of the meeting so that the CDC can decide what might be the most appropriate assignment and that the Seeker have adequate time for reading, reflection and writing.
7. Close with prayer.
SESSION II: Insight into Ministry
Required reading for the CDC and the Seeker: The portion of the Book of Common Prayer on the distinctions between ministries is found beginning on page 855. Also helpful to read are“Form of Commitment to Christian Service beginning on BCP page 420, Ordination of a Priest – page 525, Ordination of a Deacon - page 537
1. Open with prayer
2. The Seeker and the CDC discuss ministry with special attention to the distinct ministry of the laity and its relationship to the ordained ministry and with special attention to the distinctions between diaconal and priestly ministry.
3. The Seeker and the CDC share together where there are new ideas, concerns and points of confusion, as they discover each other’s understanding of ministry.
4. Opportunity for the Seeker to ask questions about the process and to request any particular help needed.
5. Discussion of the assignment for the next session: “A Spiritual Autobiography” with attention to the six areas listed below in Session IV.2. that the Seeker feels are relevant to his/her discernment. The autobiography should be in two parts: a) a discussion of present ministries, and b) the Seeker’s sense of call (from God, from the faith community, in the context of the Seeker’s family, friends, and spiritual companions). This autobiography should be submitted 7-10 days prior to the next meeting.
6. Close with prayer.
SESSION III: Seeker’s Present Ministry and Sense of Vocation
Required Paper: Seven to ten days prior to this session the Seeker will submit “A Spiritual Autobiography” (3-4 pages) to the Committee.
1. Open with prayer
2. The Seeker shares his/her present ministry. Discussion of how this ministry is part of the Seeker’s spiritual journey and currently is being validated.
3. Discussion of how this present ministry is different from the present sense of call. Reflection on what support the Seeker needs for ministry. In cases where ordained ministry is seen as a possible part of the seeking, there should also be discussion of how the Seeker’s present ministry is different from the ministry of a deacon or priest, and whether or not the Seeker feels that s/he needs to be ordained to undertake that ministry.
4. The Seeker shares her/his sense of call: from God, from the faith community, in the context of one’s family, friends and mentors.
Note: This area is very sensitive because it is very personal. The tendency to accept anything that sounds remotely pious is unfair to the Seeker. The ability to struggle with, and express the deep sense of personal relationship with God in Christ and with others is central to the practice of creative ministry. The Seeker needs to be challenged to risk and speak deeply about his/her call.
5. Close with prayer.
SESSION IV: Christian Life: Living Out One’s Christian Vocation
1. Open with prayer
2. The Seeker shares how s/he currently relates to those areas from this list which are seen as relevant:
· Spiritual Disciplines and Prayer
· The Sacraments and Worship
· Scripture and Bible study
· Authority and Obedience within the Church
· The Interior Life of the Christian Community
· Servant Ministry to the Larger Community
3. Opportunity for the Seeker to ask questions of the CDC and to ask for any specific help needed in the discernment process.
4. Close with prayer
SESSION V: What and Whom does the Seeker Bring to This Call?
If the Seeker is married or in a committed relationship, the spouse or partner should also attend this meeting. It may also be appropriate to include older children in the discussion if the Seeker thinks that would be helpful.
1. Open with prayer
2. Introduce members of the CDC and others present.
3. Discuss what it means to be one who “aspires” to a particular ministry. How does that meaning show in the Seeker’s life, relationships and value system?
4. Discuss the Seeker’s life and work experience. How do they relate to the Seeker’s sense of vocation and ministry?
5. What particular vision or goals does the Seeker have regarding her or his future ministry? Are they open-ended or closed? How has this process helped to focus or change the Seeker’s sense of call? Is there a sense of changing from a “seeker” to an “Aspirant”?
6. Discuss the Seeker’s significant relationships. How do they fit into the Seeker’s call to ministry? Where applicable, discuss how the Seeker’s family relates to this call:
a. Do they have a realistic vision of what is in store for them?
b. If married or living in a committed relationship, what is the role of the Seeker’s spouse or partner in the decision to enter into a new dimension of ministry?
c. If the call is to the ordained ministry and there are two careers in the household, what planning has been undertaken? Has there been any reflection on the potential personal and financial stress?
d. If there are children in the family, what impact will this decision have on them?
e. Are there any other family pressures involved in the aspirant’s decision to explore the ordained ministry as a deacon or priest?
7. Does the Seeker have any burdensome financial obligations? If the call is to become a seminary trained priest, how will the Seeker pay for a seminary education? If the call is to become a vocational deacon, how will the seeker pay for diaconal education at The Academy?
8. Are there areas that the Seeker feels have not been covered? If so, discuss. There should be ample opportunity for the Seeker’s family to ask any questions or discuss any concerns they may have about this process or the future.
9. Close with prayer.
SESSION VI: Final Meeting with the Seeker
Prior to this meeting with the Seeker, the CDC meets separately to reflect on the ministry and vocation discerned in previous sessions with the Seeker. Each member of the CDC should come with written observations/reflections to share. From the discussion of this material the CDC should prepare an outline of reflections to share with the Seeker. Since the CDC has been sharing ideas, impressions, encouragements and concerns all along this journey, it is expected that the Seeker will have some idea of where things are and will not be totally surprised by the recommendations of the CDC. If the process is to continue, the CDC designates a person to complete a draft of a letter to be given to the Vestry or BAC and a specific date when it will be presented to the Vestry/BAC.
1. Open with prayer. (For this session it might be appropriate to begin with Eucharist to focus the evening on God’s call, and to serve as part of the “closure” for this particular group).
2. Share the outline of reflections with the Seeker. This would include the CDC’s decision of whether or not to recommend the Seeker to the Vestry or BAC for aspirancy to ordained ministry, or to suggest further time for growth and discernment, or to indicate that the CDC discerns a call to specialized lay ministry (and will not recommend the Seeker to the Vestry or BAC for diocesan discernment for holy orders).
3. Share specific recommendations, questions or concerns with the Seeker. These may take the form of the names of potential spiritual directors, therapists, mentors, books to read, lay training resources and programs, keeping a journal, or other disciplines that are intended to strengthen or expand an individual’s capabilities and understanding.