The Order of Priests
The ministry of the Priest, as a representative of Christ and the Church, is customarily, though not exclusively, within a designated congregation where the Priest serves primarily as celebrant of the sacraments and transmitter and interpreter of the tradition of the faith. The Priest is also a participant in the collegium of presbyters and assists the Bishop in the councils of the diocese. Essential elements for this ministry are prayer, reflection, study, teaching, preaching, so that the sacerdotal life is lived with integrity and depth. In the hands and heart of the Priest should reside such a love of Christ and the Church that others are drawn into the grace of a spiritual life. The one ordained is called to be pastor, priest and teacher.
- The Priest is a pastor. He or she will love and serve the people among whom they work, caring for young and old, strong and week, rich and poor. Visiting the sick and shut-in, providing for counseling, being present with members of the Church in all that life brings.
- He or she is a priest, leading the congregation in the celebration of the mysteries of Christ’s Body and blood and in the offering to God of our spiritual sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. The priest declares God’s forgiveness to penitent sinners, pronounces God’s blessing and leads the congregation in the celebration of the sacraments.
- The priest is a teacher. Priests share in the baptismal charge to al Christians to proclaim by word and deed the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the priests’ particular responsibility to preach, to instruct the members in the faith, and to prepare members for baptism and confirmation.
The Priest is also responsible for institutional community building, sharing with the Bishop in the overseeing of the Church.
Formation shall include theological training, practical experience, emotional development, and spiritual formation.
In this diocese this canonical requirement is further defined as below:
Priests must be academically trained in:
- The Holy Scriptures.
- Church History, including the Ecumenical Movement.
- Christian Theology, including Missionary Theology and Missiology.
- Christian Ethics and Moral Theology.
- Studies in contemporary society, including the historical and contemporary experience of racial and minority groups, and cross-cultural ministry skills. Cross-cultural ministry skills may include the ability to communicate in a contemporary language other than one’s first language.
- Liturgics and Church Music; Christian Worship and Music according to the contents and use of the Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnal, and authorized supplemental texts.
- Theory and practice of ministry, including leadership, and the ministries of evangelism and stewardship.
Preparation for ordination shall include training regarding
- prevention of sexual misconduct.
- civil requirements for reporting and pastoral opportunities for responding to evidence of abuse.
- the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church, particularly Title IV thereof.
- the Church’s teaching on racism.
Further formation for ordination shall include
- Evidence of spiritual development and discipline. Priests will be expected to live a Rule of Life, which includes prayer, immersion in Scripture, self-examination and regular study.
- Practical training and experience in a field education setting designed for each candidate.
How does one “do” this formation?
There are multiple aspects of formation, as is evidenced above. Part of the task is simply to find and take the various diocesan classes such as those on racism and sexual misconduct. As a candidate you will be assigned field education, and should be in close conversation with the Canon for Ministry Development concerning this work and how to structure it. Academic education can take place in a variety of ways, seminary is clearly the preferred option for those who can avail themselves of it. The DCOTE has ministry weekends and summer seminary opportunities which consist of reading assignments prior to the event, class, and then work following. You will be given reading lists of books to read, you should take notes and record what you learn! There are a variety of on-line opportunities for classes such as those offered by EDS and CDSP. Vancouver School of Theology has week long summer classes, as do many of our American Episcopal seminaries. Ask the local clergy to participate in a book study program.
Based on your past experience and education, you will need to develop a formation plan, this should be done in consultation with DCOTE. Ask the Canon for Ministry Development for help.
Demonstration of formation - the portfolio
Each candidate needs to demonstrate evidence of formation in the canonical areas listed above. Evidence is the way you show what you can do and what you have learned. Each candidate will put together a portfolio which lists the various canonical areas, and provides evidence of competence.
Such evidence may be:
- Paper-based, written notes or reports on meetings or seminars, reports by other of something you did, papers you have written. Notes on books you have read, sermons, teacher comments, notes from classes, projects from classes - anything in paper form.
- Witness evidence from a mentor or another person who experienced you in action such as visiting in the hospital or planning a liturgy. When you do something ask someone to write up a report with feedback and include this in the portfolio.
- A video or audio recording of you doing a particular action such as preaching a sermon or giving a presentation
- Any other form you can come up with, provided it can be easily understood by someone else and really does “show what you know.”
The process of collecting evidence can start as soon as possible. Ask the COM for advice and suggestions about what is needed. Talk with your mentor about areas you still need to develop and learn, ask about ways to fill in the gaps.
Remember - keep everything, don’t destroy anything which might provide evidence of work!
Everyone should get a “portfolio creation tool” which will help explain that there are topics which you need to demonstrate competence in, there are resources with which to use, and there is a variety of ways to provide evidence of such competence.
We do not want anyone floundering due to confusion about what is necessary - ask if you need help!