The Process for the
Recruitment, Discernment, Formation, and Assessment of Readiness thereof
for the Sacred Order of Deacons
in the Diocese of Spokane
Spring 2010
The individual discernment
When an individual believes that he or she is being called into a particular ministry, that person should make this known to the local priest, or if there is no priest in the congregation, to the senior warden or bishop’s warden, or to the regional dean. It is expected that the individual has engaged in a period of prayer and reflection regarding this sense of call.
Notification and conversation with the Bishop
After conversation with the local priest or appropriate ecclesiastical authority, it is the expectation of the Bishop that the priest and aspirant have a conversation with the Bishop concerning this sense of call. This is to take place prior to engaging in any formal parish discernment.
Discernment within the local faith community
Upon notification to a parish warden or priest (or regional dean) of a person seeking formal discernment, and upon approval of the Bishop, the COM shall be notified, a local faith community discernment committee formed, and the COM shall provide training for that committee. It is the expectation of the COM that no local discernment committee will undertake the work of that committee without first having training in that work by the COM. This local discernment committee will work with the individual for a period of time that shall not be less than six months, and may be more.
At the completion of this period of time the local discernment committee shall write a report that includes the following: what particular ministry the individual and committee has discerned that the individual has been called to, what strengths this person brings to this ministry, what areas of growth are identified, what concerns are expressed.
The report of the discernment committee is sent to the vestry. The vestry (or bishop’s committee) interviews the individual, and decides whether or not to nominate the individual to the Bishop for Postulancy. The vestry should have received and be familiar with the “suggestions for interviewing and the ordination process” from the COM prior to this interview.
If the vestry recommends nominating the individual for Postulancy, the report of the discernment committee is included with the letter of nomination.
The local faith community shall put into the nomination letter their full and complete understanding that this nomination for Postulancy involves the commitment of the community to 1) contribute financially to the preparation and 2) involve itself in the nominee’s preparation for ordination, as is required by the Canons of this Church.
After the nomination for Postulancy has been sent to the Bishop, and the individual has written their acceptance of that nomination, the Bishop may decide to formally interview the individual. This interview usually includes the parish priest, or representative of the local faith community.
The Bishop makes the decision to either send on the nomination letter to the COM, or advise the individual regarding continuing discernment within the local faith community.
Upon receipt of the letter of nomination from the Bishop, the COM will ask the individual to fill out the Postulancy application. Upon completion of that Postulancy application, the individual will be invited to interview with the COM. After that interview, the COM makes a recommendation to the Bishop regarding Postulancy. The recommendation from the COM will include the COM’s perception of strengthens, weaknesses, and areas of concern or growth, and will be sent to the Bishop, the individual, and local discernment committee.
The Bishop may grant Postulancy at this time, or may decline to grant Postulancy.
Postulancy – discernment within the wider diocesan community – 1 year
Postulancy is considered a period a discernment within the wider faith community as well as continuing discernment in the local faith community. Postulancy involves continued exploration and decision about the Postulant’s call to Holy Orders. The COM’s recommendation to grant Postulancy makes no assumption that the individual will be ordained. This is simply granting permission to continue with formal discernment.
During Postulancy the postulant shall:
- Complete the medical examination required, the forms are available in the diocesan office.
- Complete the psychological examination required. A fee of $150 is paid to the diocese, only approved diocesan psychologists are allowed, the diocesan office has the list of those approved.
- Complete a background check
- Compete the required financial paperwork
- Continue to meet with the local faith community discernment committee
- Undertake an assignment, usually in a different congregation, given by the Bishop and the COM which is designed to further explore the call to ministry
- Participate in the formal Diocesan Postulancy program.
- Every postulant shall communicate with the Bishop, or ecclesiastical authority, by letter four times a year, in the Ember weeks, reflecting on progress in personal, spiritual, and educational development. Failure to do so indicates a lack of desire to proceed.
The postulant, after completing the above requirements, shall request from the COM the formal candidacy application paperwork. The postulant shall have an interview with the vestry or Bishop’s committee, which shall write a recommendation to the COM on the postulant’s application for candidacy. If the postulant has been assigned discernment work in a different congregation, a letter from that congregation is also required. It is the postulant’s responsibility for ensuring that all formal paperwork is to the COM at least 30 days prior to any interview for candidacy. No interview for candidacy shall be scheduled without a complete application file.
The COM shall interview the Postulant regarding their application for Candidacy. The COM will send a written recommendation to the Bishop and the Standing Committee regarding the application for Candidacy. This recommendation will also be sent to the Postulant and the local faith community.
The Standing Committee shall interview the Postulant regarding their application for Candidacy, and make a recommendation to the Bishop.
The Bishop will make a decision regarding granting Candidacy or denying such application.
Candidacy – 2 years
Candidacy is a program of formation, skills development, academic preparedness and ongoing discernment. In the words of the Canons of our Church, “candidacy is a time of education and formation in preparation for ordination, established by formal commitment by the Candidate, the Bishop, the Commission, the Standing Committee, and the congregation or other community of faith.”
During candidacy the candidate shall:
• Undertake a program of field education
• Will be assigned a formal mentor
• Engage in academic study
• Participate in the Diocesan program of deacon formation
• Every postulant shall communicate with the Bishop, or ecclesiastical authority, by letter four times a year, in the Ember weeks, reflecting on progress in personal, spiritual, and educational development. Failure to do so indicates a lack of desire to proceed.
The Candidate, upon completion of the above, shall request from the COM the application for ordination.
The vestry or Bishop’s Committee shall interview the candidate and make a recommendation to the Bishop regarding ordination.
Upon receipt of the complete application packet for ordination the COM will schedule an interview with the Candidate. The COM will make their recommendation regarding ordination to the Bishop and the Standing Committee
The Standing Committee shall interview the candidate, and make a recommendation to the Bishop.
Ordination and post-ordination
The Bishop may ordain the Candidate.
The Canons of this Church require continuing education and formation for Priests and Deacons. The Bishop may require an accounting of said continuing education. Currently the Arch Deacon is responsible for collection of continuing education reports from all Deacons.
A flow chart of this narrative
Individual sense of call
Individual makes this known to local faith community
The local priest and individual meet with the Bishop
Discernment in local faith community
Local community decides to recommend for nomination
If Yes
Bishop may interview
Bishop decides to send on to COM
If yes
COM interviews and recommends concerning Postulancy
Bishop decides upon granting Postulancy
If yes
Postulancy
Continuing discernment and Postulancy requirements
COM interviews and recommends concerning Candidacy
Standing Committee interviews and recommends concerning Candidacy
Bishop decides upon granting Candidacy
If yes
Candidacy
Complete minimum academic and formation requirements
Complete all application process for ordination
COM interviews and recommends concerning Ordination
Standing Committee interviews and recommends concerning Ordination
Bishop may Ordain