Introduction
What follows is the procedure for the recruitment, discernment, and formation for Holy Orders and assessment of readiness thereof in the Diocese.
The individual discernment
When an individual believes that they are 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.
Discernment within the local faith community
Upon notification to a warden or priest (or regional dean) of a person seeking formal discernment, 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: to what particular ministry the individual and committee has discerned that the individual has been called, what strengths this person brings to this ministry, what areas of growth are identified, and what concerns are expressed.
The report of the discernment committee is sent to the vestry or bishop’s committee. This body interviews the individual and decides whether or not to nominate the individual to the Bishop for Postulancy. The vestry/bishop’s committee should have received and become 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 nominee’s 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 interview the individual. This interview usually includes the priest, or representative of the local faith community.
The Bishop makes the decision to either send on the nomination letter to the COM, or advises 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
Postulancy is considered a period of 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.
During Postulancy the postulant shall:
- Complete the medical examination required
- Complete the psychological examination required
- Complete a background check
- Compete the required financial paperwork
- Set up (and may begin) a program of study in consultation with the Bishop and the Diocesan Commission on Theological Education (DCOTE)
- Continue to meet with the local faith community discernment committee (for those in seminary this local faith community naturally has changed)
- Develop a written spiritual autobiography (using the guidelines from the COM concerning this document)
- 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, upon discerning that they are ready, 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. The appropriate report from the formal program of study, be it seminary or DCOTE, shall be sent to the COM. It is the postulant’s responsibility to ensure 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 the granting or denial of their application for Candidacy.
Candidacy
Candidacy is continuing discernment, formation and skills development, and academic preparedness. 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
- Be assigned a formal mentor
- Engage in academic study
- Be examined by the Board of Examining Chaplains or take the General Ordination Exams to the satisfaction of the Board of Examining Chaplains and the Bishop
- Every candidate 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 discerning readiness, 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.
If the ordination is to the Transitional Diaconate, the Deacon will provide the COM with a report of their work (forms provided) prior to the COM recommending them to the Standing Committee for ordination to the Priesthood. The COM and Standing Committee may each require an interview.
The Canons of this Church require continuing education and formation for Priests and Deacons. The Bishop may require an accounting of said continuing education.