PRIESTHOOD DISCERNMENT PROCESS HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 PRIESTHOOD DISCERNMENT PROCESS HANDBOOK Episcopal Diocese of Missouri Offices of the Bishop 1210 Locust Street St. Louis, MO Phone: Website: Revised 2012

2 Table of Contents Letter from the Bishop 5 Priesthood Discernment Process Overview 6 Postulancy for the Priesthood (PP) Application Part 1 7 PP 1 Discernment Group Report (form available) PP 2 Priest-in-Charge report (form available) PP 3 Vestry/Bishop s committee letter of support (form available) PP 4 Application form (form available) PP 5 Spiritual autobiography (form available) PP 6 Vision Statement (form available) PP 7 Self-Disclosure form (form available) PP 8 Personal check for $ (form available) PP 9 Congregation s check for $ (form available) Postulancy for the Priesthood (PP) Application Part 2 8 PP 11 Background Check (no form) PP 12a Life History Questionnaire (form available) PP 12b Behavior Screening Questionnaire (form available) PP 13 Medical examination (form available) PP 14 Complete Church Pension Group (online) Postulancy for the Priesthood (PP) Application Part 3 9 PP 14, PP 15, PP 16 Postulancy Application Review (no form) Postulancy for the Priesthood (PP) Application Part 4 10 PP 17 Commission on Ministry Postulancy Interview (no form) PP 18 Postulancy Interview with Bishop Smith to receive COM recommendation (no form) Following Acceptance as Postulant for the Priesthood (PP) Part 5 11 PP 19 Apply and enroll in seminary or divinity school (no form) PP 20 Meet with designated financial advisor (no form) PP 21 Meet with the Diocesan Board of Examining Chaplains (DBEC) (form available) Candidacy for the Priesthood (CP) Application Part I 14 CP1 Formal application requesting candidacy (form available) CP 2 Certificate of priest and vestry/bishop s committee (form available) CP 3 Annual transcripts (no form) CP 4 Evaluation from seminary (no form) CP 5 CPE evaluations (no form) CP 6 Evaluation of field experience (no form) Candidacy for the Priesthood (CP) Application Part 2 14 CP 7 DBEC has reviewed formation plan and certified it as halfway (form available) CP 8 Commission on Ministry candidacy interview at Diocesan Convention (form available) CP 9 Meeting with the Bishop to receive COM recommendation. (no form) CP 10 Standing Committee interview and approval. (form available) Following Acceptance as Candidate for the Priesthood (CP) Part 3 14 Page 2

3 Table of Contents continued Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate (OTD) Application Part 1 15 OTD1 Formal application for ordination to diaconate) (form available) OTD2 Certificate from vestry/bishop s committee and priest (form available) OTD3 Current seminary transcript (no form) OTD4 Evaluation and recommendation from seminary (no form) OTD5 Additional evaluation of field education. (no form) OTD6 Update background check, if necessary (no form) OTD7 Update physical examination, if necessary (no form) OTD8 Update psychiatric evaluation, if necessary (no form) OTD9 Safeguarding God s Children workshop (no form) OTD10 Safeguarding God s People workshop (no form) OTD11 Constitutions and Canons (Title IV) workshop (no form) OTD12 Dismantling Racism Leadership workshop (no form) OTD 13 Ordination Service Planning Worksheet (form available) Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate (OTD) Application Part 2 16 OTD14 DBEC certification of continued progress on formation plan (form available) OTD15 COM certification for ordination (form available) OTD16 Standing Committee certification (form available) OTD17 Ordination Planning Worksheet returned (no form) Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate (OTD) Application Part 3 17 Ordination to the Priesthood (OP) Application Part 1 20 OP1 Formal application for ordination to priesthood (form available) OP2 Certificate of Priest and Vestry/Bishop's Committee (form available) OP3 Completed formation plan (no form) OP4 Final transcript from seminary (no form) OP5 Evaluation and recommendation from seminary (no form) OP6 Additional evaluation of field education (no form) OP7 Update background check, if necessary (no form) OP8 Update psychological evaluation, if necessary (no form) OP9 Update medical evaluation, if necessary (no form) Ordination to the Priesthood (OP) Application Part 2 21 OP12 DBEC has reviewed formation plan and certified it as complete (form available) OP13 COM certification for ordination (form available) OP14 Approval of the Standing Committee (form available) OP15 Ordination planning worksheet returned (no form) OP16 Ordination Service Planning Worksheet (no form) APPENDIX A: Priest-in-Charge letter 23 APPENDIX B: Guidelines for Forming a Discernment Committee 24 APPENDIX C: Introduction to Discernment 25 APPENDIX D: Ministry Opportunities & Training for Baptized Persons 38 APPENDIX E: Vestry or Bishop s Committee Recommendation 43 FORMS 44 PP1 Discernment Committee Report PP 2 Priest-in-Charge s report PP 3 Vestry/Bishop s committee letter of support PP 4 Application form PP 5 Spiritual autobiography PP 6 Vision Statement PP 7 Self-Disclosure form Page 3

4 Table of Contents continued FORMS (continued) 44 PP 8 Personal check for $ PP 9 Congregation s check for $ PP 12a Life History Questionnaire PP 12b Behavior Screening Questionnaire PP 13 Medical examination PP 21 Meet with the Diocesan Board of Examining Chaplains (DBEC) and formulate a formation plan CP1 Formal application requesting candidacy CP 2 Certificate of priest and vestry/bishop s committee CP 7 DBEC has reviewed formation plan and certified it as halfway CP 8 Commission on Ministry candidacy interview at Diocesan Convention CP 10 Standing Committee interview and approval OTD1 Formal application for ordination to diaconate OTD2 Certificate from vestry/bishop s committee and priest OTD 13 Ordination Service Planning Worksheet OTD14 DBEC certification of continued progress on formation plan OTD15 COM certification for ordination OTD16 Standing Committee certification OP1 Formal application for ordination to priesthood OP2 Certificate of Priest and Vestry/Bishop's Committee OP12 DBEC has reviewed formation plan and certified it as complete OP13 COM certification for ordination OP14 Approval of the Standing Committee Page 4

5 As you open this handbook to begin the process of discernment, I trust that you know that you are indeed called by God called into existence at your birth, called into ministry through the waters of Baptism. The principles you will read in this book assume that you have been called already. The spiritual exercise upon which you are beginning will push you and your community to ask the question: Called into what? I ask you to listen carefully to three voices God s voice, the community s voice, and your own, in order to answer this question adequately. The impulse for many seekers who would know God s call is to focus on two voices only, so that the conversation becomes between the individual and God. Such an impulse is misleading. In the worst cases, it leads to self-absorption, not helpful either in ministry or its discernment. It is the middle term here, the voice of the community, which will likely prove crucial for your work. Pay attention to it. Much of this book, in fact, is about listening to the voice of your communities the people in your congregation, your priest, your bishop, your family, the Commission on Ministry, the Standing Committee, various examiners, and others. Perhaps most important in the mix will be a discernment group in your local community of faith, be it parish, mission, or chaplaincy. You will spend many hours in this setting. This team will provide a small-group setting to reflect with you on personal and communal aspects of call to ministry. It will give you a chance to test your leadership within a part of the faith community. The exchanges there should, over time, give both you and your discernment group some clues about a vocation to ministry, ordained or otherwise. It should also establish a healthy climate for challenging assumptions about ministry and offering support through the process. The various ministries of the church emerge from the life of a community or not at all. Ministry, in whatever order, exists for the building up of the body of Christ, which in turn endures as God s gift, a witness to and servant of God s reign in the world. Ministry is not primarily about an individual; it is about us all of us who are knit into Christ s body the Church. These ministries in turn look to the community for meaning and purpose. Deprived of this point of reference, both ministers and Church languish. May the work ahead be life-giving for you. Or, to use the language of the Prayer Book, May the Lord who has given you the will to do these things give you the grace and power to perform them. Whatever your calling may be. Ever faithfully, in Christ, The Rt. Rev. George Wayne Smith Tenth Bishop of Missouri Page 5

6 Priesthood Discernment Process Overview (with Canonical References) 1. Aspirant regularly attends his/her congregation for at least one year. 2. Aspirant discusses discernment with Priest-in-Charge, including all costs associated with the discernment process. 3. Where appropriate, the Priest-in-Charge recommends attendance at Annual Discernment Conference. Attendance is ideally recommended as early as possible, and is required at least once. 4. For congregations in transition: If permanent Priest-in-charge is anticipated within a two year period, Aspirant must wait until new clergy is in place. If the anticipated process is more than two years away, a mentoring priest may be assigned at the Bishop s discretion. 5. Priest-in-Charge (or alternately Mentoring Priest) certifies that the Aspirant has been an attending, active member of the congregation for at least one year and agrees to applicant s making a formal appointment with the Bishop. APPENDIX A. 6. Aspirant composes 500 word essay explaining his/her goals and intentions for ministry. This document needs to be submitted at least one week prior to an initial meeting with Bishop Smith. 7. Aspirant calls/ s the Discernment Coordinator to confirm Priest-in-Charge s letter (APPENDIX A)and essay have arrived at discernment@diocesemo.org or The Discernment Coordinator will instruct Aspirant to call the Bishop s Executive Assistant, in the Offices of the Bishop at or to make a formal appointment with the Bishop. 9. With the Bishop s consent, a congregational Discernment Committee is formed and trained by the Commission on Ministry. SEE APPENDIX B. 10. Discernment Coordinator will Priest-in-Charge and Aspirant, directing them to the Commission on Ministry. The Aspirant will /contact the Chair of Commission on Ministry (cc: the Discernment Coordinator) to begin the Discernment Committee training process. The Discernment Committee and Aspirant meet regularly over a 3-6 month period in which Aspirant completes his/her spiritual autobiography and vision statement for ministry. SEE APPENDIX C. 11. At the end of the Discernment Committee s work, the Discernment Committee and Priest-in- Charge complete their respective reports. If these two reports favor continued discernment toward ordination, the Priest-in-Charge shares the reports with the Vestry/Bishop s Committee. If these two reports indicate a call to continued lay ministry, the Aspirant may access resources for continued discernment Found in APPENDIX D. If the Committee favors continued discernment toward ordination, the Priest-in-Charge completes his/her report and shares the reports with the Vestry/Bishop s Committee reviews these reports and determines whether or not to certify recommendation for postulancy. SEE APPENDIX E. Page 6

7 Postulancy for the Priesthood (PP) Application Part 1 All the following need to be included in a packet sent to the Bishop by the Priest-in-Charge of process. Copies of these documents must be kept at the sponsoring parish: PP1 Discernment Group Report (form available) PP 2 Priest-in-Charge report (form available) PP 3 Vestry/Bishop s committee letter of support (form available) PP 4 Application form. (III.6.2.(b)) (form available) PP 5 Spiritual autobiography (max of 10 pages double-spaced or 5 single-spaced) (form available) Priesthood Discernment Process Steps (with Canonical References) PP 6 Vision Statement (form available) PP 7 Self-Disclosure form (form available) PP 8 Personal check for $ (form available) PP 9 Congregation s check for $ (form available) All forms are available at the back of this handbook, and as Microsoft Word.doc files online at Postulancy for the Priesthood (PP) Application Mail completed application with all forms to: Discernment Coordinator Offices of the Bishop 1210 Locust Street St. Louis, MO Application Fee Details: What Applicant Sponsoring Congregation Diocesan Budget $270 Background and credit checks* *new policy as of September 2008 $130 $150 $150 Initial psychological review Psychiatric evaluation (at the Bishop s discretion) $420 estimated $400 $150 $570 Total Page 7

8 Postulancy for the Priesthood (PP) Application Part 2 Aspirant will be notified upon receipt of Part 1. At that time, Part 2 may begin. Letter from the Bishop will be sent. Requires minimum of 8 weeks to complete, includes: PP 11 Background Check (no form) PP 12a Life History Questionnaire, for psychological evaluation (form available) PP 12b Behavior Screening Questionnaire, for psych. Evaluation (form available) PP 13 Medical examination (form available) PP 14 Complete Church Pension Group s PlanAhead online worksheets (online) Completion of Part 2 must include: PP11 Background Check Final Report from Oxford Document Management Co. Inc. and LexisNexis This background check is automatically initiated by the Discernment Coordinator upon receipt of the entirety of Part 1. Two sets of forms will be sent to the applicant. 1) Oxford will send forms to the applicant s home address. The applicant should watch for a conspicuous envelope from Oxford arriving in the mail. It is not junk mail! Completion of the background check begins with the completion of Oxford s forms. Any delays in returning those forms delays completion of the background check and can subsequently delay the postulancy application process. Oxford is now charging an extra fee to resend lost or discarded forms. 2) the Canon to the Ordinary will forms to the applicant, which should be printed, signed and returned via the US Postal Service or FAX PP12 Psychological Evaluation Report from Care and Counseling Contact information and permission to make an appointment with Care and Counseling is automatically available upon receipt of the entirety of Part 1. The psychological evaluation occurs with about two visits and requires a minimum of six weeks between sessions. The accompanying forms Life History Questionnaire and Behavior Screening Questionnaire must be completed and sent to Care and Counseling prior to the initial appointment. PP13 Medical Exam Report The accompanying Medical Exam Report form is to be completed by the applicant s personal physician at applicant s expense. Applicant s responsibilities: Meet with a Spiritual Director Regularly Meeting with a spiritual director should become part of the applicant s Rule of Life. The contact information for spiritual directors can be found at or by contacting Aquinas Institute in St. Louis, or Discernment Coordinator, at or Attend the Diocesan Discernment Conference within the twelve-month period prior to the Postulancy Application Review meeting. The discernment conference is an extended period of time where members of the Commission on Ministry (COM) and individuals in the discernment process can gather to become better acquainted with each other, the discernment process, and the roles of ministry. All participants are expected to attend the entire conference which usually is scheduled for two days and one night. Participants should plan to attend the conference at their expense, except inasmuch as their sponsoring congregations provide support. Limited scholarships may be available from the COM s budget. Ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed. Keep a copy of any paperwork. Inform the Discernment Coordinator, of any contact information changes. Page 8

9 Postulancy for the Priesthood (PP) Application Part 3 PP14 Discernment Coordinator will contact the Postulant when form PD-Part2 is received. (no form) PP 15 Upon affirmation from Discernment Coordinator, Aspirant will call the Bishop s Executive Assistant, in the Offices of the Bishop at or to make an appointment with the Bishop for a Postulancy Application Review. (no form) PP16 Postulancy Application Review: Aspirant meets with the Bishop. Bishop may recommend an interview with the Commission on Ministry. (III.6.3.(a)2) (no form) Page 9

10 Postulancy for the Priesthood (PP) Application Part 4 Aspirant is notified by Discernment Coordinator if recommended for postulancy interview with the Commission on Ministry. PP 17 Commission on Ministry Postulancy Interview (III.6.3 (b)) (no form) PP 18 Postulancy Interview with Bishop Smith to receive COM recommendation. Upon receipt of COM recommendation and report, the Bishop determines whether or not to grant Postulancy. Aspirant is informed of status at this meeting. A support person is recommended to accompany Aspirant to this meeting (but may not attend the meeting). (no form) When Postulancy has been granted, formal education and formation begins. The Bishop outlines expectations for formation and education which are then submitted to the Chair of the Commission on Ministry and the Chair of the Diocesan Examining Board of Chaplains (DBEC) for information and records. SEE APPENDIX D. The normative process for priestly training is attendance at a 3-year residential seminary. Other avenues must be discussed and approved by the Bishop. Applicant s responsibilities: Continue meeting with a spiritual director. Ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed. Keep a copy of any paperwork. Inform the Discernment Coordinator of any contact information changes. Interview Schedule and Structure Schedule: The COM has set aside time for at least two postulancy interviews during each of its 6 regular meeting days on Saturdays throughout the year. The COM s meeting schedule is posted on the online diocesan calendar at The COM may interview applicants upon the Bishop s Postulancy Application Review recommendation with at least two weeks' notice prior to the next regular COM meeting. Scheduling opportunities are limited and applicants should ensure that the prerequisites for a postulancy interview are completed in a timely manner. Structure: Each Applicant will meet with the entire COM in a 45 minute plenary session. After this session they are finished for the day. The COM writes its recommendation to Bishop Smith at the end of the postulancy interview. The Applicant receives the COM s recommendation during his/her appointment with Bishop Smith. Page 10

11 Following Acceptance as Postulant for the Priesthood (PP) Part 5 PP 19 Apply and enroll in seminary or divinity school Master of Divinity program, with guidance of the Bishop. (no form) PP 20 Meet with designated financial advisor regarding PlanAhead worksheets (no form) PP 21 Meet with the Diocesan Board of Examining Chaplains (DBEC) and formulate a formation plan, according to the following canons. (III.6.3 (b)), (III.6.5) (form available) Ember Day Letters are to be sent to the Bishop in a timely manner. These letters may be sent to other individuals, but it is the intention that these letters be private correspondence between postulants and the Bishop. The Postulant should continue regular communication with their Sponsoring congregation, and COM Liaison. (III.6.3 (e)) Attend the Annual Discernment Conference. Enroll and complete one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at the end of the first year of seminary. Other important responsibilities: Inform yourself: Read Title III, Canons 8 and 9 of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church. Plan Ahead: Apply for scholarships. Complete one unit of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) during the summer between the junior and middler (first and second) years of seminary. Sign up for field education as your seminary requires. Sometime before ordination, attend canonically required workshops: 1) Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse: Safe Guarding God s Children, 2) Issues of Sexual Harassment, 3) Dismantling Racism Leadership Workshop, and 4) Title IV Overview. Ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed and sent to the Discernment Coordinator. Keep a copy of any paperwork. Communicate: Attend Diocesan Discernment Conference annually. Communicate with the Bishop during Ember Days. Communicate regularly (Ember Days) with assigned COM liaison. Communicate regularly (Ember Days) with sponsoring congregation and priest. If you need a specific response from the Bishop Smith (i.e. a recommendation for a scholarship, permission for a specific activity, etc.) write a letter or to him with a copy to the Discernment Coordinator. Do not include such requests in Ember Day letters. Inform the Discernment Coordinator of any contact information changes. Page 11

12 Explanation of Terms: The Designated Financial Advisor is usually a member of the Commission on Ministry (COM) or Bishop s Staff who will review with the postulant his/her online financial worksheet from the Church Pension Group s website. The Bishop shall consult with the nominee regarding financial resources which will be available for the support of the Postulant throughout preparation for ordination. During Postulancy and later Candidacy, the Bishop or someone appointed by the Bishop shall review periodically the financial condition and plans of the Postulant. (Constitution and Canons III.8.3(a)(3)) As of 2005, the average debt of seminary middlers was $35,000 (Source: Society for the Increase of the Ministry CREDO (Clergy Reflection, Education, Discernment Opportunity has identified debt as one of the two major obstacles of clergy vocational fulfillment. Seminary education can cost a total of $90,000 including tuition, fees, and cost of living. The 2006 Diocese of Missouri standard minimum clergy cash compensat io n is $47,200 (166th Diocesan Annual Convention Resolution A-166). Scholarships: The national Office for Ministry Development provides a free publication Sources of Financial Assistance ( for theological studies. Federal Government Financial Aid: studentaid.ed.gov Diocese of Missouri Theological Education Fund Grant Application: The Diocesan Board of Examining Chaplains (DBEC) is an eight-member board appointed by the Bishop. Visit the Diocesan Info Center at for a DBEC roster. Although most members of the DBEC are not COM members, the DBEC functions as a subcommittee of the COM. The DBEC is charged with crafting formation plans for ordination and certifying to the COM, the Bishop and the Standing Committee that all canonical formation requirements have been completed prior to ordination. The DBEC reviews General Ordination Exams (GOEs) and makes recommendations for any necessary remedial studies. (See OTD Part 3 for further explanation of GOEs.) The Formation Plan outlines the diocesan and nationally required areas of formation and expected methods for achieving competency in those areas prior to ordination. (See Constitution and Canons III.8.5) The DBEC considers previous education and formation and family/life circumstances when crafting formation plans for postulants. All baptized Christians are encouraged to further their theological education and formation for the purpose of individual and community edification. No one should undertake a course of study prior to postulancy with the agenda of forming for the priesthood. There are basically three types of formation for the priesthood: Masters of Divinity degree at an Episcopal seminary or Masters of Divinity degree through Eden Theological Seminary with the addition of Anglican studies. Reading for Orders is normally reserved for those who have previous graduate level credits. This type of formation involves tutorials, independent readings, hodge-podge courses through Eden seminary or Aquinas Institute, which often require more than three years to complete. A priest who has used this type for formation often serves as a bi-vocational priest, keeping a day job and receiving a part-time salary or being a non-stipendiary priest. This type of priest s formation is often only credible in his/her sponsoring diocese, which significantly limits a priest s mobility. Local Priesthood formation is reserved for those who the Offices of the Bishop have approved and whose vestry/bishop s committee have concurred. This type of formation uses a portfolio method. The portfolio method accumulates numerous types of evidence to indicate that the postulant has gained competency in diocesan and nationally required areas. The DBEC assigns a portfolio mentor who works with the postulant to determine methods for obtaining competencies. Only the Bishop, the COM, and the DBEC in collaboration with the postulant may determine the appropriate course of study for formation for the priesthood. Page 12

13 Explanation of Terms (cont.): CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) can be taken in a full-time summer unit or a part-time extended unit over a period of several months. Seminary students are encouraged to complete one unit of CPE during the summer between their junior and middler years. Completion of CPE is required for candidacy interviews during the middler year of seminary. Delaying CPE beyond this time period will extend the ordination process. For more detailed information about CPE, visit: Field Education is a time to learn, observe, and try out new and different parts of ministry. Postulants are encouraged to seek out field education placement that meet the following criteria: 1) A ministry placement different than one previously known to the postulant in order to broaden one s perspective of ministry (i.e. church/ministry size, type, setting, geographical location, etc.), and 2) A ministry placement that will inform the postulant for his/her future ministry (i.e. business of the church: vestry meetings, parochial reports, budgeting, staff administration; conflict management; program planning and design; etc.). Required Workshops: Prior to ordination individuals in the ordination process are required to attend four seminars/workshops: 1) Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse: Safe Guarding God s Children, 2) Issues of Sexual Harassment, 3) Dismantling Racism Leadership Workshop, 4) Title IV Overview. Each of these workshops is offered at least once each year within the Diocese of Missouri. Check the online diocesan calendar for future workshop dates Seminarians are encouraged to attend these workshops prior to leaving for seminary or while at seminary. Most seminaries provide these workshops on campus. Certificates of completion are to be mailed to the Discernment Coordinator. Plan to attend these workshops earlier rather than later. A non-completed workshop will delay ordination. Ember Days: Postulants, candidates, and transitional deacons are required to write a letter or to their bishop during each set of Ember Days. There are four sets of Ember Days each year. They are the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday following the First Sunday in Lent, Pentecost, Holy Cross Day (September 14), and December 13. Mark your calendar! Ember Letters are intended to reflect on the postulant s and candidate s academic experience and personal and spiritual development (III.8.3). Do not put anything in your Ember Day letter that requires a specific response from the Bishop. Make such requests separately, and copy that communication to Discernment Coordinator. Ember Day Letters may be sent via to bishop@diocesemo.org. Postulants, candidates, and transitional deacons are also requested to communicate with their sponsoring congregation and priest and their COM liaison during Ember Days. COM Liaison Relationships: Members of the Commission on Ministry are designated as liaisons to individual postulants and candidates. Liaison assignments are made at the regular COM meeting following acceptance as a postulant. Liaisons will make the initial contact with the postulant. Liaisons provide a mechanism for maintaining communication between a seminarian and his/her sponsoring diocese. Questions about the ordination process may be directed to the COM liaison. Postulants, candidates, and transitional deacons have dual roles during Diocesan Discernment Conferences. The first role is that of continued formation and communication with the COM. The second role is that of informal mentor of explorers seeking information about the ordination process. Postulants, candidates, and transitional deacons should plan to attend and travel to the conference at their expense, except inasmuch as their sponsoring congregations provide support. Limited scholarships may be available from the COM s budget. Page 13

14 Candidacy for the Priesthood (CP) Application Part I CP1 Formal application requesting candidacy. (III.6.4 (a)) (form available) CP 2 Certificate of priest and vestry/bishop s committee. (III.8.4(a)2) (form available) CP 3 Annual transcripts (III.8.4(b)) (no form) CP 4 Evaluation from seminary. (III.8.4(b)) (no form) CP 5 CPE evaluations (student s and supervisor s). (III.6.4(b)) (no form) CP 6 Evaluation of field experience (III.8.4(b) (no form) Candidacy for the Priesthood (CP) Application Part 2 CP 7 DBEC has reviewed formation plan and certified it as halfway. (III.8.4(b)) (form available) CP 8 Commission on Ministry candidacy interview at Diocesan Convention. (III.8.4(b)) (form available) CP 9 Meeting with the Bishop to receive COM recommendation. (III.8.4(b)) (no form) CP 10 Standing Committee interview and approval. (III.8.4(b)) (form available) Following Acceptance as Candidate for the Priesthood (CP) Part 3 Continue to communicate with the Bishop during Ember Days. Continue to communicate with sponsoring congregation, and COM liaison. (III.8.5(i)) Attend Annual Discernment Conference. Meet with Canon to the Ordinary, regarding placement after graduation Page 14

15 Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate (OTD) Application Part 1 OTD1 Formal application for ordination to diaconate (III.8.6(c)(1)) (form available) OTD2 Certificate from vestry/bishop s committee and priest. (III.8.6(c)(2)) (form available) OTD3 Current seminary transcript. (III.8.6(c)(4)) (no form) OTD4 Evaluation and recommendation from seminary. (III.8.6(c)(4)) (no form) OTD5 Additional evaluation of field education. (no form) OTD6 Update background check, if necessary. (III.8.5(k)(1)) (no form) OTD7 Update physical examination, if necessary. (III.8.5(k)(2)) (no form) OTD8 Update psychiatric evaluation, if necessary. (III.8.5(k)(2)) (no form) OTD9 Safeguarding God s Children workshop, available online (III.8.5(h)) (no form) OTD10 Safeguarding God s People workshop, available online (III.8.5(h)) (no form) OTD11 Constitutions and Canons (Title IV) workshop (III.8.5(h)) (no form) OTD12 Dismantling Racism Leadership workshop (III.8.5(h)) (no form) OTD 13 Ordination Service Planning Worksheet (form available) Page 15

16 Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate (OTD) Application Part 2 OTD14 DBEC certification of continued progress on formation plan. (III.8.6(c)(5)) (form available) OTD15 COM certification for ordination. (III.8.6(c)(5)) (form available) OTD16 Standing Committee certification. (III.8.6(d)) (form available) OTD17 Ordination Planning Worksheet returned (no form) Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate in December of senior year. Minimum of 6 months as a deacon is required. Potential timeline: It is the candidate s responsibility to turn in all materials in a timely manner. A candidate should be in conversation with his/her Bishop and COM liaison regarding potential ordination dates. A candidate should count backwards from the potential ordination date in the following manner in order to determine potential deadlines: Standing Committee s certification should take place at least two months prior to the ordination date. The COM meets approximately six times per year. The COM s certification is required prior to the above Standing Committee date. The DBEC s certification is required prior to the above COM meeting date. The DBEC meets when it has business to conduct. A meeting can be initiated through its chairperson, who is named on the diocesan website. Any delay in receipt of materials is the candidate s responsibility and may delay one s ordination. Ordinand s Declarations Ordinands will be asked to make the following verbal declarations during their ordination. The full text is available in the Book of Common Prayer beginning on page 537. I will be loyal to the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ as this Church has received them. In accordance with the canons of this Church, I will obey my bishop and all other ministers who may have authority over me and my work. I will respect and be guided by the pastoral direction, leadership and authority of my bishop. I will be faithful in prayer, and in the reading and study of the Holy Scriptures. I will look for Christ in all others, being ready to help and serve those in need. I will do my best to pattern my life (and that of my family or household or community) in accordance with the teachings of Christ, so that I may be a wholesome example to all people. I will in all things seek not my glory but the glory of the Lord Christ. The ordinand will also sign the following declaration: I solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church. Page 16

17 Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate (OTD) Application Part 3 General Ordination Exam in January of senior year. The transitional deacon s responsibilities: Take the General Ordination Exams (GOEs) in January of senior year of seminary. For more information on the GOEs visit: Continue following the formation plan from the Diocesan Board of Examining Chaplains. Continue in field education that diversifies the transitional deacon s formation experience. Continue conversation with the Canon to the Ordinary, and the Discernment Coordinator about placement. Apply for ordination to the priesthood in March 1 st of senior year of seminary. Other important responsibilities: Inform yourself: Read Title III Canons 8 and 9 of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church USA. Communicate: Communicate with Bishop Smith during Ember Days. Communicate regularly (Ember Days) with assigned COM Liaison. Communicate regularly (Ember Days) with sponsoring congregation and priest. If you need a specific response from Bishop Smith (i.e. a recommendation for a scholarship, permission for a specific activity, etc.) write a letter or to him with a copy to the Discernment Coordinator. Do not include such requests in Ember Day letters. Attend the Diocesan Discernment Retreat annually. Inform Discernment Coordinator of any contact information changes. Plan Ahead: Sometime before ordination, attend canonically required workshops: 1) Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse: Safe Guarding God s Children, 2) Issues of Sexual Harassment, 3) Dismantling Racism Leadership Workshop, 4) Title IV Overview. Apply for scholarships Ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed and sent to Discernment Coordinator, Offices of the Bishop, 1210 Locust St., St. Louis, MO prior to due date.' Keep a copy of any paperwork. Page 17

18 Explanation of Terms: General Ordination Exam (GOE) is the Episcopal Church s standardized examination of seminarians. The exam takes place over four days in January and covers the seven canonically required areas of competency for ordination to the priesthood. Bishop Smith, the Diocesan Board of Examining Chaplains and the Commission on Ministry use the GOE results as a diagnostic tool for recommending continuing education and post-graduation mentoring. For more information see: Ember Days: Postulants, candidates, and transitional deacons are required to write a letter or to their bishop during each set of Ember Days. There are four sets of Ember Days each year. They are the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday following the First Sunday in Lent, Pentecost, Holy Cross Day (September 14), and December 13. Mark your calendar! Ember Letters are intended to reflect on the postulant s and candidate s academic experience and personal and spiritual development (III.8.3). Do not put anything in your Ember Day letter that requires a specific response from the Bishop. Make such requests separately, and copy that communication to Ralph McMichael, Canon for Ministry Development. Ember Day Letters may be sent via to bishop@diocesemo.org. Postulants, candidates, and transitional deacons are also requested to communicate with their sponsoring congregation and priest and their COM liaison during Ember Days. COM Liaison Relationships: Members of the Commission on Ministry are designated as liaisons to individual postulants and candidates. Liaisons provide a mechanism for maintaining communication between a postulant and candidate and his/her sponsoring diocese. Questions about the ordination process may be directed to the COM liaison. Postulants, candidates, and transitional deacons have dual roles during Diocesan Discernment Conferences. The first role is that of continued formation and communication with the COM. The second role is that of informal mentor of explorers seeking information about the ordination process. Postulants, candidates, and transitional deacons should plan to attend and travel to the conference at their expense, except inasmuch as their sponsoring congregations provide support. Limited scholarships may be available from the COM s budget. Scholarships: The national Office for Ministry Development provides a free publication Sources of Financial Assistance ( for theological studies. Federal Government Financial Aid: studentaid.ed.gov Diocese of Missouri Theological Education Fund Grant Application: Field Education is a time to learn, observe, and try out new and different parts of ministry. Postulants are encouraged to seek out field education placement that meet the following criteria: 1) A ministry placement different than one previously known to the postulant in order to broaden one s perspective of ministry (i.e. church/ministry size, type, setting, geographical location, etc.), and 2) A ministry placement that will inform the postulant for his/her future ministry (i.e. business of the church: vestry meetings, parochial reports, budgeting, staff administration; conflict management; program planning and design; etc.). Page 18

19 Explanation of Terms (cont.): Required Workshops: Prior to ordination individuals in the ordination process are required to attend four seminar/workshops: 1) Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse: Safe Guarding God s Children, 2) Issues of Sexual Harassment, 3) Dismantling Racism Leadership Workshop, 4) Title IV Overview. Each of these workshops is offered at least once each year within the Diocese of Missouri. Check the online diocesan calendar for future workshop dates Seminarians are encouraged to attend these workshops prior to leaving for seminary or while at seminary. Most seminaries provide these workshops on campus. Certificates of completion are to be mailed to Ralph McMichael, Canon for Ministry Development. Plan to attend these workshops earlier rather than later. A non-completed workshop will delay ordination. A transitional deacon must obtain a parochial cure prior to ordination to the priesthood. No one can be ordained to the priesthood without a parochial cure within the Episcopal Church. Dan Smith, the Canon to the Ordinary, prefers to begin conversations with candidates about their first parochial cure as soon as possible. Many complex factors determine where an individual s first parochial cure may be. Bishop Smith, his staff, and the Commission on Ministry desire to be a resource in identifying a first parochial cure. Although Bishop Smith desires all seminarians to return to the Diocese of Missouri, this is not always possible. Bishop Smith retains the right to release a seminarian to seek a parochial cure in another diocese. Ultimately it is the individual s responsibility to secure a parochial cure. The Society for the Increase of the Ministry publishes a helpful resource titled Transitions from Seminary to a manual for dealing with issues face graduating seminaries, Candidacy is an appropriate time to begin considering these transition issues. Page 19

20 Ordination to the Priesthood (OP) Application Part 1 Minimum of 8 months since acceptance as postulant required before ordination to the priesthood. To be completed by March 1 st of senior year, includes: OP1 Formal application for ordination to priesthood (III.8.7(b)(1)) (form available) OP2 Certificate of Priest and Vestry/Bishop's Committee (III.8.7(b)(2)) (form available) OP3 Completed formation plan (III.8.7(b)(4)) (no form) OP4 Final transcript from seminary (III.8.7(b)(4)) (no form) OP5 Evaluation and recommendation from seminary (III.8.7(b)(4)) (no form) OP6 Additional evaluation of field education (no form) OP7 Update background check, if necessary (III.8.7(a)(3)) (no form) OP8 Update psychological evaluation, if necessary (III.8.7(a)(3)) (no form) OP9 Update medical evaluation, if necessary (III.8.7(a)(3)) (no form) Page 20

21 Ordination to the Priesthood (OP) Application Part 2 OP12 DBEC has reviewed formation plan and certified it as complete (III.8.7(b)(5)) (form available) OP13 COM certification for ordination (III.8.7(b)(5)) (form available) OP14 Approval of the Standing Committee (III.8.7(c)) (form available) OP15 Ordination planning worksheet returned (no form) OP16 Ordination Service Planning Worksheet (no form) Potential timeline: It is the candidate s responsibility to turn in all materials in a timely manner. A Candidate should be in conversation with his/her Bishop and COM Liaison regarding potential ordination dates. A candidate should count backwards from the potential ordination date in the following manner in order to determine potential deadlines: Standing Committee s certification should take place at least two months prior to the ordination date. The COM meets approximately six times per year. The COM s certification is required prior to the above Standing Committee date. The DBEC s certification is required prior to the above COM meeting date. The DBEC meets when it has business to conduct. A meeting can be initiated through its chairperson who is named on the diocesan website. Any delay in receipt of materials is the transitional deacon s responsibility and may delay one s ordination. Ordinand s Declarations Ordinands will be asked to make the following verbal declarations during their ordination. The full text is available in the Book of Common Prayer beginning on page 525. I will be loyal to the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ as this Church has received them. In accordance with the canons of this Church, I will obey my bishop and all other ministers who may have authority over me and my work. I will respect and be guided by the pastoral direction and authority of my bishop. I will be diligent in the reading and study of Holy Scriptures and seeking the knowledge of such things as may make me a stronger and more able minister of Christ. I will endeavor so to minister the Word of God and the sacraments of the New Covenant, that the reconciling love of Christ may be known and received. I will undertake to be a faithful pastor to all whom I am called to serve, laboring together with them and my fellow ministers to build up the family of God. I will do my best to pattern my life (and that of my family or household or community) in accordance with the teachings of Christ, so that I may be a wholesome example to my people. I will persevere in prayer, both in public and private asking God s grace, both for myself and for others, offering all my labors to God, through the mediation of Jesus Christ and the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. The ordinand will also sign the following declaration: I solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church. ORDINATION TO PRIESTHOOD in June after seminary graduation. Page 21

22 APPENDICES Page 22

23 (Send attention: Discernment Coordinator) APPENDIX A: Priest-in-Charge letter Date Dear Bishop (last name), This letter certifies that has been a canonical member of (parish/mission) in good standing since (date). Faithfully, Title (Priest-in-Charge) Page 23

24 APPENDIX B: Guidelines for Forming a Discernment Committee After the Bishop has authorized the formation of a Discernment Committee, the Aspirant and the Priest-in-Charge will consult on membership of the group. The recommended number for a Discernment Committee is three to six. Membership will be a cross-section of the congregation, with some chosen by the Aspirant and some by the Priest-in-Charge. It is expected that one member of the committee will be a lay person from outside the congregation. Where practical, this person should bring the perspective of the larger Anglican community. When geography makes the presence of an Episcopalian from another congregation impractical, the outside member may be a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) or another denomination with similar polity and theology. Members are required to participate in Commission on Ministry training for the task of discernment and to attend each meeting. While the Priest-in-Charge is not a member of the Discernment Committee, he/she will participate in the Commission on Ministry training in order to be pastorally supportive of the Aspirant and the committee members. Page 24

25 APPENDIX C: Introduction to Discernment What is discernment? Discernment is defined as distinguishing between or sorting out. It is something we are faced with regularly. We discern what choices to make throughout our lives where to go to college, what profession to pursue, what job to take. Discernment is not new to us, although we may not have intentionally called our decision-making process discernment. For our purposes, we will simply be intentional about discernment. We will be intentional about hearing God s call. We hear God s call in a variety of ways and in a variety of settings. We listen, using all of our senses, our history, our culture, and the context of our lives. We hear God in the settings of our lives at work, when we worship, study the Bible, pray and participate in coffee hour fellowship, just to name a few. Where have you heard God s call in the past? God calls us on many levels: God calls creation, calls the Church, calls my congregation, and calls me, today, to reach me where I am now. God calls the entirety of my life. And at specific times and places, God calls me to particular actions A call may not be so much a call to do as to be. 1 Congregational Discernment Groups in the Diocese of Missouri are formed to answer the openended question, To what ministry is God calling me? Some Discernment Groups may face the more specific question: Is that calling to lay or ordained ministry? If that calling is to ordained ministry, then: Is it a calling to be a Priest or Deacon? The Discernment Group is asked to intentionally listen, reflect on the past, and envision the future with the Seeker. We will call the person raising these questions the Seeker. 1 Listening Hearts discerning call in community. Morehouse Publishing, Page 25

26 The Charge to the Discernment Group DISCERNMENT GROUPS The goal of this discernment group is two-fold: 1) The discernment group comes to consensus along with the Seeker about what calling is being heard from God; and 2) The Seeker is able to thoroughly articulate the calling God has placed on his or her life. The task of the members of the group is to listen prayerfully and raise questions that will help the seeker consider the issue. The questions need to be caring and probing, designed to help the person move toward a sense of clearness and a deeper comprehension of the issue in relation to God s call. 2 Discernment group IS about the business of Articulating God s call Reflecting back to the Seeker Using I language (I feel, I think, What I hear you saying) Articulating basic Anglican core values Contemplating the seeker s spiritual issues Being leaven in the larger congregation (discernment inevitably spills over into other areas of our lives) Discernment group is NOT Diagnostic Support group Psychological counseling Screening Interviewing Interrogating About life issues that would be better off being discussed with a pastor or counselor 2 Listening Hearts p80 #5 Page 26

27 Two Essentials For the Congregational Discernment Group there are only two essentials in this handbook: 1) A discernment group meets with the Seeker. 2) A report is produced for the Vestry/Bishop s Committee and Commission on Ministry (COM) that articulates the Seeker s call. Although all other materials pertinent to the Congregational Discernment Group in this handbook, besides the above two essential, can be considered a suggestion, the Commission on Ministry strongly encourages Congregational Discernment Groups to use the information gathered here to clearly discern the Seeker s call. Page 27