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Commission on Ministry
Chair: Becky Snow
Guidelines for the
Discernment Process
The Episcopal Diocese of Alaska
In
accordance with the Commission on Ministry of the Diocese of Alaska, each
person desiring ordination or Holy Orders shall consult with the member of
the Clergy in Charge. Gospel Based Discipleship is the central resource
for the discernment process.
“The
Bishop and the Commission on Ministry (COM) shall provide encouragement,
training and necessary resources to assist each congregation in developing
an ongoing process of community discernment appropriate to the cultural
background, age and life experiences of all persons seeking direction in
their call to ministry.”
The following
process will be used:
1. The
Aspirant must be a communicant in good standing and an active member of
the host congregation for at least one year before beginning the
Discernment Process.
2. At this point in
the call process, it is appropriate for the Aspirant to discuss a sense of
call only with the Rector/Vicar of the host congregation and the members
of the Gospel Based Discipleship (GBD) Discernment Committee, so as not to
influence the process in later steps. There will be a period of
discernment between the Rector/Vicar and the Aspirant that shall precede
the calling forth of a GBD Discernment Committee.
3. Each new Aspirant
shall have his/her own GBD Discernment Committee.
4. The Aspirant shall
meet with the GBD Discernment Committee for a period of no less than 12
months.
5. The GBD Discernment
Committee shall be comprised of no less than 4 lay persons from various
walks of life representing a cross-section of the congregation. It is
suggested that at least one member come from other Episcopal or
non-Episcopal congregations, preferably of a size different from the
discerning congregation.
6. During aspirancy,
the Aspirant shall engage in spiritual direction with a spiritual advisor.
The Rector/Vicar must be consulted in selecting the appropriate advisor.
The name of the advisor shall be made known to the Bishop.
7. The Aspirant shall
plan and execute a “ministry/service project” as called by engaging the
Gospel with the GBD Discernment Committee. This project will be supervised
by the Rector/Vicar and at least one member of the GBD Discernment
Committee.
8. The GBD Discernment
Committee would meet at least once per month with the Aspirant. The
primary focus should be:
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To
engage the Gospel in a circle of love and prayer.
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The
Aspirant’s life story. Explore deeper insight into the Aspirant’s
spiritual journey.
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Study
time on the nature of ministry. An intensive and sustained reflection on
the services of ordination in the Book of Common Prayer is suggested.
Other study sources are available from the Bishop’s Office.
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The
Aspirant’s spirituality, relationship to authority, ego needs, leadership
style, personality type, gifts and skills.
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It is
further recommended that the Aspirant experience the breadth of the
Episcopal Church. Therefore, Sunday visits to at least three other
congregations (to be identified by the Aspirant and the Rector/Vicar) one
of these outside of the Aspirant’s deanery are suggested.
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The
Aspirant’s knowledge of the faith and practice of the Episcopal Church.
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The
Aspirant’s description of his/her call to ministry.
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Practical matters – the Aspirant’s support network including income,
family, ministry goals, etc.
9. When discernment
has been completed, the chair of the GBD Discernment Committee will
complete the “GBD Discernment of Ministry Form” found in the diocesan
directory. This completed form and the recommendation of the Discernment
Committee must then be submitted to the Vestry or Bishop’s Committee. The
Vestry or Bishop’s Committee receives the report to assess the work of the
GBD Discernment Committee. If the recommendation is for ordained ministry,
the Vestry or Bishop’s Committee completes Form B-01, “Recommendation for
Postulancy,” and sends it to the Bishop and the Chair of the Commission on
Ministry (COM). The Chair of the COM and Bishop will then determine if an
interview with the Aspirant is needed and arrange for that to occur. This
interview may be conducted by the whole COM or by a designated interview
committee. Canon III, Title 6, nominees do not need to be interviewed by
the COM before being admitted to postulancy.
10. The Bishop may
then accept or not accept the Aspirant for Postulancy with or without the
consent of the COM.
Revised and approved
by the COM on April 2, 2004
Steps for
Ordination of Deacons (Title III, Canon 6)
Before being nominated for postulancy, each nominee
shall have engaged in a process of ministry discernment. The Bishop and
COM shall provide encouragement, training and necessary resources to
assist each congregation in developing an ongoing process of community
discernment appropriate to the cultural background, age and life
experiences of all persons seeking direction in their call to ministry.
A. Nomination by congregation or other
community of faith that includes:
- Full name and date of birth
- length of time resident in the diocese
- evidence of baptism and confirmation
- whether application has been made previously for
postulancy
- description of the process of discernment
- level of education, degrees earned, other
specialized study
- letter of support from congregation/community of
faith
- an acceptance in writing by the nominated person
B. Nomination is submitted to the Bishop,
who may admit the person as a postulant.
C. Postulancy
- exploration of the call to the diaconate
- background check
- medical and psychological examinations
- Bishop or designee may interview the Postulant
- COM or a designated committee shall interview the
postulant
- COM or designated committee makes recommendation
to Bishop
- Bishop may admit Postulant as a candidate
D. Candidacy (no less than one year, time of
formation and preparation for ordination)
- Bishop may assign Candidate to any congregation in
the diocese
- Bishop may remove candidate at his sole discretion
E. Preparation for Ordination
- Bishop, in consultation with COM determines length
of time and extent of formation.
- Demonstrate competence in the five areas: 1)
Academic studies, including Holy Scriptures, theology and the tradition
of the church. 2) Diakonia and the deaconate. 3) Human awareness and
understanding. 4) Spiritual development and discipline. 5) Practical
training and experience.
- Training in sexual misconduct prevention, training
in Title IV of the Canons, and Anti-racism.
- Ember day letters to the Bishop
- Written evaluations as authorized by the COM
- Update medical and psychological examinations if
necessary
F. Application for Ordination
G. Standing Committee recommendation
H. Bishop may ordain.
Steps for
Ordination as a Priest (Title III, Canon 8)
“The congregation or other community of faith shall nominate
appropriate persons for the ordination process, nurture them in faith, and
provide continuing support for such persons through Postulancy, Formation,
Candidacy, and Ordination.”
Before being nominated for postulancy, each nominee
shall have engaged in a process of ministry discernment. The Bishop and
COM shall provide encouragement, training and necessary resources to
assist each congregation in developing an ongoing process of community
discernment appropriate to the cultural background, age and life
experiences of all persons seeking direction in their call to ministry.
A. Postulancy
1. The person nominated provides the following to the
Bishop:
- Full name and date of birth
- The length of time resident in the Diocese
- Evidence of Baptism and Confirmation
- Whether an application has been made previously
for Postulancy in an diocese
- A description of the process of discernment by
which the nominee has been identified for ordination
- The level of education attained and, if any, the
degrees earned and areas of specialization, including official
transcripts
- A letter of support by the nominee’s congregation
or other community of faith, including a statement committing the
congregation or other community of faith to involve itself in the
nominee’s preparation for ordination to the Priesthood. If it be a
congregation, the letter shall be signed and dated by a two-thirds
majority of the Vestry/Church Committee, and the member of the clergy or
leader exercising oversight.
- A written request from the nominee for admission
to Postulancy.
2. The Bishop makes a determination as to whether the
nominee is a confirmed adult communicant in good standing of the
congregation/other community of faith.
3. The Bishop shall meet with the nominee.
4. Bishop notifies the nominee and the Commission on
Ministry on whether the application may proceed.
5. The COM shall interview or designate a Committee
of the COM to interview and evaluate the nominee’s qualifications.
6. COM sends a report/recommendation to the Bishop.
7. Bishop may admit the nominee as a Postulant for
ordination to the Priesthood.
B. Formation
“Postulants shall pursue the program of preparation
for ordination to the Priesthood developed by the Bishop and Commission.
The program shall include theological training, practical experience,
emotional development, and spiritual formation.”
1. If no baccalaureate degree, the Commission, Bishop
and postulant shall design a program of academic work that may be
necessary to prepare the Postulant to undertake a program of theological
education.
2. Prior education and learning from life experience
may be considered as part of the formation required for the Priesthood.
3. Whenever possible, formation shall take place in
community, and with others preparing for ministry.
4. Formation shall take into account the local
culture, the postulant’s background, age, occupation, and ministry.
5. The seven canonical areas shall be studied.
C. Candidacy
1. Postulant applies to the Bishop for Candidacy.
- Supply date of admission to postulancy
- letter of support from congregation/community of
faith
2. Commission on Ministry attests to the continuing
formation.
3. Bishop may grant Candidacy.
D. Ordination to the Diaconate
Prior to ordination under this Canon, the following must be
accomplished:
1) Thorough background check
2) sexual misconduct prevention training, training
regarding Title IV of these Canons, and anti-racism training.
3) thorough medical and psychological evaluations.
1. Bishop shall obtain in writing:
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an application from the Candidate requesting ordination as a
deacon
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letter of support from congregation/community of
faith
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certificate and recommendation from the seminary or other
program of preparation
2. Standing Committee shall obtain:
3. Standing Committee makes recommendation and may
prepare testimonial consenting to the ordination.
4. Bishop may ordain.
E. Ordination to the Priesthood
(At least six months since the ordination as a Deacon, 24
years of age, and if the medical examination, psychological examination,
and background check have taken place or been updated within 36 months
prior to the ordination as a Priest)
1. Bishop shall obtain in writing and provide to the
Standing Committee the following:
- application requesting ordination as a priest
- letter of support from the congregation/community
of faith
- evidence of admission to Postulancy and Candidacy
- certificate from the seminary or other program of
preparation recommending the deacon for ordination to Priesthood
- statement from the Commission attesting to the
successful completion
2. Standing Committee makes recommendation and may
prepare a testimonial for the Bishop.
3. Bishop may ordain.
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