“Is God Calling me to ministry?”

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If this question is on your mind, the answer is Yes!

God is always calling people to ministry.

After all, it is through the ministry of people that God becomes known in the world.

 

How do you know if you have a call?

• you may have a sense of God not leaving you alone.

• other people may be saying things to you like: “you should be a minister”.

• you find yourself drawn to passages in the Bible and other books about God’s call.

 

Nevertheless, the nature of that call is not always clear – it isn’t necessarily to become a Deacon or a Priest – it may be to some other valuable form of lay ministry.

So, we have people who can help you discern what God is asking you to do.

 

How to Proceed

If you are sensing a call to ministry, it is good to:

 

  • First discuss this with a trusted friend of faith.

• Then see your local priest for a chat.

• Then make an appointment to see the Bishop.

• The Bishop may then refer you to an Examining Chaplain who will help you carefully discern your call.

 

Finally, depending on the discernment, you may be asked to begin appropriate training.

 

Training

 Depending on how your call is discerned, you may be invited to:

• Undertake a period of guided reading and reflection.

• Meet with some people who are skilled in the art of discernment.

• Further discuss your call, especially if it is to be a deacon or priest.

 

Please contact the Diocesan Office if you need help in beginning this process.

May God be with you as you consider these important decisions.

 

When being called you are in good company!

Mary

And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. (Lk 1:26-32, NRSV)

 

Jesus

And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘this is my son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’
(Mtt 3.16-17, NRSV).

 

CS Lewis

In the Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.
(CS Lewis, Surprised by Joy).