Changing religion / religious calling

[DaisyInTheChain]

For years I have felt a calling to give more of myself to God.

I wondered if there was any Vicars or Priests on here who can describe their journey.

I pursued one route that was closed down due to it just not being right, then I found something else, it was almost like I was led there.

If it was just a one off I wouldn't really pay it any heed but since I was young I've felt a calling to serve in some way.

With my current situation I feel let down by my church, even though I really enjoy the services, I can't name one person I've really ever bonded with at church. I was left feeling pretty let down and abandoned.

I wondered if the new path I was shown, is a guide to try a new pathway.

I'm quite shocked in myself that I feel this way. I totally love everything my faith stands for, but I've never felt like I fitted in.

I started off when I was young going to one church, whilst it wasn't my kind of worship I found another church when I was older.

This is the second time at Lent I've found myself calling this into question.

Has anyone else been through the same?

Where ever others need help would be the place to go, they're everywhere so it shouldn't be too difficult.

The feeling of dissatisfaction with the way church is done can be part of a calling to do it yourself and that might lead to some sort of lay or ordained ministry. The Rector at the church where I spent 20 years has a very different approach to preaching and I remember thinking that if I was ever ordained I wouldn't do it like that. It might be helpful to talk this through with a spiritual director who can help you unpick some of this. Your diocese should have a list of people or ask your minister or vicar where the local list is.

There are a few people here who are exploring ordination, including me.

I met with my vicar and talked it through, then began talking it with people in my Diocese.

I currently work FT for a church so it’s a bit simpler for me to do things like preaching and leading, but we often have people doing it when they are testing the water.

This website tells you something about spiritual direction. Obviously it is for just one part of the country but there will be something similar in your area OP.

soulfriend.org.uk/

If you are a denomination where women cannot be priests or ministers then it might make sense to move to one that does to test a vocation. I know several Roman Catholic and Free Church women who moved to the C of E for that reason.