Ordination

[RamonaQuimbyAge8]

I'm interested in all the different types of ordination in the CofE. I don't think I am called to be a 'proper' vicar but I think I might be called to something with ordained status. Like maybe deacon, or lay minister.

Is anyone here ordained like this? Can you just tell me a bit about it, what training you went through, what you do now?

I'm looking into it at the moment, first step is to talk to the local mission and ministries team, mines next week. I'm thinking of going to college sept 20, but they have said there's a part time option now and I could start this September.

Oh hi! How exciting for you. I am going to take my time. Not planning on any study this coming year so plenty of time for conversations.

In the Cof E we have priests, deacons and a variety of licensed lay ministries. The most common of the lay ministries is LLM or licensed lay minister. These used to be called readers. There used to be authorised lay ministers and I was one before I was ordained as a priest and various pioneer options.

Every diocese will have vocations advisors who can help you through this. If you don't already have a spiritual director it might be worth finding one. Or maybe you are called to be one.

Information about spiritual direction. It is London based but other areas are available!

www.lcsd.org.uk/spiritual-direction/

Thanks! I have a spiritual director and am meeting her next week. I guess I don't really know what the different types of ministers do. I do not feel called to be a preacher, particularly. More individual work. I mean, I can give a talk, but I feel much more called to speak into individual people's lives. Somehow.

I've been looking into the for a few years. In our diocese a discussion with an ADDO (assistant diocesean director of ordinands) where they can go through the 9 selection criteria is one of the first steps. The most important is vocation. The discernment process rarely takes less than 18 months.

I have quite a lot of friends at different points along the process.

If the diocese consider you suitable you'll be but forward to BAP (Bishops Advisory Panel) which is a 3 day interview process (you have to give a presentation and complete a written pastoral exercise amongst other things).

If you're recommended for training you then choose your college and train for 2-4 years depending on previous study and whether you want to do it full/part time.

If all this goes well you'll be ordained Deacon and start your first year of curacy. A year later you're ordained Priest and then complete your curacy. Throughout curacy you recieve additional training to equip you for future ministry like becoming a vicar.

It sounds like you might be called to chaplaincy if it's the pastoral aspect that drives you.

All vicars are priests but not all priests are vicars. A vicar os a particular job role.

Thank you, sorry for delayed reply. I guess I don't feel like I know what any of those roles actually consist of. Like, what does a deacon actually do all day?

Most deacons are only deacons for a year. There is something called the permanent diaconate but there aren't many of those.

Some deacons will be full time and paid so they will be preparing services, leading services, doing assemblies, working with the elderly, homeless, children, asylum seekers or whatever the parish does. If they are not full time and paid they are doing some of this and holding down a full time job.

What they can't do is preside at Holy Communion and bless. You need to be ordained as a priest to do that.

www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2017-12/Discerning%20the%20Diaconate.pdf

RamonaQuimbyAge8 I think it may depend if you see this as a full-time job you will get paid for or whether it is something else?

Being ordained as a priest is a calling, perhaps all ministry is a calling, but I wonder if people always see it the same way if they are working part-time or doing ministry while also being employed elsewhere.

@mostlydrinkstea "There used to be authorised lay ministers and I was one before I was ordained as a priest and various pioneer options." Can you say more about the pioneer options?

A long time ago I explored ministry, I didn't want to be a vicar but I was interested in chaplaincy work. At the time it wasn't right for me and now it won't be but I really hope people who think differently, compassionately for those outside the church etc, will come into all forms of ministry.

Pioneering

www.churchofengland.org/pioneering

freshexpressions.org.uk/get-started/pioneer-ministry/

www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/2-march/features/features/the-birth-pains-of-pioneer-ministry

pioneer.churchmissionsociety.org/pioneer-community/pioneer-hubs/school-of-pioneers-london-diocese/

Great mostlydrinkstea church needs more out of the box thinking.

Thank you. I don't see doing it as a full time job, not like that kind of vocation. For one thing my health is probably not up to it. Maybe.

I have no interest in leading services or preaching. I guess I feel like my gifts are more towards small groups and individuals.

Also, reading the nine qualities or whatever I can't honestly say I am that bothered about the church of england especially. I mean, I think the C of E is an important institution and I am part of it, but I disagree with some of it, am pretty ecumenical in my outlook and for instance haven't had my children baptised as infants. I can easily see myself being just as happy in a different church.

RamonaQuimbyAge8 that all sounds good.

Do you mean 'good' as in 'definitely seek ordination'....? I'm assuming not!

I think I can possibly imagine something like LLM or spiritual direction where I would lead small groups and minister to people more closely.

RamonaQuimbyAge8 no, sorry I meant, " ...am pretty ecumenical in my outlook and for instance haven't had my children baptised as infants. I can easily see myself being just as happy in a different church."

That's positive to me.

My children were not baptized but I attend and am involved in an Anglican Church.