Starting the discernment process in the CofE

[MrsTulip]

For a few years now God has been telling me he wants more from me, but that's all he's saying. He hasn't yet revealed what more is, then over the last 18 months a few friends and people I know from currently serving in children's ministry have mentioned I should consider ordination. Strangely this hasn't freaked me out like I thought it would but I do have a lot of questions and uncertainties about it, I feel this may be the way God wants me to go.
For a short while I did think it might be a call to reader ministry and I asked the vicar at a school I'm connected to (not my vicar or my child's school) a few questions about it.
I've also spoke to my own vicar about a placement in another church but have said I want this to hep me develop my current role.
I don't know why but I'm finding it hard to be totally honest with those around me and say outright I think God wants me to start the formal discernment process. Other than praying (cause I'm already doing tonnes of that) has anyone any advice of how to approach my vicar? I also for reasons that would be too outing don't want to talk my church warden. Thanks

Meeting went well, DDO was lovely, been given a stack of books to read, tonne of stuff to think about and some paperwork to complete before we meet again around Christmas/new year time. The DDO will be being my vocations advisor. We will work through things over the coming months with a view to have a stage 1 panel in September/October time.

Glad to hear it went well. All the best for your journey though I found the process more like a jigsaw puzzle, the picture gradually coming together. (I didn’t pursue a priestly calling, I am also called to be a wife and mother and I couldn’t reconcile the balance with my family (my husband is an atheist).)

My vicar has completed my clergy commendation form so I’ve just got to do my IME, safeguarding and a few other bits of paperwork that need finishing. Hopefully it will all be done and sent of by Saturday

Great news! I am so grateful for vicars. They give up so much of themselves for others.

Placemarking

DBS came back today and under position applied for it states potential ordinand, I think I want to go and bury myself in a hole in the garden again!
Clergy commendation form was really positive and next meeting is 22nd February (which will be strange as will be going straight from a guiding thinking day event!)

It's really strange isn't it to think of yourself as a potential ordinand, but that's what we are until we hopefully become ordinands!

It just made me go back to that queasy, unsure feeling.

How about waiting for results from BAP?! It's the longest week ever in history I'm in the middle of!

Praying for you xxx

@Jaime321 - Praying for you and hoping that you feel able to share the outcome such as you feel able. 🙏🏼

@MrsTulip - Thanks for starting this thread. Sounds as if things are unfolding as they should.

@triballeader - Thank you for your post, that is helpful for me to read too. (I am between first and second meetings with my vicar at the moment, so in the pre-official stage.)

@erinaceus thanks for this xx

@triballeader glad you are finding it useful. It's a tiny bit out of date as the CofE have recently changed what was BAP but the picking apples of gold blog has a good discernment process guide and some other good bits and bobs on there you might find useful as you get further along in the process.

So been back with my vocations advisor (he’s also the DDO) this morning and it was really positive. Going to be doing a six week placement in the summer which I’m really looking forward to

So I now only have tomorrow and next Sunday in church before I head off on placement. I’ve watched a lot of their online worship and am feeling super excited to start

Good luck!

Thank you xx

Hoping it goes great @MrsTulip!

Enjoy it! I found my placement a really useful part of my discernment. It was full on but great fun and lots of new experiences.

Well week 1/6 of placement was very different to what I'm used to, but I really enjoyed it. Did feel a little strange not having to do anything other than observe and enjoy worshipping this morning.
My 9 year old loved it and got stuck in with the other kids and joined in with a lot more of the service than he usually does.

Wow can't believe that I'm half way through placement 3 weeks down 3 to go. Although I did miss my church family this morning.

How are you finding it? Is it an opportunity to observe or are you able to get stuck in a bit? The next 3 weeks will fly by!

It's ok it's an opportunity to observe. I love the worship songs and the fact that everyone actually sings!
I did miss my home church yesterday though

Wow can't believe tomorrow is the last day in my placement church. My home church have thrown me back in at the deep end though as they have me down to do the all age service next Sunday (18th) and I can get back into full on holiday bible club planning and organising mode.

Have you enjoyed your time with the placement church? What have you learnt?

I’ve enjoyed that it has a more diverse range of ages and nationalities ( although my home church has a a range of nationalities over the years it’s usually just one family at a time).
Ive also enjoyed learning some new more modern worship songs and have picked up a few ideas of things I would like to try in the future ( church warden at home church can be challenging though)
Its mainly been an observing and experiencing placement than doing. But I have learnt that I get more/ learn better when I’m doing. I also need to make sure that I take time out from my current ministry to ensure I get spiritually fed rather than serving every week.
The collaborative ministry that I have observed has been great.