Discernment for Ordained Ministry: New Process Unveiled for Discerning a Call

On the weekend of February 28-March 1, the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi held its first Ministry Exploration Gathering at Camp Bratton-Green. The purpose of the gathering was to allow all persons in the Diocese who perceive a call to ordained ministry to gather, meet and hear from clergy and lay persons from within the Diocese who have lived out their calls in a variety of ways, and learn information about the discernment process as a group.

Together with some spouses and sponsoring clergy, 19 persons came together for a time of prayer, reflection and fellowship from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon. As they are led by the Holy Spirit, these persons are invited to make application to enter the discernment process.

Joining me and the Rev. Gary Meade, Canon to the Ordinary, was a panel representing varying orders and types of ministry, who shared the wealth of their experience: Rev. Jill Buckley (Stewpot Ministries); Cindy Hudnall (Saints Brew Ministry, All Saints Church, Tupelo); the Rev. Deacon Sarah Stripp (Springboard to Opportunities, and ministry of deacons); the Rev. Elisabeth Malphurs (St. Alban’s Church, Bovina, and Smaller Churches Initiative); the Rev. Jenny Newman (Church of the Ascension, Hattiesburg, and Canterbury College Ministry); the Rev. Hailey Allin and the Rev. Clelie McCandless (the priesthood and school chaplaincy); the Rev. Deacon Cathy Halford (ministry of deacons, and Episcopal Relief and Development).

These Ministry Exploration Gatherings have been important to me, for a number of reasons. First, I am clearly committed to the formation of persons who believe that they are called to ordained ministry. As we read from the Catechism, all persons are called to ministry. The vast majority of us in churches are called to lay ministry – and to bearing the light and love of Christ into the world. Those among us who are called to express our gifts for ministry as ordained persons are called into roles which require discernment, prayer and holy preparation. The goal of the Ministry Exploration Gatherings is to allow a solid foundation for that discernment. I believe that the proper Diocesan pastoral response for all persons who are discerning a call to ordained ministry is to allow an opportunity to understand the ways that ministry is expressed in this Diocese and the expectations of all persons discerning a call. All discerners should have access to the same information and be on a level playing field. Accordingly, attendance at a Ministry Exploration Gathering will be required for anyone entering the discernment process.

We will plan to offer two Ministry Exploration Gatherings each year – in the spring, and again in the fall. Persons now discerning a call should expect added diocesan-level discernment, including more meetings with the Commission on Ministry and Diocesan Discernment Committees.

Included in our first Ministry Exploration Weekend was a discussion of theological formation – and options of residential, hybrid and local education available. All persons discerning a call to ordained ministry will be expected to complete appropriate theological formation for the order of ministry to which they are believe they are called.

The A.C. Marble School, part of the Iona Collaborative, will continue to be an option, with appropriate levels of study for the diaconate and for the priesthood.

Dates will be set and publicized soon for upcoming Gatherings. Questions should be referred to Bishop Wells (dwells@dioms.org) or Canon Meade (gmeade@dioms.org).