Is God calling YOU? - Call Waiting

vocatIoNS
IS goD
callINg
you INto
orDaINED
mINIStry?
INformatIoN for youNg
pEoplE thINkINg about
bEcomINg a prIESt IN
thE church of ENglaND
INSIDE—
What Sort of pEoplE arE SElEctED for orDINatIoN?
What Sort of jobS Do prIEStS Do?
What Sort of traININg IS INvolvED IN bEcomINg a prIESt?
What arE thE SIgNS that orDINatIoN mIght bE rIght for you?
mEEt SomE youNg traINEES & NEW prIEStS
What ShoulD you Do NExt?
More information at:
www.
callwaiting.
org.uk

profIlE
Wendy Dalrymple,
Mirfield
talk about life in the fast lane.
Wendy’s a curate at Mirfield Team
Parish, West Yorkshire, and a
young vocations adviser.
“I was 14 when I thought, ‘Hmm, I want
to be ordained.’ People would pat me
on the head and say, ‘There, there, but
you have to have a proper job first!’ I
feel called to help reshape and remould
the church for a world that has changed
drastically. As part of my curacy I’m
helping to develop fresh expressions
of church, which is about using your
imagination to think about people who
don’t come to church (who form the
majority of the people in the parish
where I work!). How can I engage with
them, and develop forms of worship
which are both relevant to the faith but
also very relevant to people’s lives? I am
who I am—dyeing my hair a different
colour every month, having body
piercings and tattoos... that’s who I am!
And I think God calls us as we are.”
SprEaDINg
thE WorD
www.callwaiting.org.uk hello@callwaiting.org.uk
Hear Wendy’s podcast at
www.
callwaiting.
org.uk
We’re here to help
For thousands of years, men and women
all over the world have stepped forward
in response to God’s calling. Some of
their stories have gone down in history,
perhaps in the Bible; others may be a
little more unsung. But each of them has
played a vital part in the unfolding of
God’s amazing plan.
Christians are called to be Christ-like in
whatever they do: some feel called to serve
in a more specific ministry, either ordained
or lay. If you feel that God may be calling
you into the Church’s ministry—rather
than, say, an office, a lab or a bank—you
may be thinking that those Bible stories are
hard acts to follow. Which of us, after all, is
a Moses?
But like Moses, many of those men and
women were also pretty nervous and
unsure (look how much convincing Jonah
needed!). God has a plan for each one of
us, and all we need to do is to be open to
hearing his call, and to be obedient: he will
supply the rest.
But it can be hard to know what to do
when you think you hear God calling you.
You’ll want to test those feelings out—is
that God’s voice you hear? How do you feel
about it? What do other people say?
There are networks of people all over the
country who are tasked by their bishops to
guide at a local and diocesan level those
who feel called to be priests, by helping
them discern their calling—whether it
really is to ordained ministry, or to some
other role. On behalf of the bishops, the
Ministry Division of the Church of England
oversees the national level of selection of
people to go forward for training as a priest.
This booklet will give you some things to
think about, and tell you a bit about the
process of becoming a priest, and what sort
of jobs there are.
For more information, check out our
website, where you’ll find loads more
information. And we welcome your emails!
hello@callwaiting.org.uk
INSIDE
4 prEfacE from roWaN WIllIamS
6 So, you’rE thINkINg about orDINatIoN?
8 EvENINg SErvIcE
10 What’S a ‘callINg’ aNyWay?
12 callINgS of pEoplE IN thE bIblE
14 mEEt SomE youNg orDINaNDS
16 bIblE StuDy group
18 What Sort of jobS Do orDaINED pEoplE Do?
20 What Sort of pEoplE bEcomE prIEStS?
22 thE SElEctIoN procESS
24 traININg to bE a prIESt
25 What If orDINatIoN’S Not for you?
26 aND NoW pray, talk, rEaD
28 tourINg thE parISh
3

prEfacE
thE archbIShop of caNtErbury
What sort of experience do you need
to work in the full-time ministry of
the Church of England? Well, first
and foremost, the experience of
relationship with God through Jesus, and
the recognition by other Christians that
you may have something quite distinctive
to share arising out of that experience.
When the Church takes seriously the calling
of its younger members to ordained ministry,
it has to start with this—not with stereotypes
of the sort of thing you need to have been
or done before you can be listened to.
What the Church asks of its ordained
teachers and pastors is that they will keep
the Good News fresh for them, help them
to hear it as really new. And this means
that the ordained minister needs to work
at maintaining the freshness of the vision
for himself or herself—needs to be daily
amazed and excited by the gift of God.
That amazement and excitement is not the
sole property of younger believers; what a
very dull Church it would be if that were so!
But if we fail to attract and to nourish younger
Christians in thinking about their calling
to ordained ministry—indeed any kind of
long-term ministry —we are going to lose a
hugely precious resource of enthusiasm
and hopefulness in our life together.
www.callwaiting.org.uk hello@callwaiting.org.uk
A new focus on encouraging younger
people to consider their calling will make
us ask quite difficult questions at some
points about habits and styles we take for
granted in our life of witness and worship
—and we may be surprised when what we
older believers think works for younger
Christians turns out to be wildly off the
mark. But it will also open doors for all of
us into new insights, new inspiration. So
I hope and pray that this Call Waiting...
initiative will enrich the whole of our
Church and allow more people, old and
young, to grow into the fullness of the gifts
God has given them.
+ Rowan Cantuar:
5

a vIcar WaS alWayS SomEoNE
ElSE—SomEoNE olDEr,
SomEoNE vEry lEarNED,
SomEoNE to rESpEct. It took
mE a loNg tImE to accEpt that
that vIcar coulD bE mE.
www.callwaiting.org.uk hello@callwaiting.org.uk
So, you’rE thINkINg
about orDINatIoN?
Some people just know they want to be
a priest from childhood. For others,
the calling comes later. For some,
their calling is a lot less obvious than
it is to their families and friends! Some
resist the call at first—others can’t wait to
get started.
You’re you. No one else’s story—or their
journey—will be the same as yours. So
while it’s helpful to look at the unfolding of
other people’s sense of call to be a priest,
don’t get caught in the trap of thinking
you’re not as good as other people. God
knows what he’s doing!
Starting to think of yourself as a priest
one day might feel very odd. Can you see
yourself wearing a clerical collar and all
the garb? Can you see yourself presiding
over a communion table one day? Baptising
and burying people? Being alongside
others as they try to deal with the
complexities of life and faith? If you really
are called to be a priest, as your vocation
unfolds the idea of doing these things
will seem more natural. And remember —
God’s grace is given to us to help us fulfil
whatever we are called to do.
yES, SomE pEoplE mIght
thINk you’rE WEIrD!
Taking a deep breath and telling family
and friends that you’re thinking about
becoming a priest is quite a big step. But it
will help.
Some people might think you’re mad to throw
in the chance of a high-flying, high-earning
career—but does it matter? You can’t fly
much higher than responding to God’s call,
and it depends how you measure rewards.
Sources of support may come from the
most remarkable places. Some people
thinking about ordination find that their
main encouragement comes from friends
who aren’t even Christians!
No, you WoN’t gEt rIch.
(Not in material terms, anyway!) But you
will be paid, if you’re in a job which is on
the payroll. However, some jobs are nonstipendiary
(unpaid), although you won’t
be placed in one of those unless you are
fully in agreement. Also, some people are
ordained but then remain in their secular
job, so they aren’t paid by the Church.
When they retire from their secular work,
they may choose to give much of their
time as priests in a local parish—again,
unpaid. Usually, priests live in a vicarage
or rectory—a house in the parish where he
or she ministers, which is provided by the
Church free of rent and council tax.
aND No—you DEfINItEly
WoN’t gEt borED!
That’s the last thing you need to worry
about. In fact, you’ll find the variety mindbending.
Of course, there are bits of every
job which are tedious, but the mixture of
people, intellectual challenges and contact
with people at critical times in their lives
make it much more likely that you’d suffer
from overload than boredom!
7

profIlE
www.callwaiting.org.uk hello@callwaiting.org.uk
EvENINg
SErvIcE
Lorraine Dixon, Birmingham
this puts a whole new
spin on evensong:
Lorraine Dixon (aka
‘DJ Ayo’) is a priest, a
DJ and a nightclub chaplain,
working with young and
underprivileged people across
the UK.
Sure, the timbrel and the
harp have their place. But
Lorraine, who has a heart for
working with marginalised
young people, performs at
club nights across the city
spinning decks, playing deep,
funky and soulful dance music
which speaks of faith, hope,
peace and love.
Lorraine explains: “There’s
still a space for traditional
Christianity, but I’m trying
to reach out to those who are
turned off by church services
with traditional hymns and
prayers.” Of course, the
chance to have a bit of a
dance at the same time isn’t
exactly a hardship.
9

goD callS EvEryoNE INto EvEr-DEEpEr rElatIoNShIp—WIth goD aND
WIth Each othEr—aND INto SomE kIND of SErvIcE. thE prImary callINg
of all chrIStIaNS IS to rEprESENt chrISt IN thE WorlD, aND to coNtINuE
hIS mISSIoN aND lovINg SErvIcE to all pEoplE. but SErvIcE caN takE
maNy formS, So WhErE IS goD callINg you?
a
life in ministry isn’t for everyone,
but it could be God’s calling for you.
There are lots of opportunities to
explore your sense of calling—for
yourself; with people who know you well;
and with the Church’s help.
For Christians, this means reflecting God’s
love to others, wherever they are and
whatever they do in life. For some, the
calling is more distinctly ‘vocational’—
more to do with their job and their life.
Some jobs, such as teaching, are often
referred to as ‘vocational’. Here we
are particularly exploring vocations to
ordained ministry within the Church.
Pages 20-21 will tell you a bit about what
sort of people become priests.
www.callwaiting.org.uk hello@callwaiting.org.uk
hoW Do you kNoW If goD
rEally IS callINg you INto
orDaINED mINIStry?
There are lots of signs, but a great place to
start is to ask yourself these questions. If
your answer to most of them is ‘Yes’, this
might be the right time to explore further.
Do you fEEl a pErSIStENt
SENSE of callINg?
Everyone’s experience of calling is unique.
It can start with anything from a nagging
feeling to a complete bolt from the blue. It
may or may not come as a surprise! But a
real sense of calling is persistent—it won’t
go away...
Do othEr pEoplE rEcogNISE
your SENSE of callINg?
It’s a good idea to share any sense of calling
with people you trust—your vicar or chaplain,
your family and friends. This can be helpful
in checking whether other people see God’s
calling in you. Hopefully, they’ll be honest
enough to tell you whether they can see you
in the job! They may even have spotted
your calling before you did.
IS your SENSE of callINg
rEalIStIc?
We all have a unique set of strengths
and weaknesses—but have you got what
it takes to be a priest? Answering that
will take you on an honest journey of
self-assessment, on which you will need
some help. While God doesn’t call us into
roles which are completely beyond us,
sometimes he calls us and then helps us
to grow into the role. So you might be
surprised by what you can do with God’s
grace and in his strength.
IS your SENSE of callINg
WEll-INformED?
In other words, do you know what you
might be letting yourself in for? A life
in ministry is full of exciting surprises,
but it’s still good to know what it might
entail! For example, you‘ll need to have
some understanding of what’s involved in
mission and ministry in a changing world,
and what sort of things you’ll need to do as
part of the job.
If your answer to most of these questions
is ‘yes’, this might be the right time to ask
for help in discerning whether ordination
is right for you. The Church of England
will work with you to discern what God is
calling you to.
lEttINg othEr pEoplE tESt
your SENSE of callINg
If you do feel called to ministry, you
will need to allow that sense of calling
to be tested by the Church—through a
discernment process, which is described
on pages 20-21.
You’ll meet a number of people experienced
in discerning vocations, and they’ll explore
with you whether you show signs of a calling
to ministry.
It’s right for the Church to test each
person's sense of calling, and to be able
to validate and authorise callings to the
priesthood and other ministries.
What’S a
‘callINg’
aNyWay?
11

callINgS of
pEoplE IN thE bIblE
goD caN Do amazINg thINgS WIth all SortS of
pEoplE. thESE callINgS from thE bIblE WErE
all DIffErENt: SomE of thE pEoplE INvolvED
WErE vEry orDINary, WhIlE othErS haD faIrly
colourful paStS. but thEy WErE all ablE to
Do amazINg thINgS, thaNkS to goD’S gracE,
WhEN thEy rESpoNDED obEDIENtly to hIS call.
Why Not look up SomE of thESE paSSagES?
thEy may hElp you to rEflEct oN WhErE goD
may bE callINg you.
www.callwaiting.org.uk hello@callwaiting.org.uk
abraham
“I will make you into a great nation, and
I will bless you...” said God to Abraham.
(Genesis 12)
moSES
Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I
should go to Pharaoh...?” And God said, “I
will be with you.” (Exodus 3)
SamuEl
The Lord came and stood there, calling as
at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then
Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is
listening.” (1 Samuel 3:1-10)
Saul
Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see
the man the Lord has chosen? There is no
one like him among all the people.”
(1 Samuel 9 and 10)
DavID
Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him;
he is the one.” (1 Samuel 16:4-13)
ISaIah
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
“Whom shall I send? And who will go for
us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
(Isaiah 6:1-8)
jErEmIah
But the Lord said to me, “...You must go to
everyone I send you to and say whatever I
command you.” (Jeremiah 1:4-9)
joNah
Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah
a second time: “Go to the great city of
Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I
give you.” (Jonah 3:1-3)
mary
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered.
“May it be to me as you have said.”
(Luke 1:26-38)
SImoN pEtEr
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid;
from now on you will catch men.” So
they pulled their boats up on shore, left
everything and followed him. (Luke 5:1-11)
mary magDalENE
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with
the news: “I have seen the Lord!”
(John 20:1-18)
paul
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,”
he replied. “Now get up and go into the
city, and you will be told what you must
do.” (Acts 9:1-22)
lyDIa
The Lord opened her heart to respond to
Paul’s message. (Acts 16:14-15)
thE fIrSt DIScIplES
Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”
(John 1:35-46)
all chrIStIaNS
...You also were included in Christ when
you heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation. Having believed, you were
marked in him with a seal, the promised
Holy Spirit... (Ephesians 1:3-14)
13

a prIESt-IN-traININg IS callED
aN orDINaND. thESE arE pEoplE
Who havE bEEN through thE
procESS of DIScErNINg thEIr
vocatIoN aND, folloWINg a
bIShopS’ aDvISory paNEl, havE
bEEN SElEctED for traININg.
lEt’S mEEt SomE youNg pEoplE
goINg through traININg. hoW
DID thEy gEt to thE poINt of
rEcogNISINg thEIr callINg?
What kIND of backgrouNDS Do
thEy havE? aND What’S It lIkE
to bE at thEologIcal collEgE?
luSa NSENga-Ngoy
“I was born in Congo, grew up
in Belgium, and came to England
six years ago to pastor a Frenchspeaking
church meeting in
Canterbury. Close contact with
Anglicans helped me to refine a
calling to ministry which had
already been affirmed by my
church in Belgium. I love being
at theological college. There’s a
real sense of warmth and
welcome. I’ll be doing a three-
year curacy in the Canterbury
diocese, and then may either
stay here or go abroad. I’m very
open to all the options facing me!”
bEcca phIllIpS
“I got my first call quite
powerfully when I was in my
final year at university. I was
reading a book about a troubled
man who tried to commit
suicide in prison, and he was
straight-jacketed and put in
solitary confinement. I felt a
sense of desperation about it,
but also of joy: I felt God had
grabbed my heart with a burden
for people in these situations,
saying, “This is what I want you
to do with your life!” I said to
my housemate the next morning
that I wanted to be a prison
chaplain. I spent three years
reading and praying before
going for selection. If anyone’s
thinking about ordination, I’d
say ‘Go for it!’ There’s a safety
net, in that the Church makes
the final decision—you can’t get
through by accident!”
mEEt SomE youNg
orDINaNDS
www.callwaiting.org.uk hello@callwaiting.org.uk
lukE tIllEtt
“I’m 20 now and after I finished
my A-Levels I applied for
teacher-training —but then
withdrew my UCAS form
within the week! I just had
a real sense that this wasn’t
what God wanted for me. I
eventually took on a job as a
trainee youth worker. I started
to get a real passion for the
idea of ordained ministry, so I
did more talking and praying,
and got through selection. I’m
now at theological college, and
sometimes I think it’s absolutely
right for me —while at other
times I wonder what on earth
I’m doing here! I’ve immensely
enjoyed the space to wrestle
with big theological ideas and
concepts, and working out what
it means to be me.”
Emma johNSoN
“I got my first sense of calling
on an Alpha course when I
was about 15 or 16, and that
course was the best thing
I’d ever done. Towards the
end of the course I had a vision
of myself in a cassock and
surplice, and I started talking
to my Diocesan Directoe of
Ordinands at 17. There were
times when I thought, ‘No way
am I doing this!” But I always
came back to it, and it became
the rhythm of my life. I spent
6 months in Zambia, teaching
in an Anglican seminary, and
while I loved it, I was envious
of the students because at the
end of classes I was still in the
classroom, but they could go
out into the parish! So I knew
then that ordination was for me.”
DavID youNg
“I’m half Chinese—born in
Shropshire. I came to Leeds at
18 to do a history degree. My
background is non-conformist,
and it was while I was working
for a homeless charity in Leeds
that I was first ‘exposed’ to
Anglicanism. And I started
to sense a call to Anglican
ordained ministry. Some days,
this feels like the worst idea in
the world—some days it just
ignites your passion and gets
you going. I felt committed
to staying in the North, and
Durham is beautiful; I also feel
very supported by the teaching
staff and students—there’s a
genuine sense of community.”
aNDrEW coopEr
“My calling was a long,
drawn-out process from an
early age, but I dismissed it,
thinking, ‘This sort of thing
doesn’t happen to me!” So I
stumbled off to university and
then got a job in IT, but I felt
there would be some sort of
major career change. Then my
vicar and a few friends kept
encouraging me about
ordination, and when I listed
all the reasons why I didn’t
want to do it, my friends told
me I was being ridiculous! So
eventually I got in touch with
my DDO, and went to selection
about 8 months later. I wasn’t
particularly pleased to be back
at college again, as I’m not very
academic and it’s a very essaybased
subject. But it helps that
this time it’s something that I
really want to do.”
You can meet other
young ordinands
and priests, and hear
some podcasts, at
our website: www.
callwaiting.org.uk
15

profIlE
Hear Ben’s podcast at
www.
callwaiting.
org.uk
www.callwaiting.org.uk hello@callwaiting.org.uk
bIblE
StuDy
group
Ben Norton, Bridlington
Where else would you expect to meet local
people, but in your local? Ben is an ordained
pioneer minister and curate, and enjoys
getting to know people over a good pint.
“I’m at a very traditional, middle-of-the-road
church, but as an ordained pioneer minister.
And because that’s all so new, I’m kind of
pioneering being a pioneer, in addition to
my normal duties as a curate! I’ve spent the
last 18 months praying, searching and
seeking where God was already on the
move. I get the opportunity to be with
people and hear things they don’t share
with others—but because of that, it can
also be a real heartache. I love the job, and
I love sharing my faith with others”
17

What Sort of jobS Do
orDaINED pEoplE Do?
thErE arE plENty of optIoNS for What you Do, aND
WhErE. you caN movE arouND bEtWEEN all SortS
of DIffErENt rolES, aND you caN movE bEtWEEN
DIocESES or EvEN couNtrIES.
www.callwaiting.org.uk hello@callwaiting.org.uk
there’s no formal career path
for priests, but there are lots of
opportunities for personal growth
and professional development,
including further education and
training throughout your ministry.
Most men and women start out in a parish,
and many stay in parish ministry throughout
their lives—combining evangelism with
pastoral care, preaching, teaching and
leading worship.
Some work in ordained ministry full-time,
while others continue with their existing
jobs (for example, there’s a priest whose
day-job is as a commercial airline pilot!)
Some work in a specialist ministry, as
chaplains to hospitals, prisons, industry,
schools, colleges, universities, and the
armed forces.
Some are ordained pioneer ministers,
and are likely to be involved with fresh
expressions of Church.
The main focus for a priest might also be
youth or children’s work, education, mission
and evangelism, ecumenism (working with
other Christian denominations), community
projects, and media work.
And it’s important to remember that there
are other, non-ordained roles which are also
essential in the life of the Church (such as
evangelist, especially in the Church Army;
missionary; Reader; and members of
religious communities, such as monks,
nuns, friars and sisters).
DEacoNS
People accepted for ordination as priests
are first ordained as deacons. Deacons
highlight the serving nature of all ministry.
They proclaim the gospel—in church and
outside—and are called to have a particular
care for those on the margins of society.
Usually after a year, a deacon is ordained
as a priest; however, some people are called
to remain life-long distinctive deacons.
prIEStS
The ministry of a priest is one of leadership
and mission, helping all Christians to realise
their potential as they witness to Christ.
They help to build up the Church through
the sacraments (including baptism and
holy communion), teaching, preaching and
pastoral care.
curatES
A curate is an assistant in a parish in his
or her first years of ordained life. They
work alongside the vicar or rector of the
parish, who is referred to as their ‘training
incumbent’, and with any other clergy and
lay people at the church to which they have
been appointed as they continue training
and formation ‘on the job’. A curacy
normally lasts for four years.
parISh prIEStS
These work mostly within the parish to
which they’re appointed, and are also likely
to act as chaplain to some local organisations.
Priests who are appointed as vicars or
rectors have overall responsibility for the
life of the parish church and its mission to
the community, and are helped by elected
lay officers (such as churchwardens and
PCC members) plus any other ordained
colleagues. You don’t have to stay a parish
priest forever—you can move in and out of
different roles, such as chaplaincies, or
administrative posts in the wider Church.
chaplaINS
Chaplains are ordained or lay people called
to ministry in primarily secular (non-church)
contexts; full- or part-time, paid or unpaid.
This may be in education (universities,
colleges and schools), hospitals, hospices,
prisons, the armed forces, or the workplace.
Chaplains serve people in a variety of ways,
including pastoral and spiritual support;
worship and prayer; preaching, teaching
and leading discussion.
orDaINED pIoNEEr mINIStErS
Some ordained ministers feel called to work
in pioneering ways which are complementary
to traditional parish structures, most likely
in ‘fresh expressions’ of Church. Whilst the
discernment and selection process is the
same as for all priests, to train as an ‘OPM’
you will need to have experience of a fresh
expression of church, and show good
evidence of visionary leadership ability and
a heart for mission and evangelism, among
other things.
bIShopS
Some priests are called to be bishops,
who oversee the life of a diocese and the
appointment of parish priests. They are
‘consecrated’ in order to serve in this ministry.
19

What
Sort of
pEoplE
bEcomE
prIEStS?
www.callwaiting.org.uk hello@callwaiting.org.uk
god celebrates the diversity of his
creation by calling unique and
distinctive people into ministry.
So the Church of England certainly
doesn’t have a ‘cookie-cutter’ approach to
selection!
All sorts of very different people are
selected and trained for ordained ministry,
bringing invaluable gifts and experiences
with them. The Church of England
welcomes a wide range of traditions, as
well as diversity in the sort of people who
come forward for ordination.
Priests work in many different contexts,
relating to a wide variety of people. As a
result, they need to be flexible—and able to
operate outside of their normal comfort zone!
Some are extrovert and outgoing; others
are quieter and more reflective. Some enjoy
the intellectual and academic challenges
of ministry and training; others prefer
the constant interaction with different
people on pastoral matters or on church or
community projects.
Each priest offers a unique and
distinctive blend of gifts, talents, skills
and experiences. What is common to
all priests is a love of both God and his
people, and a desire to serve. They also
have a commitment to prayer, especially in
offering all that they have and all that they
are to God, and praying both for and on
behalf of others.
Most importantly, being a priest is as much
about what you are as about what you do.
You may feel that God is calling you
to ordained ministry in the Church of
England. But it’s a big decision—and both
you and the Church need to be sure it’s the
right one!
You’ll need to fully explore your own sense
of vocation. Then, if you feel you have
a strong sense of vocation to ordained
ministry, you’ll need to see if other people
in the Church of England can also see you
in that role. Your bishop appoints certain
people to the role of discernment on behalf
of the Church. They will ask themselves
two crucial questions:
• Are you being called by God and his
Church to ordained ministry?
• Do you have the necessary gifts and
potential to fulfil your vocation?
In answering these questions, they will
want to focus on nine aspects of your life,
called the ‘criteria for selection’. You will
need to meet these nine criteria if the
answer to the above questions is to be ‘yes’.
IN thE arEa of... you WIll NEED to DEmoNStratE... you may bE aSkED...
Vocation ...a growing sense of being called by God to ministry and
mission which is obedient, realistic and informed. You’ll
need to talk about your own belief and how other people
may have confirmed it.
Ministry within the
Church of England
...an understanding of your own tradition within the Church
of England, and awareness of and commitment to its diverse
traditions and practice. You’ll need to talk about what it
means to be a deacon or priest, and show commitment to
proclaiming the gospel—through word and sacrament and
pastoral care.
Spirituality ...spiritual discipline, including a growing pattern of
disciplined daily prayer, Bible study and receiving of holy
communion. You should show a connection between your
prayer life and daily living, and an understanding of God’s
activity in your life.
Personality & character ...appropriate self-awareness and self-acceptance. You
should be able to face change and pressure in a flexible and
balanced way, and show a desire and capacity for selfdevelopment
and growth.
Relationships ...an awareness of your strengths, weaknesses and
vulnerabilities, and an ability to build and develop healthy
personal, pastoral and professional relationships. In all
aspects of your life and relationships, you should show
integrity.
Leadership &
collaboration
...the ability to offer leadership in the Church community
and, to some extent, in the wider community. You should
have an ability to guide and shape the life of the Church
in its mission to the world, and a willingness to use and
develop other people’s gifts.
Faith ...an understanding of the Christian faith, and a desire to
deepen your understanding of it. You should demonstrate a
personal commitment to Christ and a desire and ability to
share the gospel.
Mission & evangelism ...an understanding of the breadth of God’s mission to the
world, which carries through into your prayers, thoughts
and actions. You should be able to say what it means to share
the gospel of Christ, and be able to talk about him in a way
which is attractive and appropriate.
Quality of mind ...the necessary commitment and intellectual ability and
quality of mind to engage with training and the intellectual
demands of ministry. You should have a willingness to set
off on a life-long journey of ministerial and theological
training and development.
What signs have you noticed that God
may be calling you to ministry?
What effect has your calling had on you?
What do you appreciate most about the
Church of England?
In your experience, what makes a good
minister?
What’s your prayer-life like?
Where do you get spiritual support and
guidance from?
What are your main strengths and
weaknesses?
Temperamentally, how well-suited are
you to the ministry to which God may be
calling you?
How well do you relate to others?
What kind of relationships do you need to
support you in your vocation?
What has been your experience of
exercising leadership?
How good are you at working alongside
and motivating others?
What’s your gospel—what’s at the heart
of the good news you want to share?
What experiences in your life have
strengthened or weakened your faith?
How have you experienced God’s mission
to the world?
What does it mean to you to share the
gospel of Christ?
How best do you learn? Is it by listening,
watching, reading, or other ways?
What would excite you most about
theological training?
21

comE to our
coNfErENcES
Every year, the national vocations officer
of the Church of England organises
a weekend Vocations Conference for
men and women who want to explore
the idea of ordained ministry.
It runs over a weekend, from Friday
evening until after lunch on the
Sunday. There is a cost but concessions
are available.
A range of speakers will talk about
the spirituality of vocation; the ‘being’
and ‘doing’ of priests; the criteria
for selection; and what happens at a
Bishops’ Advisory Panel. There’s also
an opportunity to visit a parish, and to
reflect together on different models of
ministry and mission.
pluS!
There will now also be a Call Waiting...
vocations conference every year for
people aged 16-19. The cost will be
heavily subsidised, so why not get in
touch with us and get your name down!
Bookmark our website
Details of our conferences are posted
on our website, where there’s also an
online application form—
www.callwaiting.org.uk
Register your interest
If the details for the next conference
haven’t been published yet, you can
always email us and ask us to keep you
informed—hello@callwaiting.org.uk
When those tasked with discerning
your vocation to ordained ministry
at a local and diocesan level
think the time is right, they’ll ask
your bishop to sponsor you for a Bishops’
Advisory Panel, where the national level
of selection takes place. This is where
candidates are selected to go forward for
training as a priest.
These panels are held throughout the year,
and are arranged by the Ministry Division
of the Church of England. They normally
last from Monday to Wednesday, and you’ll
be expected to stay over for the whole time.
At a panel, you’re likely to meet up to 15
other men and women also going forward
for discernment, plus a total of 6 bishops’
advisers and a Bishops’ Advisory Panel
secretary from the Ministry Division. (The
advisers, drawn from all over the country,
are appointed by their bishops and trained
by the Ministry Division.)
thE SElEctIoN
procESS—
bEforE thE paNEl
Several months normally go by between
being sponsored by your diocese and your
panel. You’ll be asked to fill in a detailed
registration form, and to provide the
names of some referees.
You’ll also be asked to produce a ‘written
reflection’ of between 500 and 750 words,
on an aspect of mission and evangelism
related to your own experience and to
which you feel drawn as part of your calling.
Your diocesan director of ordinands
(DDO) will send your paperwork to the
Ministry Division, which in turn will send
you a booklet entitled Going to a Bishops’
Advisory Panel, explaining in detail what
will be expected of you.
at thE paNEl
At the panel, you’ll experience:
• three interviews with bishops’ advisers,
which will focus on the criteria for
selection;
• a presentation (which you’ll have prepared
beforehand) of up to five minutes on a
topic of your choice but relating to an
aspect of one of the criteria for selection;
• a group discussion, which involves
facilitating as well as participating in a
discussion group;
• a personal inventory, in which you’ll be
asked to respond in writing to a series of
questions based on the criteria for selection;
• a pastoral exercise, in which you’ll be
asked to respond in writing to a complex
pastoral situation.
These will help the bishops’ advisers to get
to know you as a person, and will show
them the ways in which you meet the
criteria for selection.
thE bIShopS’
aDvISory paNEl
aftEr thE paNEl
When the panel is over, the bishops’
advisers will send their recommendation
back to your sponsoring bishop, with whom
the decision about your future rests, in
the form of a report. The response of the
bishops’ advisers will take one of three forms:
• Recommended for training: The way is
open for you to start your training.
• Conditionally recommended for training:
This means that certain conditions need to
be fulfilled before you can enter training.
• Not recommended for training: If this is
the case, then reasons will be given. This
is not a denial of your calling to Christian
service and witness—but a call to do that
in ways other than ordained ministry.
Your diocesan director of ordinands and
vocations advisers will help you to explore
other ways of responding to your calling
to serve God.
23

traININg to
bE a prIESt—
What'S
INvolvED?
www.callwaiting.org.uk hello@callwaiting.org.uk
If the Church recognises your sense of call
to be a priest, you will be given training
before you are ordained—and then you
will continue to receive training and
formation as a curate. There will also be
opportunities for further development
throughout your ministry.
The purpose of training is to equip you for
a ministry in which you are continually
learning.
Throughout their working life, each priest
experiences considerable growth in their
skills, experiences and abilities. Each setting
and situation calls upon and teaches different
skills. It’s a demanding experience!
DurINg thE
DIScErNmENt pErIoD
You’ll probably be encouraged to do some
kind of theological learning and
exploration of different styles of ministry
and worship during the phase leading up to
attending your Bishops’ Advisory Panel.
oNcE you’vE bEEN
rEcommENDED for traININg
Your diocesan director of ordinands will help
you find the best theological college or course
for you, taking into account your previous
experience and family commitments.
thEologIcal traININg
Training usually lasts 2 or 3 years,
depending on your previous academic
training and age. It can be full-time and
residential, part-time and non-residential,
or a mixture of the two.
The Church of England has a variety of
theological colleges, which offer full-time
training courses. It also has a national
network of theological courses offering
part-time study—this is mainly for older
candidates.
People training for ordained pioneer
ministry will do a mixture of residential
and non-residential training, often whilst
deployed as a lay worker in a local church.
payINg for your traININg
Candidates will never be prevented from
doing their training through lack of funding.
Training grants are available from central
church funds, and your diocesan director
of ordinands will explain in detail how
your training will be financed.
Further training opportunities—and
grants to pursue them—are available
throughout a priest’s working life.
curacy
Part of your training, and your formation
as a minister, is working as a curate—
usually for around four years. Curates meet
regularly with others who were ordained at
the same time, to support each other and to
continue their studies.
What If
orDINatIoN’S
Not for
you—
but you StIll
WaNt to
SErvE IN thE
church?
having a passion for God and a desire
to serve him are both amazing,
whether you end up as an ordained
priest or not.
You might decide to have a different career
entirely, and to serve your own church in your
spare time, in ways which match your gifts.
You may decide that being ordained
just isn’t for you. Or, rather than being
recommended for training as a priest, you
may be advised that your talents and skills
are more suited to another role.
Or you may decide on working full-time
for the Church of England in a lay (nonordained)
capacity. If so, what are some of
your options?
church army EvaNgElIStS
These are lay or sometimes ordained
ministers who share their faith through
words and actions, and help other people
to do the same. Over 500 evangelists and
staff are in service in Anglican churches,
projects and teams across the UK and
Ireland. They’re trained and sent to work in
five areas: evangelism; children and young
people; church planting; homeless people;
and older people.
Find out more: www.churcharmy.org.uk
rEaDEr mINIStry
Readers are lay people called to serve in a
preaching, teaching and pastoral ministry.
They’re selected at diocesan level, and
their theological training—which usually
lasts 3 years and leads to the Church of
England Readers’ Certificate—includes
proclaiming the gospel, leading worship
and ministering alongside their parish
priests. Before training begins, they must
be recommended by their parish priest and
their parochial church council.
Find out more:
www.readers.cofe.anglican.org
thE rElIgIouS lIfE
Some men and women are called to live as
a monk or a nun, a friar or a sister. Their
ways of life are very varied. Some are more
enclosed, contemplative communities
whose prime task is to bring the world
to God in prayer, and to be a prophetic
witness that God is worth giving up
everything for. Some are more ‘active’,
and members hold together a life of prayer
and of service—in education, mission,
prayer guidance or ministry to those on
the margins of society. Many of them,
both lay and ordained, live in community
throughout the country. Some people are
called to live as oblates of a community or
secular Franciscans, living alone or with
their family, giving and receiving support
from their chosen community and keeping
a personal rule of life under the guidance
of a spiritual director.
Find out more: Look at the Anglican
Religious Communities Yearbook,
published by Canterbury Press, or
www.thekingdomisyours.org.uk
accrEDItED lay mINIStry
Some people feel called to help the Christian
community in its work, but don’t feel called
to ordination. Such men and women can
therefore be selected and trained to work
as administrators, educators, missionaries,
or in other specialist areas.
chaplaINcy
Chaplains can be lay or ordained people
called to ministry in primarily secular
(non-church) contexts—full-time or parttime,
paid or unpaid. They try to meet the
spiritual needs of people living, working,
studying, caring or being cared for—whether
in education, hospitals and hospices, prisons,
the armed forces, or the workplace.
25

It all probably seems like a lot to take
in. And perhaps you’re wondering,
“What do I do next?”
Prayer, talking and reading will help
you. Exploring the nature of your true
calling is an important process, and
you mustn’t rush it. What can be more
important than discovering what God
has in store for you—for his glory, and
for the good of all his people!
www.callwaiting.org.uk hello@callwaiting.org.uk
pray
Ask God for the guidance of his Holy Spirit.
Ask to be given the grace to be open to
whatever God may be calling you to do,
and the courage to say Yes to that call.
You may feel that what God’s asking is beyond
you. But God often calls those who think
they’re not up to it, or who are surprised by
the call. And he never calls us to something
we can’t do, and gives us his grace to
enable us to fulfil our true calling.
talk
You’ll need to talk to a lot of people as you
explore your calling. Your first stop is
normally your parish priest or chaplain,
who’ll put you in touch with a vocations
adviser or the diocesan director of ordinands.
You’ll probably meet other people exploring
their own calling, so spend time sharing
with them and listening to their stories,
too—it will help you.
If you can, share your thoughts with
your family and friends. They know you
well—sometimes better than you know
yourself!—and will be quick to tell you
whether they think it’s the wrong idea or,
more likely, that your vocation comes as no
surprise to them. Family and friends can be
a fantastic source of encouragement, but
not everyone has that support.
Every year, vocations events and
conferences are held all over the country.
Details of these can be found on our
website, at www.callwaiting.org.uk
rEaD
Read as much as you can! One of the signs
of a vocation is that it’s well-informed—
and for it to be informed, you need to
develop your understanding of what you
feel called to do.
For instance, if you have a calling to
ordained ministry, you’ll need to have done
some reading on what that is and the sort
of things you’d do.
Reading around the criteria for selection
(see pages 20-21) will be of enormous
help to you too, because at various stages
of the discernment process you’ll be
asked searching questions. Reading, and
thinking about what you have learned, will
help you to answer with greater confidence
and understanding.
The Ministry Division compiles a
comprehensive reading list which you can
find at our website, www.callwaiting.org.uk
a prayEr to hElp you
Father,
I abandon myself into your hands.
Do with me whatever you will.
Whatever you may do I thank you.
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me and
all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands I commend my soul.
I offer it to you with all the love of
my heart.
For I love you Lord and so need to
give myself,
surrender myself into your hands
without reserve and with boundless
confidence for you are my Father.
Amen
—Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916)
aND NoW pray, talk, rEaD

profIlE
tourINg
thE
parISh
Richard Hall,
via Afghanistan
Sometimes ministry really is frontline
stuff. Richard’s a chaplain with
the British Army, taking care of the
spiritual well-being of soldiers and
serving civilians both at home and on
active service.
As a padre he’s done tours in places you
wouldn’t want to spend six minutes, let
alone six months. He’s ministered to people
who are scared, wounded, traumatised and
bereaved. But service always comes with
sacrifices attached, whether you’re in the
Army or the Church. Being in both brings its
own challenges and its own rewards. Who
better to understand the spiritual concerns
of a soldier in the line of fire than the padre
who’s right there with them?
For more information, contact the vocations officer at the
Ministry Division at hello@callwaiting.org.uk or visit the
website at www.callwaiting.org.uk