Call to Ministry

Baptized Christians
Ordained Ministers
The Order of Deacons
The Order of Priests
A profile of Deacons and Priests we seek in the Diocese of Maine


Baptized Christians
We are all Christian ministers by virtue of our Baptism. We are all called to share in Christ's eternal Priesthood. Thus the ministry of the laity is the foundation upon which the Church was established, the structure which gives it strength throughout its history. We emphasize the importance of lay ministry to the lives of individual faith communities and the larger Church. Every Baptized Christian is called upon to bring the presence of Christ into the home, workplace, and the community. We celebrate the gifts that members of the laity bring to the Church, and we recognize that celebration of individual ministry need not, and usually does not, lead to a call to ordination.

Lay ministers with special gifts often need encouragement to allow these gifts to develop. This diocese is committed to helping our laity exercise their ministry. We strongly oppose the view that a lay member with serious commitment to ministry can have that devotion recognized or fulfilled only through ordination. Academic accomplishment, a life of caring and compassion, a history of personal struggle and courage, a strong personal sense of being called, are all valuable assets, but they do not of themselves mean a call to ordination. This diocese seeks ways to affirm and continue to raise up strong, vibrant lay ministers.

Ordained Ministers
Within the context of the general ministry of the people of God, the Church calls out certain women and men for ordained leadership roles. This leadership must be well chosen, highly trained and committed to serving God and the Church. The call to Holy Orders comes to the individual both from God and from the Church. Therefore discernment of the call occurs within the context of the community.

It is the task of COHO to assist the Bishop, the individual and the Church mutually to discern and evaluate a vocation to ordination. The need for ordained leadership in our Church suggests that only a very few will exercise their Baptismal ministry through ordination. It is the responsibility of the Bishop and the representatives of the Church to recommend prayerfully--and very possibly to identify and recruit-- the strongest and most appropriate candidates for ordained ministry to fulfill the mission of the Church at large.

The Order of Deacons
The word Deacon comes from a Greek word meaning "servant" or "envoy." The unique role of the Deacon among the ordained is to represent Christ and his redemptive love in the world and to interpret the needs, concerns and hopes of the world to the Church. The role of Deacon requires unique gifts and formation, serving as an "ordained messenger of the faith" outside the walls of the congregation. Deacons model how to be in the Church and in the world as servants, and they have the ability to inspire that life in others. Deacons help the laity to be free to find places of connection with God in their lives beyond Sunday morning. Deacons are not those who alone do the work of the Church in the world; rather, they gather, lead, equip, and inform the laity in that work. In all their work, Deacons enhance the ministry of the laity, not supplant it.

Deacons must be academically trained in Holy Scriptures and able to integrate scripture into their Diaconal ministry and the liturgy, often including preaching. They must be conversant in Christian ethics and societal issues. Deacons must be well versed theologically and translate through their work the Church's understanding of the Paschal mystery, the Incarnation, Baptismal servanthood and Eucharistic community.

Because in this Diocese the Diaconate is non-stipendiary, those who are called to this ministry must exhibit the energy necessary for a full schedule of work both in and outside the Church. Deacons serve under the authority of the Bishop and are assigned in the Diocese of Maine where needed. Deacons will in most cases work under the direct supervision of a Priest, and the capacity to work comfortably in a subordinate position is fundamental to the Diaconate. Deacons will be expected to live a Rule of Life, which includes prayer, immersion in Scripture, self-examination and regular study. Deacons will seek regular continuing education opportunities in order to grow in their vocation. Lastly Deacons will participate in the diocesan community of Deacons as fully as possible.

The Order of Priests
The ministry of the Priest, as a representative of Christ and the Church, is customarily, though not exclusively, within a designated congregation where the Priest serves primarily as celebrant of the sacraments and transmitter and interpreter of the tradition of the faith. The Priest is also a participant in the collegium of presbyters and assists the Bishop in the councils of the diocese. Essential elements for this ministry are prayer, reflection, study, teaching, preaching, so that the sacerdotal life is lived with integrity and depth. In the hands and heart of the Priest should reside such a love of Christ and the Church that others are drawn into the grace of a spiritual life.

The Priest is also responsible for administration and institutional community building. A Priest is a representative, calling forth the priesthood of all believers and providing an example of a faithful life in Christ. Perhaps the greatest challenge for today's Priest is to lead the Body of Christ in living out its mission in the world. The Priest must be able to equip the saints for their ministry, not just in the parish, but in the wider world where God-talk and servanthood are alien and risky.


A profile of Deacons and Priests we seek in the Diocese of Maine
We believe that it is fair and helpful to all who take part in this process for us to be clear about the qualities and attributes we seek. First of all, the Deacons and Priests we seek must be committed to knowing and following Jesus, the Christ, and showing strong signs of growth toward maturity as Christians.

We believe that a person called to ordained ministry must:

• Firmly believe the vows he or she will take at ordination regarding the Holy Scriptures and conformity to the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church. She or he will accept the authority of the Bishop and have an open mind and loving heart for those within and outside our Church, who faithfully struggle with their beliefs.

• Show ability to offer leadership in the Church and in the outside world. This would include the capacity to offer an example of faith and discipleship, to collaborate effectively with others and to guide and shape the life of the Church community in its mission to the world as community-builders, competent administrators, and reconcilers.

• Be able to speak of his or her vocation to ministry and mission. This sense of vocation will be obedient, realistic, and informed.

• Show an understanding of the Christian faith and a desire for a deeper understanding. Be in love with the faith, being formed by the Anglican tradition and always open to mystery and God's new revelation. Have a vision of what the community of faith might become and an energy and enthusiasm to inspire others. Delight in shared ministry. Demonstrate personal commitment to Christ and a capacity to communicate the Gospel.

• Show evidence of a commitment to a spiritual discipline, involving individual and corporate prayer and worship. Be able to create a sense of harmony, order and reverence which draws people into the presence of God.

• Be sufficiently mature and stable to show ability to sustain the demanding role of an ordained minister and to face change and pressure in a flexible and balanced way. Know how to get and receive consultation and personal help when needed.

• Demonstrate self-awareness and self-acceptance as a basis for developing open and healthy professional, personal and pastoral relationships as ministers. Possess a sense of humor, reflecting trust and delight in God's surprises. Show respect for the tradition of the Church on matters of sexual morality and other ethical issues.

• Have the necessary intellectual capacity and quality of mind to undertake a course of theological study and pastoral preparation.

These qualities will be most obvious in well seasoned individuals, though no one is expected to possess all of them. In those who are still very young, we will seek a particular hunger to grow in these areas. We hope that we will always make room for the godly mavericks who will never fit a checklist.

Because the training and nurturing of Postulants and Candidates require a considerable commitment of time and energy from the Diocesan community, it is impossible for the Diocese to accept all persons who might qualify for Holy Orders. In selecting Postulants COHO will also consider the particular needs of this Diocese as they may be manifested at various times.