Ministry Pathways
Is this Path a Good Fit for Me?
Making a decision like this is one that happens in community with others and with God. As you already know, this is the spiritual practice of discernment, which requires a lot of prayer and self-reflection and listening for the movement of God’s Spirit in your life, which is why we have invited you to join us at Discovery Weekend as your next faithful step.
It’s also important to listen to and seek wise counsel from trusted friends and family members. You may also want to begin meeting with a Spiritual Director. It is also vital for you to visit with your Rector, Vicar, or Head of Congregation during your discernment process.
Please take some time to reflect on these Vows and Commitments below to help you as you continue the discernment process. Reflect carefully on these statements. We recommend writing down your thoughts in a journal so you can share your answers with others when you discern with them.
What are my vows as a deacon?
Taken from Ordination Vows (BCP, 543):
- Be loyal to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of Christ as the Episcopal Church has received them
- Obey your bishop and other ministers who have authority over you in your work
- Serve all the people, especially the poor, weak, sick, and lonely
- Study Scripture – seek nourishment from them; model your life on them
- Make Christ’s love known by your word and example to those with whom you live, work, and worship
- Interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world
- Assist the Bishop and priests in public worship and in the ministration of God’s Word and Sacraments
- Show Christ’s people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself
What are my commitments as a deacon?
(adapted from ECMN Discipleship Hallmarks for Leadership)
- Commit to deepen relationship with God and to grow in faith with prayer, reading scripture, and commitment to worship and study
- Regular habit to practices of discipleship, modeling the rigor and discipline of prayer as a primary vehicle to walking the Way of Jesus
- Approach innovation and transformation as servant-leaders, advocates, witnesses and prophets, forming partnerships and relationships with others to build capacity for God’s mission, and leading and inspiring all people into the servant ministry of all believers.
- Respond to God’s call to service, justice, mercy, compassion, love, and peace for all creation.
- Believe that we are serving Christ as we serve particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, the lonely, the marginalized, the forgotten, and the unseen.
- Live out God’s ministries in the community and world with courage, tenacity, vision and hope.
- Dance on the edge of what is and what’s possible, bearing the light of Christ, proclaiming truth, and blurring boundaries.
- Articulate and preach the diaconal invitation to join God at work in the world
Does the call to the pathway of the
Diaconate still resonate with you?
Then keep going…
What gifts, skills, and talents do you bring with you into this ministry?
If you have already explored the Thresholds of Vocation pages, then you may have a solid grasp on some of your talents. You can also explore these TEAC grids developed by the Anglican Communion to assist you in exploring some gifts and skills needed for the Diaconate.
Go through these grids and highlight the skills you feel confident you possess. Which ones need further discernment and development?
Part of discernment is trying out some of the ministry practices that you believe you are called to, and there are many ways to do this…
(Be sure to discern with your Rector, Vicar, or Head of Congregation which of these options are right for you and your congregation)
- Use the Book of Common Prayer in your daily life: Pray the Office, Use the Devotionals
- Read the Bible
- Get out into your community
- Join a Neighborhood Association
- Volunteer at a non-profit that does similar work as your church and begin building relationships
- Explore Missional Communities
- Practice civic engagement with your congregation to explore your skills around listening and working with opinions that are different than your own
- Join the Eucharistic Ministry team as both a LEM and a LEV to begin exploring your pastoral care skills
- Assist with leading Morning Prayer and engage more deeply with the liturgy of the church
Formation 