Explore a call to ordained ministry

SECOND-YEAR CURATES WITH BISHOP ROSE AT THEIR ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD IN 2021 (Photo: Jim Drew)

At the beginning of the services where deacons and priests are ordained, the Bishop or Archbishop reads these words:

“The Church is the Body of Christ, the people of God and the dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit. In baptism the whole Church is summoned to witness to God’s love and to work for the coming of his kingdom. To serve this royal priesthood, God has given particular ministries…”

The ministry of deacons and priests in the Church of England is a ministry of service, both privately in prayer and the study of scripture and publicly as they lead the people of God in worship, preach and teach and take the good news of Jesus into the world. As such, those who are ordained into the Church of England will be able to recognise and articulate both an inner (individual/private) call and an external (public/affirmed) call to that ministry.

Because recognising and articulating that call is a task for which we need the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we use the term ‘discernment’ when talking about the process.


The discernment process is described in detail in this booklet. It is an in-depth process designed to nurture and test both your internal sense of call and the church’s external call to you to enter ordained ministry.

For more information about the discernment process, please talk to your local clergy, or contact the Diocesan Director of Ordinands, The Revd Jon Marlow.

Page last updated: Monday 9th October 2023 2:59 PM
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