Christian Vocation
Contact: The Revd Dr Jeffrey Heskins (Diocesan Director of Ordinands)
The job of the Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO) is to help discern what pattern of Christian service or ministry God may be calling you to.
As we imagine the various possibilities for our journey through life we hear many different voices competing for our attention: challenging ones, urging us to be heroic in our self-giving; soothing ones reassuring us that we are comfortable enough where we already are. How do we decide where to place our energy and the commitment of our life to God?
It is not a job we can do alone. All through Christian history people seeking understanding of God's call in and on their lives have sought out others to accompany them in their search and to test out ideas, feelings, urges, desires.
These pages are designed to help you begin that process. They will provide basic information about the process for offering yourself for ordained ministry in the Church of England and the requirements and selection criteria for it. You will also find our leaflet Opportunities for Ministry helpful and copies of this can be obtained from Mrs Margaret Morton at Church House, Lincoln 01522 50 40 26.
In the sacrament of baptism we all put on Christ. We are gifted with the potential to reflect Christ in the world. Whether single or married, female or male, deacon or priest, lay person or ordained each of us is called to help bring Christ's salvation to the world. In whatever capacity we end up serving God, we can never be more baptised than we already are! This is the root of all our service and ministry.
Links to other websites, which provide information about different kinds of vocation and work for God:
www.readers.cofe.anglican.org and www.lincolnreaders.org
These sites give information about the ministry of Reader in the Church of England. Readers are Authorized Lay Ministers of the Word, teachers, preachers and leaders of public worship.
This site gives information about the ministry of Evangelist in the Church Army.
This site provides information about the various Anglican Religious Communities one can join or become affiliated to as a Religious Brother, Sister, Associate or Oblate.
This is the national Church of England website. Click on Life Events for more information about ordained ministry and its place in our national church.
We live in challenging times in our world and in our Church. As we move forward in our Diocese into new ventures in ministry, we know that we will need all faithful people
- to play their part
- to risk engaging themselves with the creative venture of the Spirit
- to be radical in their commitment and discipleship
- to offer themselves wholeheartedly in the service of Christ.
Please pray that we may respond faithfully to Christ's Call.
A prayer:
GOD has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another; I have my mission - I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next.
I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good, I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place while not intending it - if I do but keep His commandments. Therefore I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends; He may throw me amongst strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me - still He knows what He is about.
(John Henry Newman)
The following pages will give you an indication of what the process of exploration and discernment of your sense of calling will entail. Please read them prayerfully and faithfully, trusting that God will guide you onwards.
Christian Vocation: Ethos and theological rationale
Christian Vocation: The process of exploration
Christian Vocation: Selection Criteria for Ordained Ministry
Christian Vocation: Suggestions and questions
Christian Vocation: Suggested books to read
