Ordination
"Ordination is the rite in which God gives authority and the grace of the Holy Spirit to those being made bishops, priests, and deacons, through prayer and the laying on of hands by bishops." (BCP, 860)
The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons. The ministry of the laity is to represent Christ and his Church out in the world and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church. Those called into narrower, more specialized roles, are then set aside and ordained to fulfill those specific positions in the greater life of the community.
Bishops represent Christ and his Church as apostle, chief priest, and pastor of a diocese. They are tasked with guarding the faith, unity, and discipline, of the whole Church; and they are called to ordain others to continue Christ's ministry.
Priests represent Christ and his Church as pastor to the people, sharing in the oversight of the Church along with the bishop, to proclaim the Gospel, administer the Sacraments, and to bless and declare pardon in the name of God.
Deacons represent Christ and his Church by serving those in need, and by assisting the bishop and priests in the proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments.
The ordination process is open to anyone who senses a call from God to serve in these particular roles. It involves several years of discernment, exploring and praying with others where God is calling you to serve. Contact us if you would like to further explore how God is calling on you to minister to the world and to the Church.
The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons. The ministry of the laity is to represent Christ and his Church out in the world and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church. Those called into narrower, more specialized roles, are then set aside and ordained to fulfill those specific positions in the greater life of the community.
Bishops represent Christ and his Church as apostle, chief priest, and pastor of a diocese. They are tasked with guarding the faith, unity, and discipline, of the whole Church; and they are called to ordain others to continue Christ's ministry.
Priests represent Christ and his Church as pastor to the people, sharing in the oversight of the Church along with the bishop, to proclaim the Gospel, administer the Sacraments, and to bless and declare pardon in the name of God.
Deacons represent Christ and his Church by serving those in need, and by assisting the bishop and priests in the proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments.
The ordination process is open to anyone who senses a call from God to serve in these particular roles. It involves several years of discernment, exploring and praying with others where God is calling you to serve. Contact us if you would like to further explore how God is calling on you to minister to the world and to the Church.