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Serving the Church
Overview
Reviewing Leadership Opportunities
Priests
Those who choose to serve the church as their vocation. Becoming ordained in this Episcopal order means graduating from a three-year Seminary. Priests work as parish ministers, leading a congregation and administering communion.
Deacons
Those who choose to serve directly under the bishop. They attend classes given by the Diocese, and once they pass a final examination, they are empowered to perform some clerical functions. The bishop then assigns them to work in their communities, helping the poor, sick and oppressed.
Lay Leaders
Those who feel a powerful urge to serve the church, though not in an ordained position. They are willing to invest a significant amount of time in training, so as to use their talents wisely in roles ranging from evangelists and healers to translators and administrators.
Religious Residents
Those who wish to live the Christian life together. In a traditional religious order, members are committed for life, holding all possessions in common and taking vows of celibacy and obedience. The more contemporary religious communities are similar in intent, though they often waive the mandatory vows.
Start the Process
No matter which leadership opportunity appeals to you, begin by asking your rector to recommend you for a weekend discernment retreat. Attending one of these retreats—held three times a year by the Diocese—marks the first step towards interpreting a call to church service and mapping out the process leading to fulfillment in the particular role you choose.
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