THE PATH OF DISCERNMENT TO HOLY ORDERS
At C4SO, we believe in the priesthood of all believers. Whether lay leaders or ordained clergy, we all have a role to play as part of churches that are truly for the sake of others, stewarding God’s grace in its various forms. Some of us serve as staff and ministerial leaders at a church and are called to serve as Licensed Lay Ministers. Others are called to a lifetime vocation of ordained ministry—the diaconate, the priesthood, or both—within the Anglican Church. If you believe God is calling you to ordained ministry within C4SO, let’s first explore what ordination means.
Ordained ministry is both a “setting apart” of a leader within a community for a lifetime and a sacramental rite of the one holy, catholic and apostolic church. That’s why C4SO’s Path of Discernment to Holy Orders is just that — a path. It’s a journey we take together as a community of faith, exploring what God has for an individual as an aspiring member of C4SO clergy, how He has uniquely equipped them for the sake of others, and where He is leading them to serve. We are committed to prayerfully considering individuals from the beginning of the journey to the end, making sure we are thorough and intentional as we walk alongside them, letting the Holy Spirit lead us together.
Mission Statement
Because C4SO exists to spread the gospel through church planting, we ordain ministers, both women and men, who are serving in paid or stipend positions in growing C4SO churches that need more clergy; or having achieved a healthy core congregation, are ready to lead a church plant.
Alignment to C4SO’s Vision and Values
Ordination is a Divinely-initiated and sponsored process. Ordination is not a civil or personal right. Neither is it owned or controlled by various denominational judicatories or bishops. It is God who calls, gives character, gifts and ministry-fruit. The Church, in any form, recognizes such people, and in Anglican circles, discerns which of them are called to Holy Orders. Then we simply seal that discernment by publicly recognizing, in the form of an ordination service, what God has done from before time (Psalm 139, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Isaiah 6:1-8, Luke 9,10 sending passages, Ephesians 2:10, John 20:19-23, Revelation 22:5, etc.). The real differentiating power begins, stays and ends with God, not the candidate or church hierarchy. C4SO cannot give the gifts or fruit of the Spirit. We can coach, mentor, teach and offer relationship, but we can’t create effectiveness. And demonstrated fruit-of-proven–ministry is the chief box to be checked in the ordination process.
Our Ideal Candidate
Because C4SO seeks to focus on church planting and multiplying apprentices to Jesus in kingdom living, we ordain people who are called to start churches or to work in a substantive, paid role in a growing local church.*
Such candidates will possess these attributes:
- Character and the lifelong pursuit of spiritual transformation through apprenticeship to Jesus, as the core of their life
- Competency: a proven track of fruitful ministry (based on the testimony of others)
- Calling: a clear purpose, people to serve and place to work
- Alignment to core C4SO values: Kingdom, Spirit, Formation, Mission, Sacrament
- A paid/stipend place to work/serve
*A vocational deacon might not get paid from a local church, but they should be able to demonstrate the ability to raise money for whatever ministry they are doing in the world and should have the financial backing of a church.
Steps Along the Path of Discernment
Individual explores their calling with Priest/Rector
Individual meets with Dean and Ordination Preparation Team
Individual undergoes training and assessments, as well as a Bishop’s review
Ordinand and Rector work with diocesan office to plan ordination