THE PATH OF DISCERNMENT TO HOLY ORDERS
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 with, and ends with God, not the candidate or church hierarchy. The diocese 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
Resources to Help You Discern
“How I Discerned My Call to the Priesthood” with the Rev. Teesha Hadra
Every person’s path to Holy Orders is different, but hearing from others who have gone before is reassuring and helpful as you’re discerning your own call. The Rev. Teesha Hadra of Church of the Resurrection L.A. shares her personal journey of discerning a call, leaving an established career, pursuing training and taking a leap of faith into the unknown.
“The Key to a Smooth Ordination Process” with the Bishop Todd Hunter and the Very Rev. Cliff Warner
Bishop Todd Hunter interviews the Very Rev. Cliff Warner of Christ Church Austin about why honestly assessing the condition of your heart can help the ordination process unfold smoothly.
“My Advice on Navigating the Ordination Process” with the Rev. Derek Metcalf
The Rev. Derek Metcalf of Christ Church Overland Park learned a few things walking through the ordination process with his Rector, the Very Rev. Patrick Wildman. Here, he gives his best advice to other men and women just beginning the Path of Discernment to Holy Orders.
“My Experience Discerning Ordination as a Woman of Color” with the Rev. Teesha Hadra
The Rev. Teesha Hadra of Church of the Resurrection L.A. shares what it was like for her as a woman of color walking C4SO’s Path of Discernment to Holy Orders.