How to Get Ordained As an Episcopal Priest

Becoming an Episcopal priest involves many steps.

Getting ordained as an Episcopal priest involves following specific ordination paths with different levels of abilities and authorities for ministry tasks along the way. The process takes anywhere from two to six years, depending on the level at which you come into the process. (Reference 1, Page 1). There are several tasks you and other church leadership will need to complete during each stage. Your church leadership will walk you through each of the steps, although you, as the candidate, will be primarily responsible for completing a majority of the paperwork along the way.

Things You'll Need

• Master's degree in Theology, Divinity or Pastoral Studies

Instructions

1. Become an active member at your local parish or Episcopal church for a minimum of two years. This is the time you will get to know the congregation and current clergy members. Take classes provided to you by the church, such as cultural sensitivity training, sexual misconduct awareness and child abuse prevention training.

2. Meet with your church leadership for interviews to determine whether or not ordination as an Episcopal priest is a good fit based on your talents, gifts and known character habits. Church leadership may or may not decide to proceed with the ordination process at that time. If you get to continue, you will spend six months meeting with a special "discernment" committee that will help develop your talents and skills, and help you meet challenges you could face as a priest. Upon successful completion of this phase, you will be recommended to higher church leadership as a nominee for ordination.

3. Fill out application paperwork and essay papers, and attend all conferences as directed by the church leadership.

4. Complete your psychological and medical evaluations. These evaluations are used to ensure you are of a sound mind and capable of performing ministry work. Your background check will also be run during this time.

5. Participate in four yearly evaluations by church staff until you complete your ordination. You will be evaluated on character, skill development, church history and handling spiritual matters.

6. Begin or complete seminary training. During seminary, you will learn church history and tradition in depth, and go through hands-on training, assisting current clergy with weddings, funerals, baptisms and more.

7. Provide all completed paperwork and transcripts to the appropriate committees for evaluation. If it has been longer than three years since your background, medical and psychological evaluations, you will be required to take them again.

8. Receive confirmation of a transitional ordination. You may be offered work in the church you're in or you may be given permission to seek work in other Episcopal churches. Under the transitional ordination, you will work under the supervision of current clergy as you officiate at religious ceremonies. You will serve in this role for approximately six months prior to becoming fully ordained.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the time during the ordination process to really contemplate whether or not you want ordination to be a lifelong commitment. Each committee you work with and each clergy member you work with will gauge your character and pay attention to your personal life habits. From time to time, certain clergy or board members may offer you advice or suggestions. Take them seriously, as these people have traveled the path before you.

• Do not lie or falsify anything on your application or paperwork during the ordination processes. You can be held accountable by both law and the congregation you seek to serve.

References

• Dioceses of Newark: Commission on Ministry