How to Become an Episcopalian Minister
Becoming an Episcopalian Minister requires more than just an individual calling to join the ministry. It involves a step-by-step process that ensures each minister is not only committed to service, but prepared for that service as well. Becoming an Episcopalian minister is a community effort as well as an individual one. It requires the support of your congregation's leaders, local members of the church, as well as the bishop's support and approval. According to the canons of the Episcopal Church, the process follows an 18-month timeline. Actual time commitment may vary however, sometimes taking as long as 4 to 6 years. At the end though, you'll be able to answer your calling, reaching a final goal of ordination.
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Instructions
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Attend a seminary to earn the Master of Divinity degree. During your studies make sure to include courses in the Bible, Christian theology and ethics, history of the church, and contemporary society. You'll have to take courses covering the Anglican prayer book, music and liturgy of the church and ministry as well. Check with the dioceses you wish to minister within for any additional requirements.
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Complete a period of discernment to consider whether you've actually been called to serve as a priest. Meet several times with your priest during this period to discuss your desire to become a priest. Wait for your priest to contact the diocese's Commission on Ministry, to recommend you for an interview by the commission. After interviewing, wait for the commission to make a recommendation of you to the bishop who will be admitting you as a candidate, also called a postulant, to the priesthood.
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Submit an application to the bishop for admission as a postulant for the priesthood. Include a letter of support signed by the members of the vestry and the rector of your current congregation. Wait as the church does a background check, a medical screening and psychological evaluation of you. Meet the bishop for a personal interview and then wait at least 6 months during a candidacy period. If all of the checks and the interview prove successful, you'll gain eligibility towards being ordained as a deacon.
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Apply to the bishop for ordination as a deacon. Include your letter of support with your application as well as certification from the seminary you attended containing the records of your having completed the necessary coursework. You'll also need a recommendation from the seminary for ordination. Wait for the application to be approved and to be ordained as a deacon.
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Serve as an ordained deacon for six months. Make sure your background, medical and psychological tests are recent, less than three years old. If they aren't update the necessary tests to bring them up to date. Apply for ordination with your bishop, including the letter of support and academic record from the seminary with the application. Wait for the review of the information provided and meet with the bishop if necessary before you're ordained as a Episcopalian minister.
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Tips & Warnings
Consult with the priest of your congregation often during the process to ensure that you're meeting all necessary requirements during each step.
If at any time during the process of ordination you decide to join a congregation affiliated with the Anglican Church in North America, you must consult with a Bishop in that diocese before continuing with the process.
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