A note from Bishop Knisely:
We are delighted to invite Episcopalians to explore the sacred journey of discerning a call to ministry. Whether you feel drawn to serve as a priest or deacon, or are considering a path that will lead to more intentional lay ministry, we encourage you to embark on this process of shared discernment. Together, we will seek to understand God’s call in your life and how you can best serve our community. Join us in this transformative journey, where your unique gifts and passions can flourish in service to others.
+Nicholas
What is a vocation?
A vocation is a divine call (or strong desire) to spend your life doing a certain kind of work or lifestyle. While we tend to think of only clergy as having a vocation, all Christians can have a vocation. Your vocation may be the job you hold, or the life you live as a family member or a passion you have to serve others. One of the places to begin your discernment is to talk with your priest, a spiritual director or someone with whom you share your spiritual journey.
Ordained ministry
In the Diocese of Rhode Island, those who are pursuing a vocation in the ordained ministry are required to follow a path outlined by the Commission on Ministry.
God calls us all in different ways
Here are some resources to help you discern where God might be calling you.
- Courses offered by Bexley-Seabury Seminary: Pathways for Baptismal Living
- Richard Nelson Bolles, How to Find Your Mission in Life
- Suzanne Farnham, et al Listening Hearts: Discerning Call in Community
- Parker J. Palmer, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation
Learn more about religious orders and intentional Christian communities.
