| Ministry
Vocations To Ministry
To inquire about vocations in the Free Episcopal Church, we invite you to review the rest of this page, and then click here to email the FEC National Office.
In the Free Episcopal Church - as in many small churches - our clergy support themselves financially in "secular" jobs, and live their ministries alongside these jobs. This is an ancient model of leadership in both Jewish and Christian traditions - but it is certainly not the easiest! The FEC has no paid positions, and provides no benefits such as insurance or retirement. Each Lay Minister, Deacon, Priest and Bishop is a pioneer in building a local ministry as she or he is called. Regardless of the particulars of each journey, we expect all our ministers to make opportunities for regular worship and fellowship.
In the FEC we understand that we are all called to servant ministry, and servant leadership. There are many vocations to do servant ministry: some are called to sacramental leadership in base communities, home churches or parishes; some are called to ministries of presence as chaplains in institutions or agencies; some are called to teaching and missions, some are called in surprising new ways. We celebrate the amazing diversity of the ministries that the Spirit calls us to.
Applying for Candidacy to the Ordained Ministry
The application and the process are the same whether you are seeking to be ordained in the Free Episcopal Church, or are seeking to transfer your ministerial credentials to the FEC. All Deacons and Presbyters must meet the same qualifications, and everyone must complete the same application form. Click here to view application.
The application process is not a test. It is an opportunity for you to be in discernment with the bishop, to learn about each other, and also to examine more deeply the nature of your vocation. Because of this, we urge you to use the application process as a period to explore and express the fullness of your spiritual journey.
Likewise, the application review is not a judgment on the quality of your spiritual journey, or the validity of your vocation. It is first and foremost a listening for a journey compatible with the vision and mission of the Free Episcopal Church. FEC clergy are engaged together in exploring and deepening our Vision - our pilgrimage. Because of this, we come to the review of all applications with prayerful attention, and expect that you have completed your application with equal attention.
Incomplete applications cannot be considered.
As with any program or church, applying for candidacy to the ordained ministry does not guarantee acceptance into the candidacy program. Likewise, becoming a candidate does not guarantee approval for ordination. This is a natural outcome of active discernment, and the bishop takes this decision process most seriously.
Qualifications for becoming Deacons and Priests
The Free Episcopal Church is fully committed to nurturing a skilled and educated clergy. All candidates and clergy are provided with mentoring and guidance, and ongoing opportunities for discernment with both the mentor and the bishop. Creating a network of support among our far-flung clergy gives us strength and nourishment on our journeys. The following expectations apply to all candidates and clergy.
All candidates must show evidence of significant self-examination, which may include Clinical Pastoral Education, an experience in personal therapy, or accomplishment in certain contemplative disciplines. Candidates must submit a written plan of ministry before final approval for ordination/incardination can be considered.
All candidates must show evidence of academic work and formation appropriate to the ministry and work of deacons and/or priests. Candidates who have not yet completed this work may fulfill these requirements through the FEC's Pastoral Formation Program of Reading for Orders.
Deacons in the FEC have demonstrated suitable spiritual and theological formation for the duties and ministries of the deaconate: proclaiming the Gospel, critical thinking, pastoral ministries (also called ministries of presence), and an understanding of Christian history in general & Anglican history in particular. This formation may be within the context of other academic credentials or equivalent training and life experience, and typically a college degree. The FEC places a high value on the deaconate as an invaluable ministry of witness in its own right.
Priests in the FEC have demonstrated (in addition to the above) suitable spiritual, theological and pastoral formation for the duties and ministries of the priesthood: insightful care of souls, community leadership, spiritual discipline and maturity, critical theological and ethical thinking, sacramental leadership. This formation is typically attained through a Masters of Divinity degree from an approved seminary program, or an equivalent course of spiritual and theological study (and/or life experience) and a college degree.
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