In the Episcopal Church, the Commission on Ministry assists the bishop “in enlisting and selecting persons” for ordained ministry. That piece of the commission’s work is commonly understood. But the commissions is also charged with developing training and affirm lay ministries.
The church teaches that in Baptism all Christians are called to be ministers, and that the nature of ministry is defined in the church’s Baptismal Covenant. The Baptismal Covenant is the best place to start when undertaking discernment-whether it be for ordination or for lay leadership in the Episcopal Church.
At the core of that covenant are five promises Episcopalians reaffirm every time they renew their Baptismal Vows.
- Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
- Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
- Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
- Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
- Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
If you’ve come to this page, you are probably wondering about the specific nature of your own call to ministry, what shape it should take and how you can best structure your life to make that ministry most effective.
The process of answering these questions is often called discernment in the church. Discernment may begin as an individualistic endeavor, but you will benefit from the support of others, and if you seek to explore a call to ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church, must do so in the context of one of our congregations or faith communities. In these pages you can walk through various steps and scenarios in the discernment process.
Commission on Ministry Membership
Bishop Paula Clark (chair)
Emily Culbertson, St. Christopher’s, Oak Park (co-vice chair)
Fran Holliday, Trinity, Wheaton (co-vice chair)
Rose Cicero, Holy Nativity, Clarendon Hills and St. Andrew’s, Downers Grove
Deborah DeManno, St. Lawrence, Libertyville
C.J. Duffie, Holy Family, Park Forest
Jess Elfring-Roberts, Church of Our Saviour, Chicago
Michelle James, St. Edmund’s, Chicago
Brenda Lotesta, Trinity, Wheaton
Juan Reed, Spiritual Director
Tommy Rogers, Bishop Anderson House
Adam Spencer, St. Elisabeth’s, Glencoe
Staff Liaison: Andrea Mysen