Are you being called to ordained ministry?

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37)

Each year, Vocations Sunday falls on the fourth Sunday of Easter, or Good Shepherd Sunday. That means this year Vocations Sunday is on May 11. Churches across denominations, including many of our own throughout the Anglican Communion, keep this Sunday as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations with an intentional focus on prayer, asking God to raise up people to serve in ordained ministry (both deacons and priests), as well as in the religious life.

All of us, as the baptized people of God, are called to live out our faith by knowing Christ and making Christ known as Saviour and Lord, and to share in the renewing of his world. All of us have gifts we are called to use to build up the Body of Christ and to imitate the love and life of Jesus in our relationships with each other and all those we encounter back out in the world. For some, that call is one to ordained ministry.

As a young teenager, I began to sense a call from God to the priesthood. It was not something I would have ever imagined for my life or thought myself up to the task of, even though I’d grown up in the Church and was actively involved. For several years I kept that “tugging” feeling to myself, but it just wouldn’t go away. And from time to time, those in my home parish, without knowing I was sensing this call, would sometimes ask me questions like, “have you ever thought of becoming a priest?” While I wasn’t ready to answer “yes” at the time, with their continued support and affirmation I eventually found the courage to speak with my parish priest and begin the process of testing and discerning God’s call in my life. This year marks the 20^th anniversary of my ordination, and it has been one of the greatest privileges and joys of my life to serve with and among God’s people in this way.

I share this story to encourage others who might be wrestling with such a sense of call to reach out and speak to someone about it – maybe a trusted parishioner or your parish priest – and to encourage the rest of us to pay attention to who the Spirit is calling us to notice in our congregations that might possess gifts for ordained ministry. Maybe we might ask them the same question: “Have you ever thought of becoming a priest (or deacon)?”

The role of the faith community is central to discerning a vocation to ordained ministry. While the call originates with God and is personal, it is also communal, something that needs to be prayerfully discerned and affirmed by both the individual and the wider Church. I have not only experienced this firsthand as an integral part of my own journey towards ordination, but also on the other side by discerning others’ sense of call to the priesthood as a member of the Postulancy Committee. Made up of both lay and ordained members, the Postulancy Committee has the privilege and responsibility of walking with those who believe they are called by God to be a priest, generally over a two-year period, with continuous discernment taking place, including feedback from different parts of the Church throughout the process. Canon Mary Conliffe is the point of contact for the Postulancy Committee, and she would be delighted to have a conversation with you if you are considering a call to the priesthood. There is also a process for those considering a call to be a deacon. The Venerable Kyn Barker is the contact person for further inquiries regarding ordination to the diaconate.

In Matthew 9:37, Jesus tells his disciples “to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.” It comes after Jesus has been out to all the towns and cities, preaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of God’s kingdom and curing many who were sick. As he looks at the crowds that have gathered, Matthew tells us Jesus had compassion for them because they were “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” It’s then that Jesus tells his disciples to ask God to send more labourers, others who will also see the vast need he sees and partner with him in his liberating, life-affirming, life-giving and life-restoring mission.

As we continue to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection throughout the Easter season, may we each listen for the voice of our Good Shepherd who knows, loves and calls each of us by name. And following his command, may we pray to the Lord to send out more labourers into his harvest, especially those called to holy orders. For the harvest is plentiful indeed.

A Prayer for Vocations Sunday:

God our Father, Lord of all the world, through your Son you have called us into the fellowship of your universal Church: hear our prayer for your faithful people that in their vocation and ministry each may be an instrument of your love, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

(From Growing vocations everywhere | The Church of England)