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SECTION 1 – VOCATIONS WORK
Introduction
An important part of the DDO’s work is encouraging vocations within the diocese.
Sometimes DDOs undertake this task single-handedly. More usually, they work with a team of Vocations Advisers. In some dioceses, the Vocations Advisers are principally concerned with those exploring a vocation to ordained ministry. In other dioceses, the Vocations Advisers are responsible for discerning vocations to a wide range of authorised ministries within the life of the Church and to other vocations such as the vocation to teach.
Reactive and Proactive Vocations Work
Encouraging vocations is a demanding task and involves both a reactive and a proactive approach to the work. The reactive work involves DDOs and Vocations
Advisers meeting with enquirers who have asked to see them or who have been referred to them by their incumbents or others. While the reactive work may be time consuming, DDOs and Vocations Advisers cannot rely solely on a steady flow of enquirers. There has to be an element of proactive work to encourage those who have never explored their vocation to do so. This is particularly important in relation to encouraging vocations among young people and people from a minority ethnic background. In this proactive work, the use of the newly ordained and ordinands in training (both of whom are often very much alive to their sense of vocation) can be particularly effective. They can be asked to preach in local churches and to tell the story of their vocational journey at diocesan vocations days and events.
Discerning Vocation
During their meeting with enquirers, DDOs and Vocations Advisers will want to listen carefully to the vocational stories of the enquirers and to tease out from the enquirers their response to two key questions: ‘why are you here?’ and ‘why now?’
DDOs and Vocations Advisers will be concerned with discerning where the enquirers’ vocation lies. Other important questions are: Is there an inner sense of call or an owning of the vocation on the part of the enquirer? To what extent has the vocation been affirmed by others? How realistic is the vocation, that is does the enquirer have the necessary gifts or potential to deliver the vocation? How informed is the vocation, that is how far has the enquirer explored what is involved in fulfilling the vocation?
Vocation to Ordained Ministry
If it is discerned that an enquirer’s vocation is to ordained ministry then the DDOs and
Vocations Advisers will explore in depth at subsequent meetings how far the enquirer fulfils the Criteria for Selection. One to one meetings with the DDO or a Vocations
Adviser are clearly important in this process. However, it is also very useful if there are vocations groups operating within the diocese where enquirers can meet and support one another, and where shared learning and interpersonal and group skills can be developed.
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The Ministry Division’s Vocations Officer
The Vocations Officer in the Ministry Division is on hand to advise DDOs and
Vocations Advisers on diocesan vocations work and the different models of vocations work currently operating within the Church of England. Advice on how to set up a
Vocations Advisers team and training for Vocations Advisers is available. Every two years, the Vocations Officer runs a Vocations Advisers’ Consultation to which both
DDOs and Vocations Advisers are invited. The Vocations Advisers Consultation is usually an opportunity to look at different aspects of vocations work, to share good practice and to learn about new initiatives.
Vocations Conferences
Every year, the Ministry Division runs a vocations conference for those who want to explore the possibility of ordained ministry. The conference takes place over a weekend starting at 6pm on the Friday and finishing at 2pm on the Sunday. There is usually a range of speakers who look at among other things the spirituality of vocation, the being and the doing of a Priest, the Criteria for Selection and what happens at a Bishops’ Advisory Panel. There is also usually an opportunity for a visit to a parish to look at different models of ministry and mission. The Committee for
Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns also runs an annual vocations conference for people from a minority ethnic background. Details about both these conferences are to be found in the annual Vocations Events leaflet available from the Vocations
Officer.
The Young Vocations Initiative
In 2006, a working party produced the report Engaging Young Vocations. What follows is an outline of the strategy adopted by the working party and recommendations for encouraging more vocations to ordained ministry from among people under 30.
The Working Group was clear that there are three key principles which needed to be in play if the strategy is to work.
Partnership
First, the Ministry Division will not be able to deliver the strategy by itself. It will need to work in partnership and collaboration with a wide raft of organisations and agencies right the way across the spectrum of church traditions. This will include other National Church Institutions (such as the Education Division and CMEAC), dioceses and agencies (such as CPAS, Church Army, Careforce, USPG and CMS) and all those involved in encouraging young disciples to develop and grow. Encouraging young vocations cannot and must not be an isolated initiative: it needs to be owned and worked for across the board. Particularly important will be to work closely with
Diocesan Youth Officers, School, FE and HE chaplains and the network of the
Association of Anglican Secondary School Heads (AASSH). It is also worth bearing in mind that developing a sense of vocation can begin early in people’s lives and so working alongside those involved in children’s work will be important.
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Communication
Secondly, a number of the proposals which form the strategy emphasise the importance of communication: both human and electronic. The Working Group recognises the importance of human contact in vocations work but it also affirms the increasingly important role of the internet in reaching out to people. In both areas of communication, we need to raise our game.
Realism
Thirdly, we need to be realistic about the nature of the Church of England, with its strengths and weaknesses and be clear about its identity and role. Young people need to know what they are letting themselves in for as they consider offering themselves for ordained ministry and in our presentation of ministry in the Church of England we need to tell it as it is, ‘warts and all’.
The strategy consists of a set of proposals. The Working Group acknowledged from the outset that what it was hoping and working for – the increase in number of young clergy – may take time. It may take time for some of the proposals to bear fruit. It will certainly take time to change attitudes and mind sets, among both young people and the institutional Church.
The Proposals for a strategy to encourage young vocations
Proposal 1
That the Archbishops initiate a time of prayer for young vocations.
Proposal 2
That those with responsibility for the delivery of CME should provide training in vocational discernment
Proposal 3
That the Ministry Division develop a new website, designed to appeal to younger people exploring their vocation.
Proposal 4
That the Ministry Division design and produce new leaflets and posters likely to appeal to young people.
Proposal 5
That the Ministry Division in collaboration with Church House Publishing produce
Bible study material and other resources for use with young people.
Proposal 6
That the Ministry Division (working with ordinands and clergy) engage with large gatherings of young people at events (such as Greenbelt, Soul Survivor, the
Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage and the Caister renewal conference as well as careers fairs in FE and HE contexts) through stalls, seminars and workshops.
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Proposal 7
That the Ministry Division co-ordinate and facilitate a range of gap year programmes with a vocational focus.
Proposal 8
That the Ministry Division organise and run an annual conference for 16 – 19 year olds as a way of engaging with young people in schools.
Proposal 9
That the Ministry Division, in partnership with others, promotes schemes for work experience for school students in the area of Christian ministry.
These Proposals are being taken forward through the work of the a task group set up to support the young vocations initiative.
Vocations Resources
There are a number of resources available from the Vocations Officer:
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Leaflets: the taster leaflets are for people to take away and read. There is tear off section for them to request further information.
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Posters: these are A4 size for putting up on church and chaplaincy notice boards
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Booklet: the booklet Ministry in the Church of England is designed to help people explore their sense of vocation to ordained or accredited lay ministry. It also offers practical information about the Criteria for Selection, what happens at a
Bishops’ Advisory Panel and theological training.
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There is also a magazine type format on vocations to encourage younger vocations.
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Vocations Advisers Handbook: this provides Vocations Advisers with information about what is involved in being a Vocations Adviser
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A Reading List for those Exploring Vocation
The Adviser for Vocations also produces a reading list for enquirers. It is not exhaustive but does attempt to include a wide-range of view-points thus reflecting the breadth of the Church of England. The books in bold print are good introductions to the subject. Most of the books are still in print and should be readily available from book shops, although you may have to order them. If you have difficulty getting hold of particular titles you might like to try contacting the staff at Church House Bookshop in London, who almost certainly will be able to help you. They can be contacted on 020 7898 1300 or alternatively you can visit their online bookshop at www.chbookshop.co.uk
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Below is the substantial list that DDOs and VAs may like to draw from. This is followed by one side of A4 that could be given out to enquirers. Please feel free to adapt the lists for local use:
Vocation
John Adair How to Find your Vocation (Canterbury Press 2002)
Francis Dewar: Called or Collared (new edition SPCK 2000)
Francis Dewar: Invitations: God’s Calling for Everyone (SPCK 1996)
Francis Dewar: Live for a Change (DLT 1988)
Henri Nouwen: The Road to Daybreak (DLT 1989)
Stephen Platten:
Vocation, Singing the Lord’s Song
(SPCK 2007)
Charles Richardson: This is our Calling (SPCK 2004)
Robinson: The Element – How finding your passion changes everything (Penguin 2009)
David Runcorn: Choice, Desire and the Will of God ( SPCK 2003)
Malcolm Torry: Diverse Gifts (Canterbury Press 2006)
Ordained Ministry
Paul Avis: A Ministry shaped by Mission (T&T Clark 2005)
Liz and Andrew Barr: Jobs for the Boys?
Women who Became Priests (Hodder and
Stoughton 2001)
Andrew Bowden and Michael West: Dynamic Local Ministry (Continuum 2000)
Rosalind Brown: Being a Deacon Today (Canterbury Press 2005)
Alan Billings: Making God Possible, The Task of Ordained Ministry (SPCK 2010)
Andrew Clitherow: Into Your Hands (SPCK 2001)
Cocksworth/ Brown: Being a Priest Today (Canterbury Press 2002)
Jim Cotter: Yes Minister (Cairns, 1992)
Steven Croft: Ministry in Three Dimensions (DLT 1999)
James MM Francis and Leslie J Francis: Tentmaking: Perspectives on Self-Supporting
Ministry (Gracewing 1998)
John Fuller and Patrick Vaughan (eds) Working for the Kingdom (SPCK 1986)
Richard Giles: Here I am: Reflections on the Ordained Life (SCM 2006)
Ali Green:
A Theology of Women’s Priesthood
(SPCK 2009)
Robin Greenwood: Transforming Priesthood (SPCK 1994)
George Guiver (ed):
Priests in a People’s church
(SPCK 2002)
George Guiver (ed): The Fire and the Clay (SPCK 1993)
Christine Hall & Robert Hannaford (ed): Order and Ministry (Gracewing 1996)
Michael Hollings: Living Priesthood (McCrimmons, 1994)
David Ison:
The Vicar’s Guide: Life and Ministry in the Parish
(CHP 2005)
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Giles Legood: Chaplaincy (Cassell 1999)
Christopher Moody: Eccentric Ministry (DLT 1992)
John Pritchard: The Life and Work of a Priest (SPCK 2007)
Michael Ramsey: The Christian Priest Today (SPCK 1972)
Alastair Redfern: Ministry and Priesthood (DLT 1999)
Christina Rees (ed): Voices of this Calling (Canterbury Press 2002)
Michael Sadgrove: Wisdom and Ministry (SPCK 2008)
Miranda Threlfall-Holmes & Mark Newitt: Being a Chaplain (SPCK 2011)
WH Vanstone:
Love’s Endeavour, Love’s Expense
(DLT 1978)
WH Vanstone : Fare Well in Christ (DLT 1997)
John Witcombe:
The Curate’s Guide: From Calling to First Parish
(CHP 2005)
Authorised Lay Ministry
Timothy Briden: A Handbook for Churchwardens & PCC (Continuum 2010)
William Countryman: Living on the Border of the Holy (Morehouse 1999)
Dudley/Rounding: Churchwarden: A Survival Guide (SPCK 2009)
Ruth Etchells: Set My People Free (Fount 1995)
Gordon Kuhrt: Bridging the Gap – Reader Ministry Today (CHP 2002)
Gordon Kurht: An Introduction to Christian Ministry (CHP 2000)
Rowling/Gooder: Reader Ministry Explored (SPCK 2009)
William Graham: Clothed in Christ – Towards a Spirituality for Lay Ministers (2007)
Robin Greenwood & Caroline Pascoe: Local Ministry (SPCK 2006)
Margaret Guenther: Holy Listening: Art of Spiritual Direction (DLT 1992)
Sally Nash: Youth Ministry: A Multifaceted Approach (SPCK 2011)
Sue Pickering: Spiritual Direction: A Practical Guide (Canterbury Press 2008)
Anglicanism
Paul Avis: The Anglican Understanding of the Church (SPCK 2000)
Alan Bartlett: A Passionate Balance (DLT 2007)
Colin Buchanan: Is the Church of England Biblical?
(DLT 1998)
Chapman Mark: Anglicanism: A Very Short Introduction (OUP 2006)
Caroline Chartres: Why I am still an Anglican (Contiuum 2007)
Coakley & Wells: Praying For England (T&T Clark 2008)
Martin Davie: A Guide to the Church of England (Continuum 2008)
Richard Giles: How to be an Anglican (Canterbury Press 2003)
Bob Jackson: Hope for the Church (CHP 2002)
Michael Nazir-Ali: Shapes of the Church to Come (Kingsway 2001)
Colin Podmore: Aspects of Anglican Identity (CHP 2005)
Alastair Redfern: Being Anglican (DLT 2000)
Stephen Sykes: The Integrity of Anglicanism (SPCK 1978)
Spirituality
Simon Barrington-Ward and Brother Ramon: Praying the Jesus Prayer Together (BRF 2001)
Stephen Cottrell: Praying Through Life (CHP 1998)
Richard Foster: A Celebration of Discipline (Hodder & Stoughton 2008)
Michael Paul Gallagher: Letters on Prayer (DLT 1994)
Judy Hirst: Struggling to be Holy (DLT 2008)
Gerard Hughes: God of Surprises (BRF 1993)
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William Johnstone: Being in Love: The Practice of Christian Prayer (Fordham University
Press 1999)
Brennan Manning: The Ragamuffin Gospel (Authentic Lifestyle 2009)
Melvyn Matthew: Both Alike to Thee: The Retrieval of the Mystical Way (SPCK 2000)
Michael Mayne: This Sunrise of Wonder (DLT 2008)
Donald Nicholl: Holiness (DLT 1981)
Henri Nouwen: The Return of the Prodigal Son (DLT 1994)
Henri Nouwen: Spiritual Formation (2011)
John Pritchard: How to Pray (SPCK 2002)
Timothy Radcliffe: Why go to Church? (Contiuum 2008)
John Wilkins (Ed): How I Pray (DLT 1993)
Rowan Williams: The Wound of Knowledge (DLT 1990)
Underhill Evelyn : Concerning the Inner Life
Grove Booklet series are often good introductions to aspects of spirituality.
Biblical Studies
The New Lion Handbook of the Bible (Lion 1999)
John Bowker: The Complete Bible Handbook (Dorling Kindersley 2004)
Raymond Brown: An Introduction to the New Testament (Doubleday 1996)
Etienne Charpentier: How to Read the Old Testament (SCM 1982)
Etienne Charpentier: How to Read the New Testament (SCM 1982)
John Drane: Introducing the OT (Lion 2000)
John Drane: Introducing the NT (Lion 1999)
Jeffrey Geoghegan: The Bible for Dummies (Hungry Minds 2001)
Richard Gill: The Old Testament in 3 Hours (Zondervan 2000)
Steve Moyise: Introduction to Biblical Studies (Cassell 1998)
John Riches: The Bible: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford 2000)
Keith Ward: The Word of God? The Bible after Modern Scholarship (SPCK 2010)
Christian Faith and Theology
Christina Baxter: Wounds of Christ (Zondervan, 2005)
Rob Bell: Velvet Elvis, Repainting the Christian Faith ( Zondervan 2006)
Stephen Cottrell : I Thirst (Zondervan, 2003)
Vincent Donovan: Christianity Rediscovered (SCM 1978)
David Ford: Theology: A Very Short Introduction (OUP 1999)
Anthony and Richard Hanson: Reasonable Belief (OUP 1981)
Brian MacLaren: A Generous Orthodoxy (Zondervan 2006)
Alister McGrath: Christian Theology: An Introduction (Blackwells 2007)
Alister McGrath: Theology: The Basics (Blackwells 2004)
Judith Thompson: Theological Reflection (SCM 2008)
Keith Ward: Christianity: An Short Introduction (SPCK 2000)
Rowan Williams: On Christian Theology (Blackwell 1999)
Rowan Williams: Lost Icons (T &T Clark 2000)
Roy Williams: God, Actually (Monarch 2009)
Liturgy and Worship
Walter Brueggemann:
Israel’s Praise: Doxology Against Idolatry and Idealogy
(Fortress
Press 1988)
Paul Bradshaw: Two Ways of Praying (SPCK 1995)
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Christopher Cocksworth: Holy, Holy, Holy: Worshipping the Trinitarian God (DLT, 1997)
Mark Earey & Gilly Myers: Common Worship Today (Harper/Collins 2001)
Richard Giles: Creating Uncommon Worship (Canterbury Press 2004)
Mission and Evangelism
Paul Avis: A Ministry shaped by Mission (T&T Clark 2005)
Paul Bayes: Mission-shaped Church- Missionary Values, Church Planting and Fresh
Expressions of Church (Grove Booklet Ev 67, 2004)
Mike Booker and Mark Ireland: Evangelism: Which Way Now?
(CHP 2003)
Stephen Cottrell: From the Abundance of the Heart (DLT 2006)
Cray/Mobsby/Kennedy: New Monasticism as Fresh Expression of Church (Cant Press 2010)
Steve Hollinghurst: Mission Shaped Evangelism (Canterbury Press 2010)
J Andrew Kirk: What is Mission (2002, DLT, £12.95)
Mission theological Advisory Group: Presence and Prophesy (CHP, 2002)
Mission and Public Affairs: Mission-Shaped Church & Associated Reports (CHP, 2004)
Ann Morisy: Journeying Out – A New Approach to Christian Mission (Morehouse, 2004)
Self Knowledge and Pastoral Relationship
Jeff Astley: Choosing life; Christianity & Moral Problems (DLT 2000)
Alastair Campbell: Rediscovering Pastoral Care (DLT 1986)
Wesley Carr: Handbook of Pastoral Studies (SPCK 1997)
Malcolm Goldsmith and Martin Wharton: Knowing Me Knowing You (SPCK 1993)
Michael Jacobs: Swift to Hear (SPCK 2000)
Michael Jacobs: Still Small Voice (SPCK 2001)
Henri Nouwen: The Wounded Healer (DLT 1994)
Henri Nouwen: Compassion (DLT 1982)
Eugene Peterson: Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work (Eermans 1996)
Philip Sheldrake: Befriending Our Desires (DLT 1997)
Issues in Human Sexuality: A Statement by the House of Bishops (CHP 1991)
Leadership & Collaboration
Bonem M & R Patterson: Leading from the Second Chair – Serving your Church, Fulfilling your Role, and Realizing your Dreams (Jossey-Bass 2005)
Stephen Cottrell: Hit the Ground Kneeling: Seeing Leadership Differently (CHP 2009)
Chris Edmondson: Leaders Learning to Listen (DLT 2010)
Jonathan Gledhill: Leading a Local Church in the Age of the Spirit (2003).
Robin Greenwood: Transforming Church – Liberating Structures for Ministry (SPCK 2002)
Gary Gunderson: Boundary Leaders (Fortress 2004)
Herrick/Mann: Jesus Wept – Reflections on Vulnerability in Leadership (DLT 1998)
Bill Hybels: Courageous Leadership (Zondervan 2002)
James Lawrence: Growing Leaders: Reflections on Leadership (CPAS 2004)
Sally Nash: Skills for Collaborative Ministry (SPCK 2011)
J Nelson (ed): Becoming a Creative Church Leader (Canterbury Press 2008)
Henri Nouwen: In the Name of Jesus (DLT 1997)
John Stott: Basic Christian Leadership (IVP 2006)
S Walker: The Undefended Leader - triology (Piquant Ed Ltd 2007-9)
Rosie Ward: Growing Women Leaders (BRF 2008)
Andrew Watson: The Fourfold Leadership of Jesus (BRF 2008)
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Religious Life
Anglican Religious Communities Year Book – current edition (Canterbury Press)
Barbara Fiand: Refocusing the Vision: Religious Life into the Future
(The Crossroad Publishing Co., 2001)
Basil Hume, O.S.B.: Searching for God (Gracewing, 2002)
Isabel Losada: New Habits (Hodder & Stoughton, 1999)
Mary Loudon: Unveiled: Nuns Talking (Ebury/Vintage, 1993)
Timothy Radcliffe, OP: Sing a New Song: The Christian Vocation (Dominican
Publications, 1999)
Sandra M. Schneiders, I.H.M.: Finding the Treasure (Paulist Press, 2000)
Jean Vanier: Community and Growth: Our Pilgrimage Together (DLT, 1989)
Church Newspapers
The Church Times
The Church of England Newspaper
Select List of Novels with Theological Themes
The list below provides some titles of novels, which explore theological themes. The list is far from exhaustive.
Saul Bellow: Henderson the Rain King
Georges Bernanos: The Diary of a Country Priest
Fydor Dostoyevsky: The Brothers Karamazov
Shasuko Endo: Silence
Catherine Fox: Angels and Men
William Golding: Darkness Visible, Rites of Passage, The Spire
Graham Greene: The Power and the Glory, Monsignor Quixote, Burnt Out Case
Hermann Hesse: Narziss and Goldmund, Siddhartha
Susan Howatch: The Starbridge Sequence (eg Glittering Images etc)
P. D. James: Death in Holy Orders, Children of Men
Thomas Keneally:
Schindler’s Ark
David Lodge: Therapy
Sara Maitland: Brittle Joys
Brian Moore: Black Robe, The Statement
Iris Murdoch: The Bell
Barbara Pym: A Glass of Blessings
Phil Rickman:
The ‘Merrily Watkins’ series of mysteries
Joanna Trollope:
The Choir, The Rector’s Wife
Sally Vickers:
Miss Garnet’s Angel, Mr Golightly’s Holiday
Morris West: The Devil’s Advocate, Shoes of the Fisherman
Lazarus, The Clowns of God, Eminence
William P Young: The Shack
Select List of Films & DVDs
Heavens Above (1963) Gandhi (1982) The Mission (1986)
Babette’s Feast (1988) Schindlers List (1993) Shadowlands (1993)
Billy Eliot (2000) The Green Mile (2000), The Passion of the Christ (2004)
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The Vicar of Dibley (2007) Doubt (2008), Into Great Silence (2007) No Greater Love (2010)
A History of Christianity – Diarmaid MacCulloch (2010)
Of Gods & Men (2011) Rev. (2011)
Nooma Series (esp Dust) – Rob Bell
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Shorter Reading List for Enquirers:
General Vocation – Called by God
John Adair: How to find your Vocation (Canterbury Press 2000)
Francis Dewar: Called or Collared? (new ed SPCK 2000)
Francis Dewar: Live for a Change (DLT 1999)
Charles Richardson: This is our Calling (SPCK 2004)
Malcolm Torry (ed): Diverse Gifts (Canterbury Press 2006)
Ordained Ministry
Alan Billings: Making God Possible, The Task of Ordained Ministry (SPCK 2010)
Rosalind Brown: Being a Deacon Today (Canterbury Press 2005)
Cocksworth/Brown: Being a Priest Today (Canterbury Press 2002)
Stephen Croft: Ministry in Three Dimensions (DLT 1999)
George Guiver: The Fire and the Clay (SPCK 1993)
John Pritchard: The Life and Work of a Priest (SPCK 2007)
Michael Ramsey: The Christian Priest Today (SPCK revised 1985)
Various Ministries/ Leadership
William Countryside Living on the Border of the Holy (Morehouse 1999)
Ruth Etchells: Set My People Free (Fount 1995)
Robin Greenwood & Caroline Pascoe: Local Ministry (SPCK 2006)
Gordon Kuhrt: Bridging the Gap – Reader Ministry Today (CHP 2002)
James Lawrence: Growing Leaders: Reflections on Leadership (CPAS 2004)
Rowling/Gooder: Reader Ministry Explored (SPCK 2009)
Isabel Losada: New Habits (Hodder & Stoughton 1999)
Anglican Religious Communities Year Book (Canterbury Press)
Anglicanism
Alan Barlett A Passionate Balance (DLT 2007)
Mark Chapman: Anglicanism: A Very Short Introduction (OUP 2006)
Coakley/Wells: Praying For England (Continuum 2008)
Richard Giles: How to be an Anglican (Canterbury Press 2003)
Mission/Spirituality/Theology etc
Rob Bell: Velvet Elvis, Repainting the Christian Faith (Zondervan 2005)
Vincent Donovan: Christianity Rediscovered (SCM 1978)
Gerard Hughes: God of Surprises (BRF 1993)
Michael Mayne: This Sunrise of Wonder (DLT 2008)
John Pritchard: How to Pray (SPCK 2002)
Mission Shaped Church & Associated Reports (CHP 2004)
Timothy Radcliffe: Why go to Church? (Continuum 2008)
The Church Times
The Church of England Newspaper
CAW 2011
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Appendix 1A
Minority Ethnic Anglicans and the Vocational Discernment Process
Overview
The following paper is a collation of the comments and reflections of a group of
Minority Ethnic Ordinands (MEAs) who attended a ‘Consultation’ at the invitation of the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns (CMEAC) and the Ministry
Division. This took place at Church House, Westminster on March 11 th
2009. The purpose of the event was to hear from Ordinands about their experience of the discernment process, especially from a minority ethnic perspective. It was not known at that stage how people’s comments might be used, except to inform good practice. In what follows, the comments and reflections have been collated under a number of headings. It is hoped that they will:
(a) Assist DDOs, Vocation Advisers and others involved in discernment in their work with all candidates;
(b) Contribute to a deepened understanding of the particular perspectives that MEAs bring to the process.
Direct quotes from Ordinands are included in quotation marks.
Foreword
Please note that in a number of the paragraphs below the issues raised constitute examples of what would be considered as standard practice. The inclusion of these paragraphs here reflects the eagerness of Minority Ethnic Ordinands to stress the importance of this, and the fact that for some individuals, this was not their experience.
There is an implicit plea that care should be taken that all candidates are treated evenly in the core discernment process.
Initial and future meetings with Minority Ethnic (ME) candidates

In order for Minority Ethnic candidates to be aware of support available from CMEAC and the Centre for Black Ministries and Leadership ( CBML), we ask DDOs to please ensure that all ME candidates are given the information sheets about CMEAC and CBML,
‘Resources for Minority Ethnic Candidates in Vocational Discernment’ (see Information
Sheet), containing their aims, and signposting candidates to events and resources that they may wish to access; especially the availability of (a) CMEAC trained mentors who are culturally aware and available to candidates at any stage of the discernment process and (b) learning support from CBML. These leaflets will also be useful to DDOs, Vocations
Advisers and Examining Chaplains.
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
Ordinands said that at the beginning of the process, having regular, formally-scheduled meetings with clear outlining of expectations, was especially appreciated.
 When exploring a candidate’s sense of vocation the following were singled out as important: o maintaining an openness and willingness to learn from the candidate whatever their ethnicity; o being aware of each person’s context and understanding and assessing their individual needs; o giving due consideration to ME perspectives, including multiple heritage, and ensuring equality of opportunity throughout the discernment process.

Where periods of waiting arise within the process, the importance of candidates being given clear assignments, with details of when they will be seen again, was stressed.

Recognising the limitations of existing literature and resources, access to relevant resources and reading is crucial. One person commented “‘Called or Collared’ is written by a white person and only has a short paragraph about minority ethnic vocation”. In connection with this issue, CBML can supply a Black and Asian Theology Book list.

Ordinands reported that there had been occasions when files had not been passed on and that some candidates had got “lost in the system”. They asked for care over handovers being ‘watertight’.

The value of DDOs attending regional or diocesan CMEAC Vocations Consultations and
CBML Vocation and Learning Events was noted.
DDO and Incumbents

Ordinands suggested that owing to the importance of the role of incumbents in helping candidates explore their vocation, specific attention could usefully be given to induction training for new incumbents (who may not fully understand the vocational process).
 “Don’t look for clones”; “See each candidate as an individual whose churchmanship, culture/class, religious tradition is as valid as your own”; “Don’t discount anyone!”;
“Training is for the Church, not for specific church traditions!” These comments reflected a feeling among Ordinands that each person should be assessed on their own merits.
 One Ordinand said, “I would like to stress the distinction between a gatekeeper who may make arbitrary judgements and says ‘yes’ or ‘no’, and a doorway who allows someone through to explore their vocation even though there might be concerns”. This expressed a shared feeling among the Ordinands present about the importance of all candidates receiving a full and open hearing, especially at an early stage in discernment.
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
Owing to instances of a lack of feedback to candidates, Ordinands asked that there should be the best possible communication between incumbents and DDOs.

Ensure there are structures for direct appeal to either DDO or/and CMEAC support in cases where an incumbent is ‘blocking’ a candidate.
Bishops’ Advisory Panel (BAP)

Outlining expectations of the BAP as soon as possible, setting timelines and providing reassurance as to what the process would involve, were stressed as key issues.

DDO to please encourage incumbents to signpost possible candidates for a BAP to the next
CMEAC Vocations Conference
Post BAP With ME Candidate

The importance of good feedback to unsuccessful candidates was stressed. Clear contingency plans, advice on appeal structures in cases of alleged discrimination and signposting candidates to appropriate aftercare/follow-up, including support available from CMEAC, were seen as key issues.
Resources for DDOs
CMEAC and CBML are available to provide advice and support for DDOs and Vocations
Advisers and Examining Chaplains on a range of MEA issues from a minority ethnic viewpoint. In conjunction with the Ministry Division, consideration is being given to the provision of appropriate training for DDOs, Vocation Advisers and Examining Chaplains in handling diversity issues within the discernment process. If you have suggestions about this, please make them known to CMEAC, CBML or Ministry Division.
Resources from CMEAC
Information sheets available for DDOs to pass to ME candidates, with aims of CMEAC and CBML, events, and contacts useful to MEA candidates
Provision of trained “mentors” for MEAs in vocational process
National “Vocations Conferences” for MEAs exploring vocation. Any MEA who is considering a vocation from any diocese is welcome to attend one of these events (see details of current events).
CMEAC runs “Vocations Consultations” in dioceses or regions: these cover a range of vocational issues as experienced from a MEA perspective and are held every six months around the dioceses. Bishops, senior staff of dioceses, DDOs, Vocations Advisers and
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Examining Chaplains and clergy of Black or Asian majority CofE congregations are especially invited to attend.
Point of reference and support where MEA candidates are experiencing obstacles or difficulties
For more information on CMEAC events please click here
Resources from CBML
Provision of individual learning support for MEAs in the discernment process.
“Black Theology Taster Events”: these are run twice a year at the Queen’s Foundation,
Edgbaston, Birmingham, giving an opportunity for engaging in theological reflection and doing theology from Black and Asian perspectives. They are open to clergy and laity and are orientated to cater for particular issues that those in the discernment process may bring.
CBML runs “Vocations and Learning Consultations”: these are for Minority Ethnic
Anglicans, DDOs and ministry and training department personnel and are held in dioceses and regions. They give opportunity for doing theology, including from Black and Asian perspectives, and engaging in a dialogue over learning and vocational issues.
Training is currently being developed for vocations teams on handling diversity issues in the discernment process and screening for racist attitudes in candidates for ministry.
Advice on access to good literature in the field of Black and Asian theology and related disciplines and provision of Black and Asian Theology Book Lists.
For more information on CBML events please click here .
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Appendix 1B
Interview Questions
Initial meeting
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Just tell me about you
Is there anything I should know?
What is the one thing about yourself you think I ought to know, but really don’t want to tell me?
28. Personal history including occupational pattern
 How would you describe your childhood? (Secure? Demonstrative?)
 What was your relationship to your mother and father?
 Relationship to brothers/sisters, if appropriate?
 What expectations did you have to live up to?
 How did you experience school? (Bullying? Successes?)
 What have been the significant & formative events and their effect?
 What have been the significant career shifts?
29. Criteria to be explored by the Vocation Adviser
Development of a sense of vocation
Vocational journey
 When did you first feel you had a sense of call?
 How did the call start and what has brought it to fruition?
 Why now?
Internal sense of call
 How would you describe it to others?
 Why you think it is a genuine call from God?
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How sure are you about your call?
How has it changed you? Affected your life/work?
 What do you feel you are called to be or do?
 What needs would be met for you in becoming ordained? Would it fulfil you?
How far call recognised and affirmed by others
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In what ways have others confirmed it?
Has anyone failed to confirm your call?
What feedback have you had from others on how it has changed you?
How informed?
 How much do you know about what would be required of you in ordained ministry?
 What do you know about the work?
 By reading? Experience?
 What is distinctive about priesthood?
 How does it relate to the priesthood of all God’s people?
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 What happens at ordination?
How realistic?
 What have you done to learn about what is involved?
 What would you find irksome in being a Vicar? Are there areas of work you find particularly difficult?
How obedient?
 What sacrifices are involved in vocation?
 How far would you protect your family?
 What challenges have you faced in coming to terms with the call?
Ministry in the Church of England
Experience of church life
Which church attended now?
 Why joined?
 What do you value?
 What things would you want to change?
 How far does it engage with people of differing backgrounds/local community?
 What can (your) church offer non-churchgoers in the community?
What kinds of churches have you experienced? (Denominations, style & tradition)
 How often have you explored different forms of worship?
 How does the C of E differ from other churches?
 What awareness do you have of the variety of traditions and practice within the C of E?
 What are the distinctive features of Anglicanism?
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What do you value about being Anglican?
 What have you brought forward from past church experience? What left behind?
How does the nature of today’s society affect the ministry and role of the C of E?
Current involvement in the church’s life
 Local, wider church?
Reflect on different models of mission and ministry they have experienced
 What other ways of being church are you aware of?
(Different times, places, activities)
How sensitive to social, cultural and racial difference?
Spirituality
Who and what have been formative and influential in your spiritual development?
How do you experience the presence of God?
 What do you gain from public worship?
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How do public worship and private devotions relate?
What does the Eucharist mean to you?
Spiritual discipline and its effects on their life
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 Do you have a Rule of life?
 What is your pattern of personal prayer and bible study?
 Frequency?
 Have you tried using a Daily Office?
 What styles/traditions of spirituality have you found helpful?
 Have you been on a retreat?
 When have you found it hard to pray? Stopped?
 How does worship and spirituality affect your daily life?
Do they reflect on their spiritual life with a mentor, soul friend or SD?
 Where and how are you hoping to develop your inner life?
30. Criteria to be explored by the Pastoral Adviser
Personality & character
 How do you think other people describe you?
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Strengths and weaknesses?
 What energises you most: people or ideas?
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What kinds of people / attitudes of people drain you?
Are you a tractor or a trailer?
Are you more fulfilled when working with individuals one to one, or with groups of people or people at large?
Are you a big picture person or a details person?
Start from the one vision and set light to detail or build up from detail?
Do you like to plan ahead and be organised or last minute and improvisatory?
How self aware, stable and mature?
 Do you have a strong or weak self-esteem?
 How important to you is the approval of others?
 When do you find it difficult to say ‘no’?
 How much do you reflect on yourself and how others see you?
 How do you handle criticism?
 How hard do you find it to challenge others or to handle conflict?
 What situations help you thrive?
 What makes you uneasy / angry?
Evidence to cope with demands and pressures of ministry?
 How often do you feel under pressure? Any depression, burnout?
 What coping strategies do you have?
 What change experienced?
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What has been the biggest change in the last five years?
How do you respond to change?
Relationships
Relationships which are important to candidate
 How easily do you make friends?
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How many relationships have you retained since childhood?
What kind of people do you relate to easily?
If single, what relationships will sustain them in ministry?
If married, how supportive are spouse & family?
Are you content to live within guidelines: Issues in Human Sexuality?
Leadership & collaboration
Evidence of experience or potential in leadership
 What experiences of leadership have you had?
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(church, work, organisations etc)
What evidence is there that others recognise you’re leadership qualities?
 When you inspired and motivated others
 What is your preferred leadership style?
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On a continuum between control and abdication, where would you place yourself?
Have you completed any leadership tests?
 What example can you give of your leadership?
 Reflect on it: what went well, not so well?
Collaboration?
 What would other people say about your working style?
 What do you understand by collaboration?
 What do you think you would do to guide church?
 What opportunities have you taken to identify and encourage gifts of another person in your church?
 What do you understand by servant ministry?
31. Criteria to be explored by the Educational Adviser
Faith a. When & how faith became important to them?
 How and when did you discover faith?
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(Where parents are Christians, Christian home?)
What things have nurtured you in faith?
(books, church, friends, nature, music etc.)
What does ‘conversion’ mean to you? 
 What practical ways has your life been shaped by your faith?
(personal, community, global) b. Understanding of faith
 Is faith about ideas (beliefs) or experience?
 What is the relationship between them?
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 What images, if any, do you have of God, Christ?
 How would you describe your relationship to Christ?
 How has your understanding of God changed?
When has faith been under pressure?
When have you been angry with God or lost faith altogether?
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 How have you responded?
 What have you learned?
 What other challenges have you faced since that time?
 How have you responded? c. Able to communicate faith attractively
 What is your core belief - the good news?
 What opportunities have you had to lead people to faith?
Mission & evangelism
Capacity for mission & evangelism in terms of commitment & communication skills
 What is mission?
 What are the marks of mission?
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What is the difference between mission and evangelism?
What do you know of ‘mission-shaped church?
Candidate’s experience of mission and evangelism and ability to reflect on it
 What experience of evangelism/mission – and how they reflect on it?
 How would you develop the church you attend to become more mission shaped?
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What initiatives have you taken in leadership for mission?
Where are you most comfortable, inside the church or on the edge of the church?
Does the call to mission permeate thinking, prayer, action?
 What initiatives do you take over environmental, justice issues?
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Are you socially/politically active?
What areas of social policy particularly interest you?
How would you define our culture?
(Post-modern, post-Christian, spiritual etc.)
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How far does our culture work for/against the gospel?
Interact with the gospel?
 Describe a film/book/soap that can illuminate the gospel?
 What do you feel about preaching the gospel?
 What opportunities have you had to communicate the gospel/lead someone to faith in
Christ?
Quality of mind
Intellectual ability?
Quick and lively mind
Make interesting connections, including between faith and life
Reflect theologically
 Give an example of where we might look in the Christian tradition for help in addressing……contemporary issue?
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What are theological issues involved in…?
How would you reflect theologically on…?
Open mind?
 What theological questions do you want to explore?
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 What is you thinking on - e.g. Christian attitudes on single sex partnerships?
Academic achievement?
Theological reading
 What books been influential?
 What have you read recently?
 Explain the doctrine of…
Ability to cope & benefit from theological training?
 What would you hope to gain from theological training?
32. Areas to be addressed during training
33. Concluding remarks
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