Frequently Asked Questions

Ordained ministry is a calling to serve the Church and wider community as a deacon or priest in the Church of England. Ordained ministers lead churches in mission and worship and serve in many forms of ministry. This includes leading worship, preaching, providing pastoral care, supporting communities, and helping people grow in faith.

There are many different forms of ministry and contexts in which clergy serve, including parish churches, chaplaincy, schools, hospitals, prisons, universities, and community settings. Ordained ministry is rooted in prayer, service, and sharing the love of Christ with others.

“Clergy”, known by many as “vicars” is the catch-all term for ordained ministers within the Church: deacons, priests, bishops.

Discernment is not only about exploring ordination. Through prayer, conversation, and experience, some people discover that God may be calling them to another form of ministry or service within the Church.

The Church of England recognises that every Christian is called to serve God. Within this general calling, there are many different vocations, including licensed lay ministry, chaplaincy, children’s and youth ministry, pioneering, pastoral work, and many forms of everyday Christian witness. 

A sense of calling to ordained ministry often begins with a growing desire to serve God and others, alongside encouragement from people who know you well. For some, this develops gradually over time; for others, it can feel more unexpected.

Discernment is not about already having all the answers. It is a prayerful process of exploring your gifts, experience, faith, and sense of vocation with others. Through conversations with your parish priest and diocesan vocations team, you will have space to reflect on whether ordained ministry may be the right path for you.  

Yes. Exploring a calling to ordained ministry does not commit you to becoming ordained. The discernment process exists to help you prayerfully explore whether this may be where God is leading you.

Many people begin by simply asking questions, having conversations with their parish priest, attending vocations events, or connecting with their diocesan vocations adviser. You are encouraged to take time, reflect honestly, and discern at a pace that feels right for you. 

People begin exploring ordained ministry at many different stages of life. Some sense a calling when they are younger, while others begin exploring ordained ministry after years in another career, raising a family, or later in life.  

The Church values the different experiences and perspectives people bring to ministry, and there is no single “right” age to begin exploring a vocation. There are, however, some age-related guidelines and considerations, and the vocations team is there to walk alongside you with care and encouragement as you discern what may be right for you. 

Discernment is different for everyone, so there is no fixed timetable.

For some people, the process may take several years, though it usually takes around 18 months. The aim is not to move quickly, but to allow enough time for prayer, reflection, conversation, and growth. Your diocesan vocations team will help guide you through each stage and support you in discerning the right next steps. 

You will not explore your calling alone. The place to start is with your parish priest. Alongside them, you will usually be supported by a diocesan vocations adviser or discernment team who will walk with you throughout the process. Friends and family, your local church community and other support networks may also play an important role in supporting and encouraging you. 

A Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO) is the diocesan officer responsible for overseeing the discernment and support of people exploring ordination. 

Discernment is never a no, it is always a yes, a “not now” or “not this”. Discernment is about honestly exploring God’s calling, and sometimes that means recognising that ordained ministry may not be the right path at this moment - or that another form of ministry or vocation may be a better fit.

The process can be demanding and thorough, but you will be carefully supported throughout, and whatever the outcome, it can be deeply valuable because it helps you grow in faith, confidence, and understanding of your gifts. 

Your parish priest or diocesan vocations team may be able to recommend resources suited to your stage of discernment and interests. Reading can be helpful, but there is no expectation that you already have theological knowledge or formal training before exploring a calling.

Some popular resources:  

• ‘The Widening Circle’ by Graham Tomlin
• ‘On Priesthood’ by Steven Cottrell 

Formation refers to the spiritual, theological, pastoral, and personal development involved in preparing for and sustaining ministry. 

A theological college is an institution that prepares people for ministry through theological education and ministerial formation. 

Training may be residential or non-residential, full-time or part-time, depending on your pathway and circumstances. Whatever the pathway, you’ll join a community of people who are preparing for ministry together. 

Not necessarily. There are several different training pathways in the Church of England, including residential, regional, and context-based routes. Some involve relocating, while others allow people to remain in their current home, work, or worshipping community. Your diocesan vocations team will help you explore which pathways may best suit your circumstances, commitments, and stage of life. 

In the Church of England, there are three orders of ordained ministry: deacon, priest, and bishop. Ordination usually begins with becoming a deacon, which is the first order of ministry. Deacons are ordained to serve, assist in worship, proclaim the Gospel, preach, baptise, undertake pastoral ministry, and support the Church’s mission. The order of ministry made up of deacons is known as the diaconate.

For many people, the diaconate is a transitional stage before becoming a priest, though some remain deacons as a permanent vocation.

A priest is the second order of ordained ministry. Priests don’t stop serving as deacons in preaching and pastoral care, but are also authorised to preside at Holy Communion, pronounce absolution, bless the congregation, and exercise full sacramental ministry.  

A bishop is the third order of ordained ministry and has oversight of a diocese. Bishops are responsible for ordaining clergy, confirming candidates, safeguarding doctrine, and providing spiritual and pastoral leadership across the Church.

Ordained ministers serve in many different settings across the Church of England, and placements are prayerfully considered in conversation with dioceses, bishops, and ministry teams.

While no placement process can guarantee a particular role or location, the Church seeks to match people’s gifts, training, experience, and circumstances with the needs of ministry. Throughout training and discernment, there will be opportunities to reflect on the kinds of ministry contexts where you may be best suited to serve. 

Not always. Some people continue in employment while exploring a calling and during parts of their training. There are also different forms of ordained ministry, including self-supporting ministry, which may allow people to remain in secular work alongside ministry. Your Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO) will help you prayerfully explore these options. 

Training for ordained ministry will affect your finances, but the Church of England offers support to help ordinands throughout training. Tuition fees are usually covered, and many people also receive grants to help with living costs, housing, travel, and family expenses.

The support available depends on your circumstances and training pathway, and your diocese will help you understand what this could look like for you personally.  

You can read more about the Church of England’s ordinand funding arrangements.

The Church recognises that exploring ordained ministry can affect the whole household, not just the individual discerning a call. Family members are often included, where appropriate, in conversations and support throughout the process.

Training pathways and ministry arrangements can vary, and part of discernment involves considering what is sustainable and healthy for you and those close to you. Your diocesan vocations team can help you discuss considerations along the way. 

Yes. Caring responsibilities do not prevent you from exploring a calling to ordained ministry. Many people discerning vocation are also caring for children, partners, parents, or other family members.

The Church recognises that caring is itself a significant expression of Christian service and vocation. If you feel drawn to explore ordained ministry, your parish priest and diocesan vocations team can help you consider how discernment might fit alongside your current responsibilities.

There are different training pathways and forms of ministry, and these can sometimes offer flexibility depending on your circumstances. 

Yes. We are committed to making the process as accessible and inclusive as possible. This includes recognising and supporting different needs. Additional support and adjustments are available to help ensure everyone can take part fully throughout the process.  

Ordained ministry is collaborative and shaped by both personal vocation and the needs of the Church. Clergy are encouraged to reflect on their gifts, passions, and areas of calling, and these conversations form an important part of discernment, training, and future ministry planning. 

Following Jesus, leading in mission and feeding his people through word and sacrament are at the heart of ordained ministry. From this foundation flows the privilege of walking alongside people through some of the most significant moments of their lives. Clergy are invited into baptisms, weddings, funerals, prayer, celebration, grief, and spiritual growth, sharing in both joy and sorrow.

While ministry can also be demanding and sacrificial, many clergy speak of the deep sense of purpose that comes from serving God, the Church, and their communities. 

Ordained ministry is shaped by the understanding that healthy ministry depends on healthy people. The Church places importance on spiritual, emotional, relational, and physical wellbeing throughout discernment, training, and ministry. You can also read research exploring clergy experiences of wellbeing, support, and ministry in practice in the Liz Graveling Fox research reports.

Conversations about boundaries, rest, support, and resilience are a normal part of the process, ensuring ministry is sustainable and does not come at the expense of personal or family wellbeing.

Ministry is also lived in community, not isolation. Clergy are supported through colleagues, churches, dioceses, and wider networks, with ongoing opportunities for friendship, supervision, mentoring, and spiritual direction. There are also networks that offer encouragement and peer support for people with shared experiences and identities, including the Anglican Minority Ethnic Network (AMEN), the UKME Ordinands & Curates Network, and The Tea House, which supports Chinese-heritage clergy in the Church of England.

Each diocese also has a Disability Adviser who can offer advice and support on accessibility and inclusion. Deaf Anglicans Together supports and encourages deaf people in their spiritual life, worship, ministry and mission, offering opportunities for fellowship, learning, and worship in British Sign Language (BSL). 

The Occasional Offices are services marking significant moments in life, such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals. 

You are encouraged to speak openly about any questions, concerns, or uncertainties throughout the discernment process. Your parish priest, diocesan vocations adviser, or discernment team are there to listen, support, and help you reflect honestly on your situation. You do not need to navigate these questions alone. Alongside local support, you may also find it helpful to connect with a mentor or peer network. For those from historically under recognised groups, the Mentor Directory offers opportunities to connect with experienced clergy and lay leaders for encouragement and guidance.