“Is God really asking me to consider this?”
We are all called into relationship with God and one another and he wants us to use this new found relationship for the building up of ourselves, each other, the world, the kingdom. This is done in many ways, large and small, public and private. Often there is a main focus to this, and we call it vocation or calling. It can be paid or voluntary, full time or part time alongside other work or not, long term or short term, outside of the church or part of the church; some examples might be parenthood, teaching, nursing, gardening, serving in a café, cleaning, managing a business, the list goes on and on, but it also includes being ordained as a deacon or a priest.
The way of finding out what it is that God is calling us to is the process of discernment. How we discern varies. Some people are given a gentle nudge whilst others need a Birmingham screwdriver (a hammer!). For some it starts within and is then confirmed by others. Others are encouraged to explore by those around them and then gradually it grows within. It is not always clear which is why the Church of England, both locally and nationally, have various people and processes to help.
Have a listen to those ordained deacon in 2025 and discover some of their story:
If you are thinking that your calling might involve being ordained (that is, being a deacon or priest) then we suggest that you:
- Pray
- Speak to your church leader or chaplain
- Speak to the Vocations Team in the Diocese by emailing Vocations@LeicesterCofE.org
- Look at the vocations page of the National Church of England website
- For information about the discernment process visit: Understanding Discernment | The Church of England
You might like to use this prayer – the Collect for Vocation and Ministry:
Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church
is governed and sanctified:
hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people,
that in their vocation and ministry
they may serve you in holiness and truth
to the glory of your name;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.