Vocation to what?

God calls us to many different roles in life. For example, being a teacher is often described as a vocation. You can find out more about teaching in our section on Church Schools. In fact, if you are wondering about a possible vocation to teaching you might like to explore the Transforming Lives information.

But you may want to know more about some of the possibilities for ministry within the Church context. Here is a little about each of these ministries, together with some links to national sites that you may find useful:

Ordained ministry

In the Church of England, you can be ordained as a priest or as a permanent deacon. Most people who explore ordained ministry think of themselves as being a priest (or vicar or minister) in a local church community, and this is certainly the most common context for ordained ministry.

Some priests, however, may ‘specialise’ in ministering to people in their place of work, or in hospital, hospice, prison or university chaplaincy.

Some people feel a call to be a priest but want to 'push the boundaries' of traditional church, pioneering new ways of engaging with the culture and communicating the gospel - yet still within the framework of the Church of England. If this is you, then it may be that God is calling you to be an Ordained Pioneer. From this site you can also purchase a DVD called 'On the Edge'.

Some receive a stipend (like a salary) which means that they are free to exercise their priestly ministry without the need for other paid employment. Others are called to continue with their secular employment and to ‘be a priest’ at the same time – either in their workplace or in their local church community.

There is a lot of variety and it is important to work out which is the right avenue for you.

Sometimes, people feel called to be a deacon and not a priest. To find out more about deacon’s ministry and the permanent diaconate, you might like to read one of the following:

• John N Collins: Deacons and the Church (Gracewing/Morehouse, 2002)
• Rosalind Brown: Being a Deacon Today (Canterbury Press, 2005)

The Church of England has a national site with more information about ordained ministry.

Accredited Lay Ministry

Some people want to commit their working lives to serve in the Church, but do not feel called to ordination. It is possible to exercise a nationally recognised ministry as a Lay Worker who specialises in pastoral, evangelistic or missionary work.

Reader Ministry - sometimes known as Licensed Lay Ministry

Readers have a distinctive, and nationally recognised, ministry of preaching, teaching and leading worship. They play a very significant role in the ministry of the Church of England. They are often also involved in pastoral work (including taking funerals) and are among the leading lay people in any church community.

The Church Army

Sometimes described as the evangelistic arm of the Church of England, the Church Army continues to play a leading role in bringing the Good News of the Gospel to people where they are. Its pioneering, missionary orientation is particularly attractive to those who have a passion for telling others about their Christian faith. It is a full-time, paid lay ministry.

Religious Life

Some people feel drawn to the religious life. But becoming a monk, a nun or a friar is not just about spending hours in contemplative prayer, although for some it is. It is also about community living, a rule of life and a particular way of serving in God’s world – sometimes through ministries of teaching, hospitality, nursing and community work – to name a few.

Some people live together in a resident community and others follow the community rule but live in their own homes.

Useful addresses

The Church of England website offers more information about these and other opportunities for ministry. You can contact the relevant body direct from within the site.

Diocese of Ely Authorised Lay Ministry Programme

From the autumn of 2005, the Diocese of Ely has been training lay people for specific roles within their local church communities. With the support of their Vicar and Parochial Church Council, they undertake a year’s modular training in one of the following areas:

• Administration
• Children’s Ministry
• Evangelism
• Lay Pioneer Ministry
• Music Ministry
• Pastoral Care
• Social Awareness Ministry
• Worship Leading
• Youth Ministry

You can find out more about this diocesan programme in our Adult Training section under Authorised Lay Ministry

Ministry & Vocation Links

• What is vocation?
• Vocation to what? Particular ministries within the Diocese and beyond
• Vocations and young people Vocations work with children, young people and students
• The Vocations Team Who are we? What do we do?
• Vocations events and opportunities Vocations Sunday and other local events
• Vocations resources Resources for parishes and individuals
• FAQs.