Commission on Ministry Discernment Manual

For complete text (50 pages) click here.

For individual topics of interest  choose from the list below:

Introduction

Section 1 – Discerning Individual Direction

Section 2 – A Congregational Discernment Team

Section 3 – Discerning Congregational Direction

Appendix A – Descriptions of Discernment

Appendix B – Discernment Listening Guidelines

Appendix C – Reflection Questions

Appendix D – Preparing to Tell Your Faith Story

Appendix E – Terms

Appendix F – Scripture Passages for Bible Study

Appendix G – Discernment Processes

                        Diocese of Minnesota

                        Diocese of Colorado

                        The Quaker Clearness Committee Model

                        Discernment Process Suggested in Listening Hearts

About the Commission on Ministry:  As an advisory group to Bishop Scarfe, the 18-member Commission continues to work on several fronts including the interview/discernment process with persons considering ordained ministry.  We currently have subcommittees working on new discernment packets for local congregations and on new formats for conducting interviews.  We have completed a new Personal History Questionnaire.  In addition we are monitoring the process in several congregations working on Ministry Development.

We are working with Tom Gehlsen on establishment of an e-seminary, and continuing to work on the response to changes in Title III of the national canons, developing various approaches to preparation for ordained and lay ministries in the diocese.

We have chosen to alternate our meetings with interviews at one meeting and then work/reflection time at the next. We continue to provide regular contact and support for our seminarians and others preparing for ordination. We surround our work with regular prayer.