Committee on Holy Orders

COHO Introduction
COHO Call to Ministry
Ordination to the Priesthood
Ordination to the Diaconate
Diocesan Discernment Process

The Ordination Process in Maine

(revised June 2008)

The Committee on Holy Orders (COHO) is pleased to present this revision of the ordination process for the Diocese of Maine. Procedures and policies, which comply with and flesh out the current canons of the national Episcopal Church, have been drawn up after thorough study, discussion, and consultation with many in our diocese and throughout the Church.

Our goal has been to provide a "journey in formation" that is based in the baptismal ministry of all persons, focuses on the spiritual and personal development of those considering ordination, and is guided by the leadership needs of this diocese and the Church at large. At the same time, it has been our desire to design and model interactions with interested persons and congregations that respect the diversity of our diocese and the wide range of skills, life experiences, and individual callings of those who approach us for consideration.

With strict adherence to Title III of the National Church Canons, two basic processes have been developed for moving toward Holy Orders: one for ordination to the Diaconate, and the other for ordination to the Priesthood (including a period in the Transitional Diaconate). Grounded in the vastly more numerous and arguably more extensive ministry of God's People, the Laity, these two orders-together with the Episcopacy-offer a ministry of service, support, and leadership to the entire Church. Since each Order, Diaconate and Priesthood, is a unique ministry in itself and requires many unique skills, the requirements for consideration and the process of formation for each differ somewhat. Both begin, of course, from a similar understanding of ministry and the same base in Canon.

For this reason two distinct handbooks have been developed to describe each process-one (red) for ordination to the Diaconate and the other (blue) for ordination to the Priesthood, with its preceding period of Transitional Diaconate. Since both processes start out of the base of the same canonical prerequisites, the handbooks share an almost identical introductory section, but each has a series of Appendices appropriate only to its process.

Baptismal Ministry: the Foundation

All of us recognize, of course, that those in Holy Orders-Deacons, Priests, Bishops-represent but a very small portion of the entire ministry of Christ within the Episcopal Diocese of Maine. The more comprehensive and pressing question, therefore, is how can we assist each other in discerning and developing the individual ministries of all of God's People here-only a few of whom will be set aside by ordination to provide support, service, and leadership for the ministry of the rest of Christ's baptized.

Discernment of Ministry-a Cornerstone

To this end, the Commission on Ministry has developed an extensive process for the Discernment of Baptismal Ministries. This begins with an annual "Ministry Faire" for the "celebration of baptismal ministry"-with displays and workshops on many aspects and varieties of ministry, formation and spiritual growth. The Discernment Process continues in segments. The first is a regional program for all interested individuals to explore together in small, facilitated groups their growing sense of the direction their baptismal ministry might take. The second phase for anyone considering the possibility of ordination involves focused, small-group discernment of that particular vocation. Participation in the appropriate segments of this Discernment Process, or its equivalent, is a mandatory prerequisite for Maine's ordination process.
All of this is unfolding in God's time and, we trust, with God's grace and guidance. At times it seems incredibly complex and voracious of time, energy, and attention. However, those of us who have been privileged to participate in its refinement and to journey as companions to persons "on the way" have found ourselves honored, excited, and blessed with the joy and power of God's Spirit working in our midst. The Commission on Ministry, the Committee on Holy Orders, and the Bishop stand ready to assist you in any way we can; please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. Into this continuing, demanding journey we invite you--as inquirer, mentor, or companion.

Very truly yours in Christ,