By: The Rev. Brother Aelred Dean
The Episcopal Church affirms that every Christian is called to ministry, guided by the Book of Common Prayer and the wider church. Discernment—discovering one’s vocation as a layperson, deacon, priest, bishop, or religious—is a journey shared within the church community, not taken alone. The Commission on Ministry is a key partner in helping individuals find clarity about their call.
The Episcopal Church recognizes four orders of ministry: laypersons, deacons, priests, and bishops. Each has distinct gifts and responsibilities, essential to the life of the Church.
- Laypersons represent Christ in daily life, bearing witness at work, in relationships, and in society. Their ministry is to embody Christ’s love and justice, shaping the world both inside and outside the church. This ministry is vital and distinct from ordained roles.
- Deacons are ordained for “a special ministry of servanthood,” leading ministries of compassion and justice, serving the marginalized, and interpreting the needs and hopes of the world to the church. Deacons proclaim the Gospel, serve at the altar, and remind the church of its mission to serve others.
- Priests partner with bishops in overseeing the church, leading worship, administering sacraments, preaching and teaching, and providing pastoral care. They nurture and guide faith communities, encouraging spiritual growth and discipleship.
- Bishops hold the fullness of the apostolic office, serving as chief pastors of the diocese and guardians of faith, unity, and discipline. They confirm and ordain, oversee clergy and congregations, and represent the church in ecumenical and interfaith settings, embodying unity across the church.
Religious Life, open to both lay and ordained, involves living under vows—often poverty, chastity, and obedience—in a community with a shared rule. Religious communities serve as places of prayer, hospitality, and renewal. These vows, taken after careful discernment and with church support, are a response to God’s call, not limited to ordained ministry.
The Commission on Ministry is available to help in your discernment process of listening for God’s call. Through prayer, reflection, and support, the church and the Commission on Ministry helps individuals recognize their gifts and how they are called to serve the world.
