Discern a Call to Ordained Ministry

In the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee, we are committed to helping every Episcopalian to grow deeper in faith, to become better able to discern and use the gifts for ministry, which each of us possesses.

Every baptized Christian is called.

That call is a gift to us, one we first hear in baptism. Our call is to minister—to grow in the Christian faith and to share that faith with others. The gifts for specific ministries vary, but every believer is given gifts for ministry.

So, every Episcopalian in East Tennessee is called to ministry.

In the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee, we are committed to helping every Episcopalian to grow deeper in faith, to become better able to discern and use the gifts for ministry, which each of us possesses. Together, we serve as the Body of Christ. As a body, we need each other, so that we members of the body can offer our ministries and our gifts with and for each other, with and for the world in which we live.

Along with the ministry given to us in baptism, we may hear additional calls through the wisdom of a faithful listening community. A person can be called to a deepened lay ministry. Or, individuals can be called to ordained ministry—either as deacons, priests, or bishops. These calls all require shared discernment, which involves the work of both the individual being called and that individual’s trust in engaging other faithful East Tennessee Episcopalians in whatever discernment may be unfolding.

The discernment handbook for the Diocese of East Tennessee, Discerning a Call to Ministry, is a guide for all those who wish to formally discern a call to ministry. Click on the button below to download the handbook. In the handbook, you will find a helpful timeline of the requisite documentation, meetings, and discussions.