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.
Discern a Call
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.
Discernment Handbook
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 button--secondary below to download the handbook. In the handbook, you will find a helpful timeline of the requisite documentation, meetings, and discussions.
Forms
Forms for Seekers and Postulants
The following forms will be sent to you. For copies of these forms or for questions regarding them, please see Jon Humber or email him at jhumber@dioet.org.
- Personal and Health Information Release Form (Form A3)
- Background Inquiry Release Form (Form A4)
- Letter of Understanding (Form A5)
The following forms you can download.
- Seeker’s Reflection on Companions in Discernment (Form A6)
- Report of the Companions in Discernment (Form A7)
- Financial Disclosure (Form A10)
- Vestry Nomination for Postulancy (Form A13)
- Acceptance of Nomination and Application for Postulancy (Form A14)
Forms for Candidates
- Postulant’s Application for Candidacy (Form C1)
- Clergy and Vestry Letter of Support for Candidacy (Form C2)
- Commission on Ministry Recommendation for Candidacy (Form C3)
- Standing Committee Recommendation for Candidacy (Form C4)
Forms for Vocational Deacons
- Application for Ordination to the Vocational Diaconate (Form D1)
- Clergy and Vestry Letter of Support for Ordination to the Vocational Diaconate (Form D2)
- Commission on Ministry Recommendation for Ordination to the Vocational Diaconate (Form D3)
- Standing Committee Approval for Ordination to the Vocational Diaconate (Form D4)
Forms for Priesthood
Transitional Diaconate
- Application for Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate (Form P1)
- Clergy and Vestry Letter of Support for Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate (Form P2)
- Commission on Ministry Recommendation for Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate (Form P3)
- Standing Committee Approval for Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate (Form P4)