Ordination Journeys
Journey to the Diaconate
The journey to ordination as a deacon has five main movements. It begins with a months-long, carefully defined, and stepwise process called Parish Discernment. This is carried out at the parish level with one’s Rector and a Discernment Committee appointed by the Rector. If Parish Discernment confirms a calling to the diaconate, the next step is application and acceptance to the diocese’s School for Ministry.
Once accepted, a diaconal ordinand will begin simultaneously completing four courses of assessment, preparation, and training.
The first course, Diocesan Discernment, typically takes only a few months and consists of background checks, wellness assessments, and safeguarding training.
Another course (for vocational deacons only) is called Theological Formation. This is a cohort-based twelve-month program of theological study led by diocesan instructors.
Another course, Practical Formation, is a diocesan plan of hands-on training carried out at the parish level, typically with one’s rector. Vocational deacons should expect to finish this course in twelve months; transitional deacons may finish on a different timeline depending on their personal circumstances.
A final course of preparation is Spiritual Formation. This is an extended examen carried out with a Spiritual Director (or other mentor) aimed at formation of the heart. Vocational deacons may expect to complete this course over twelve months, whereas transitional deacons may take longer or shorter, depending on their specific circumstances.
For vocational deacons, the conclusion of one’s training is a Summative Assessment, after which one becomes a Candidate for ordination to the diaconate. One may then schedule one’s ordination service, over which the Bishop will preside.
Feel free to reach out to our Credentialing Project Manager, Anna Holsteen, for additional information, or to review the Parish Discernment Handbook (coming soon) or Diaconal Ordination Handbook (coming soon) for further information.
Journey to the Presbyterate
The journey to ordination as a presbyter in the Diocese of the Rocky Mountains also begins with Parish Discernment. If Parish Discernment confirms a calling to the presbyterate, one applies to the School for Ministry and is accepted formally into the diocesan ordination process for this office.
Presbyteral ordinands are required to complete three types of training and preparation: theological, practical, and spiritual. Importantly, they must also first prepare for and be ordained to the diaconate. Therefore, presbyteral ordinands complete Diocesan Discernment along with Practical Formation for the Diaconate. Then, Spiritual Formation runs on a separate pathway spanning both diaconal and presbyteral training. Their theological training must be normatively obtained through completing an advanced degree in Divinity, Theology, or Religion, after which they must sit for the diocese’s rigorous Theological Assessment Exam.
A period of at least six months of serving as a deacon is then required. During this time, a presbyteral ordinand will complete a second course of practical and spiritual formation, Local Formation for the Presbyterate. Successful completion of the requirements of this second period of preparation make one a Candidate for ordination to the priesthood. An ordinand may schedule his presbyteral ordination service, at which the Bishop will preside.
The overall length of time this presbyteral ordination journey might take depends on an ordinand’s individual circumstances; for instance, on whether he has already received his advanced degree when beginning to consider ordination, or on the marks they receive on their Theological Assessment Exam. The best way to get a sense of one’s personal timeline is by discussing one’s circumstances with the Director of Credentialing.
Feel free to reach out to our Credentialing Project Manager, Anna Holsteen, for additional information, or to review Parish Discernment Handbook (coming soon) or Presbyteral Ordination Handbook (coming soon).
