Exploring Vocations

There are a number of ways in which those who wish to, can explore whether they have a vocation to authorised lay or ordained ministry:

• Vocations ‘taster’ morning.  This annual event occurs a few weeks after Vocations Sunday (4th Sunday after Easter) 
  This is a morning for people wanting to explore vocation to licensed ministry in the Church of England.  There will be an opportunity for them to hear more about the different types of ministry (such as ordained ministry, Readers, pioneer ministry and ordained local ministry), to ask any questions they may have, and to hear how the Coventry Diocese can help candidates to discern their vocation. For more details about the Taster Morning, please email Susan Mileham at susan@mileham.net.
• Placements can be arranged with opportunities to ‘shadow’ a person fulfilling one of the church’s ministries, such as Reader, Church Army officer, Minister in Secular Employment, Ordained Local Minister, Pioneer Minister etc.
• To read one person's reflections on the transition from Deacon to Priest, click on the following link:
  www.coventrydiocese.org/upload/file/ministry/From Deacon to priest - some reflections.pdf
• Various vocations conferences and events are held by CPAS. Ministry Division also publish a list of  events each year
• Work experience: for those still at school opportunities can be arranged to experience work in the church
• Parish Assistant and other short term paid posts. Every year there are a number of interesting posts, usually for one year, which are particularly suitable for those who are considering a vocation in the church
• The discernment process is shaped by national criteria which are set out in a document from Ministry Division called Ministry in the Church of England.
• Reading:
  • Francis Dewar Called or Collared
  • John Adair How to Find Your Vocation
  • Henri Nouwen The Road to Daybreak
  • Steven Croft Ministry in Three Dimensions
  • Alastair Redfern Ministry & Priesthood
  • Michael Ramsey The Christian Priest Today
  • Christopher Cocksworth & Rosalind Brown Being a Priest Today