It has not been possible to include all patterns of ministry here, for example, Church Army Evangelists, London City Missioners or members of Religious Orders, but there will be an opportunity to learn more about these ministries at the Diocesan Vocations Day later in the year. These people represent five authorised ministries where the diocese has direct responsibilities for recruitment and selection. Those who have written about their ministry are not stereotypes - each of us is different and brings a variety of gifts.

Is God calling?

Through baptism (or conversion) all Christians are called to ministry or the service of God. For a great number of people, that call does not mean to a ministry which carries a title. It does, though, mean for all of us, identifying our own precious gifts and offering them freely to build up the Kingdom of God.

All too often these gifts are not used, people are not aware of them, congregations do not encourage them to be developed, or there is always a good reason for not doing something about them.

In the early church of the New Testament, local congregations called out people to particular ministries.

It is a central part of any congregation's ministry in the 21st century to discern the gifts of those who worship there and call them to service. That call can come from others and needs to be owned by the individual. Sometimes, however, the call comes directly to a person and needs to be tested by the wider church.

Working out our own particular call is sometimes not easy; we lack confidence, need to know more and talk to others about it.

Often the first person to talk with is your vicar or another member of the congregation.

The next step is to attend a Vocational Guidance Unit. These are held in each Episcopal Area three times a year. They give an opportunity to talk and listen to others who also believe that God is calling them.

Enquirers hear some of the things that the Bible has to say about ministry and calling. There will also be more details about the different patterns of ministry in today's Church.

More...