Discernment for Ministry
The Diocesan Discernment Group on Ordained Ministry is an advisory group to the Bishop. The DDGOM is comprised of twelve members, lay and clergy. The mandate is to assist in the discernment of candidates seeking any of a variety of forms of ordained ministry.
Ordination Tracks
- Ordination to the transitional diaconate and, subsequently, priesthood.
- The order of deacon has been restored in our diocese. To this end, a diocesan Advisory Council on Postulants for Ordination (ACPO) was designed and held in the spring of 2007, resulting in the ordination of our first three deacons that fall. (Go to Diaconate)
- We are also in the midst of establishing a process for ordination of locally-affirmed candidates whose parishes are engaged in Total Ministry. (Go to Total Ministry)
Diocesan Discernment Group on Ordained Ministry
The committee is chaired by the Ven. Jennifer Sisson and is made up of lay and clergy members.
Role of the DDGOM
The members are responsible for interviewing candidates at various stages in their journey:
- prior to attending ACPO, either diocesan (for prospective deacons) or provincial (for those seeking priesthood);
- prior to deaconing, be it transitional or not; and/or
- prior to priesting.
In each of these stages candidates are asked to prepare essays on assigned topics which are circulated to DDGOM members in advance of the interview.
Typically, panels of three or four members assess the candidate, after which a report is submitted to the DDGOM with the panel’s recommendation. The DDGOM then discusses the report together and collectively makes a recommendation to the Bishop based on their discernment of the candidate’s call, suitability and readiness.
Persons desiring to explore a call to ordained ministry should speak with their parish priest who, with other parish leaders, will assist them in their discernment. Clergy may download a copy of the memo to Incumbents and Parish Council/Vestry re: Assisting in the Discernment of a Call to Ordained Ministry.
If the parish wishes to proceed with the discernment process by commending the individual to the Bishop, a Commendation form may be requested from the Bishop’s Office.
"The work and ministry of DDGOM is both challenging and rewarding, as we are privileged to share in the lives of faith-filled people desiring to respond to the leading of God’s Spirit."
Jennifer Sisson
Chair, DDGOM
Click on a heading below to expand or collapse the panel's contents.
Members
- Bernard Beare
- The Rev. Simon Blaikie
- Teresa Cameron
- The Rev. Dr. Cathy Campbell
- Lynne Corbin
- The Rev. Dr. Brad Elliott
- The Rev. Jamie Howison
- The Rev. Canon Dr. Phyllis Keeper
- Lydia Sader
- The Ven. Jennifer Sisson (Chair)
- The Rev. Rod Sprange
- Ross Steer
- Cynthia Walkes
- The Rev. Canon Robert Webster