I am convinced that God is calling us to a season of spiritual growth.
Sisters and
brothers, people of the Diocese of Oklahoma,
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I recently sent a message to the clergy of the diocese. I am
reaching out to you as well, because we are always looking for mission-minded,
Christ-centered clergy, to partner with you, the people of this Diocese in
advancing the Jesus Movement in Oklahoma. I am convinced that God is calling us
to a season of spiritual growth, personal evangelism, and serving our
neighbors. This will be a shared effort, and, to be faithful, we will need
clergy and lay leaders working together to respond to God’s call. In
particular, I am asking for your help in identifying potential clergy and
encouraging them to take the first steps in discerning a possible call to serve
God as a priest or deacon.
I want to
make sure that each of you has the opportunity to see the new materials that we
are using to encourage discernment of possible vocations to Holy Orders. They are available here.
Here’s a bit about what to look for: We are seeking spiritually
mature Christians with passionate faith, committed to following Jesus in the
Episcopal Church. Ideal applicants have a track record of faithful lay ministry
and the gifts and experience to build Christ-centered community with all sorts
and conditions of people. They have demonstrated personal integrity and the
courage to be honest and vulnerable about where God is working in their
lives. They are open to the ministry of evangelism, including sharing their
personal stories of meeting Jesus and having their lives changed. Like the
first disciples, they are humble people of prayer and action, who draw strength
from their faith, put Jesus and his Movement first, and respond to the leading
of the Holy Spirit. They are motivated by gratitude for God’s grace and
genuine love for God and neighbor.
Applications
are due May 31 for our Aspirancy Program. If you sense that you may be called
to explore this vocation, please speak to your parish priest (or senior or
bishop’s warden, if you are currently without a priest). Please also encourage
others in whom you see the Spirit at work to have such a conversation with your
priest or warden.
One way to
encourage others is to share a copy of the brochure (easily downloadable from
our website, see the link above) with them. Canon Bill Carroll, our Canon for
Clergy Transitions and Congregational Life (CanonBill@epiok.org,
(405) 820-8448), is also available to answer questions about this process and
what is involved.
Faithfully,
+Bishop Ed