The Discernment Process

The process of becoming a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Florida is pretty long and arduous, but if the call is true, then you feel compelled to dig in and press forward, no matter what. A typical "discernment" process takes about 2-3 years from the time that you express your interest to the diocese until you are actually ready (if you make it!) to set off for seminary. In my case I began my discernment in the fall of 2005 and, God willing, I will be in seminary in fall 2009.

The discernment process is outlined in a 50 page booklet on our diocesan website, but the quick details are as follows:

6-12 months of monthly meetings with your parish priest to ask questions and discuss the call. This time includes lots of reading (scripture, of course and there is a diocesan provided book list – your priest will also suggest readings).
6-12 months of meetings with a congregational discernment committee – these are folks from your own parish that meet with you on a regular schedule. Together you explore the call using guidelines and topics provided by the diocese.
6 months of mentorship with a local parish other than your home parish. This is like on the job training, with you shadowing a priest from Advent through Easter. You are encouraged to participate in all manner of clerical activity, such as preparation for Sunday services, baptisms, funerals, vestry meetings, parish finances, social activities of the parish, etc.

The time it takes depends on the person and the circumstances. I was occasionally discouraged that it is such a long process, but mostly I have been very grateful.

First, I have had a lot of growing to do and I needed time to do the growing. Wanting to become a priest forces you to re-examine all of your relationships, with your wife, your kids, your church family and most importantly, with God. I needed to know that I wasn’t going to risk my family and my current career on a feeling or a whim, this had to be concrete.

Second, a few years of discernment gives your wife and kids time to get used to the idea of selling your home and moving to seminary – this is not an easy thing to ask your family to do. My kids are young, so their sense of adventure trumps their fear of leaving. Still, I’m sure it will be tough to leave their friends, our church, and their grandparents. My wife is an incredible Christian educator and youth minister at our home parish and she has struggled most with moving away. She has rightfully insisted that our three years at seminary be meaningful and rewarding for both of us (right now it looks like she will pursue her masters in theology while I pursue my masters in divinity). Finding the best outcome among many possibilities has made us much closer.

Finally, the discernment period provides many practical benefits. By summer of 2009 we will be completely debt free (very important for seminarians!). My home parish has been very involved in the process and I know that we will be able to rely on our church family while at seminary. We have had time to prepare our home for sale. I also need time to study for the GRE and have very consciously become a student again – reading and writing all the time in preparation for formal studies.