The Diaconate
(Individual Formation)
Candidacy to Ordination
Candidacy is the final phase before ordination. It is a time during which you can continue your self-examination and complete the educational requirements for ordination. The Bishop may assign you to any congregation of the Diocese. Also at his discretion, he may remove you from the ordination process.
The Standing Committee meets the Postulant for the first time when it interviews him or her for Candidacy. Additional meetings with the Standing Committee and Commission on Ministry are optional and at the discretion of the respective committee and the bishop. Both groups will review your paperwork and evaluations and then make a recommendation regarding ordination to the bishop.
The Diaconal Exam is a take-home, open-book exam in which you have five days to complete. You can let the Rev. Dr. John Schaefer know when you ready for it. The second part of the exam will come approximately two weeks later with a meeting of the readers of the exam. It will include any questions they had about what you had written and your response to some “coffee hour” questions they will pose.
You must be at least 24 years old before ordination. The Bishop will make the final judgment as to your call and capabilities.
The following diocesan and canonical requirements will be fulfilled during the phase of Candidacy.
1. Embertide letters are written to the Bishop with copies of the winter and spring letters sent to the Chair of the Commission on Ministry. Ember Days are traditionally observed on the Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays after the 1st Sunday in Lent, the Day of Pentecost, Holy Cross Day (Sept. 14th) and December 13th. These letters should let the Bishop know what you are doing and how you are doing, particularly in these areas: academic, diaconal, human, spiritual and practical development. The letter is also an opportunity to discuss any particular issues you have in mind. You may send the letter via e-mail to the bishop who will be the only one to read it. Also send a copy to the Rev. Dr. John Schaefer for your file. He does not read them.
2. The Commission on Ministry would also like to hear from you twice a year (Nov/Dec, May/June). Send your letter to the chair of the Commission on Ministry-Individual Formation.
3. Parish Experience. The Commission on Ministry and the Bishop would like you to have experience beyond your local parish. It is suggested you visit two or more parishes for a minimum of three Sundays each to observe their way of celebrating the Eucharist and how they handle Christian Education and fellowship. Summarize your experience by comparing and contrasting it with your home parish. Be sure to include the name of the parish and dates of attendance. Send your report to the chair of the COM-IF and a copy to the Rev. Dr. John Schaefer for your files.
4. Safeguarding God’s Children is training in the prevention of child sexual abuse. The course is offered at larger churches and at the Nebraska School for Baptismal Formation and Ministry. Training may be taken at any time during your preparation for the diaconate, but must be completed before you are ordained. Contact the Rev. Ruth Jaynes regarding when the next course will be offered
5. Prevention of Adult Sexual Misconduct Training. This course will be offered from time to time at the Nebraska School for Baptismal Formation and Ministry
6. Anti-racism training will be offered in the diocese from time to time. You will be notified when it becomes available.
7. The 2006 General Convention added another item for required training: “civil requirements for reporting and pastoral opportunities for responding to evidence of abuse.” The Chancellor will cover the civil requirements for reporting evidence of abuse and courses on Pastoral Care will cover the pastoral opportunities. You will be informed of dates and times.
8. Training in the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church with emphasis on the disciplinary canons (Title IV of the canons of the Episcopal Church) will be offered by the Chancellor just prior to the beginning of Annual Council. You will be informed of dates and time.
9. The Diaconal Exam is a take-home, open-book exam in which you have five days to complete. You can let the Rev. Dr. John Schaefer know when you ready for it. The second part of the exam will come approximately two weeks later with a meeting of the readers of the exam. It will include any questions they had about what you had written and your response to some “coffee hour” questions they will pose.
The five areas that the canons require a deacon to be prepared in are: Academic studies, including Holy Scriptures, theology and the tradition of the Church; diakonia and the diaconate; human awareness and understanding; spiritual development and discipline and practical training and experience. [Title III, Canon 6, Sec. 3 (b), Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church]
10. The Bishop and COM will be apprised of the results of the exam. Depending on the results, an interview with the COM may be scheduled.
11. Your rector will write a summary of your educational progress and spiritual development to this point. In preparation for that report, it is helpful to him/her if you can compile a list of your educational accomplishments and where you are in your spiritual development. That summary is sent to the Rev. Dr. John Schaefer at the diocesan office.
12. The Nebraska School Committee Chair or someone he or she designates will prepare a report of the courses you have taken at the Nebraska School for Baptismal Formation and Ministry and the COM program evaluator may add additional comments about your educational progress.
13. If the medical exam, psychological exam or background check is more than three years old by the time of your ordination, you will need to redo it before you can be ordained. The diocese will pick up the cost of the psychological exam and background check. You will need to pay for the physical. Send all forms to the attention of the Rev. Dr. John Schaefer at the diocesan office.
14. Random drug screen. You will be asked to take a drug test within three days of notification by phone or e-mail. If you cannot get it done within that time, let the Rev. Dr. John Schaefer know and he will contact you at another time. We have accounts with Physicians Laboratory in Omaha and Lincoln and with WPCI in Scottsbluff and Kearney. The diocese pays for this test.
15. When the above have been completed and after receiving a favorable report of the Diaconal Exam, you will may send your letter of application for ordination. The letter should include a statement that you do not intend to apply for ordination to the priesthood. Send the original to the president of the Standing Committee and a copy to the Rev. Dr. John Schaefer for your file.
16. Priest and vestry endorsement for the diaconate. At a regular meeting of the vestry, the members will consider your application for the diaconate. The certificate must be signed by at least 2/3 of the members of the vestry and by your rector or priest-in-charge.
17. At this point, you may schedule an appointment with the Bishop. Keep in mind that you should allow a month’s lead time and two months in the summer. The Diocesan Administrator can help you set up the meeting.
18. If the Commission on Ministry feels they need to meet with you, you will be sent an invitation.
19. A final written assessment of your readiness for ordination will be prepared as determined by the Bishop in consultation with the COM and sent to the Standing Committee.
20. If the Standing Committee feels they need to meet with you, you will be sent an invitation.
When the Standing Committee has received the above assessments and has been assured that you have fulfilled all of the requirements for ordination, they will make a recommendation regarding ordination to the Bishop. Normally, you do not need to be present at that meeting.
21. The Bishop will communicate with you regarding ordination. All diocesan clergy and spouses and lay members of the Standing Committee and Commission on Ministry should be invited to your ordination. The diocesan office can supply you with labels.
NOTE: Setting a date and place for the ordination is the sole prerogative of the Bishop, although he may choose, if possible, to take into account your concerns and that of the congregation in which you will serve. If a tentative ordination date is set, no announcements may be made nor invitations sent until the Standing Committee has given its consent and the Bishop agrees to the ordination.
It is recommended that that you line up a photographer to take ordination pictures. Any photography during the service should be without flash and not be intrusive. You will want to send a picture to the editor of the Nebraska Episcopalian, Don Rabbe. The deadline is the first of the month. Be sure to identify the people in the picture, the person ordained and to what order, the place and date of the ordination.
22. At the time of ordination, you will make the declaration of conformity which is article VIII of the Constitution of the Episcopal Church.
I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of the Episcopal Church.
23. Ordained a Deacon.