The Diaconate 

(Total Ministry)

Candidacy to Ordination 

Candidacy is the final phase before ordination.  From Nomination to Ordination must be at least 18 months; however, there is no set time minimum for either Postulancy or Candidacy. You 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 you for the first time when it interviews you 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.  

 You must be at least 24 years old before ordination to the Diaconate.  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.  He is the only one to read them.  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 the content of your studies, especially challenging or exciting ideas or people you have encountered, the nature of your prayer life, challenges and blessings, family life, joys and challenges, community life, recreation, parish life.  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 with a copy to the Rev. Dr. John Schaefer so that a copy can be placed in your file.   Send your letter as an attachment and format it as you would if you were writing it.  Ember letters are required by the national canons of the Episcopal Church.

2.    The Commission on Ministry would also like to hear from you twice a year (November-December and April-May).  You may send that letter by mail or e-mail to the chair.  The content can be similar to your Ember Letter omitting information that you only want the Bishop to read.  Please send a copy to the Rev. Dr. John Schaefer for your file.

3.    Safeguarding God’s Children is training in the prevention of child sexual abuse.  The course is offered at the 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 Archdeacon James Visger regarding when the next course will be offered.  

4.    Prevention of Adult Sexual Misconduct Training.  This course will be offered from time to time at the Nebraska School for Baptismal Formation and Ministry.   

5.    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.  

6.    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.   

7.    Anti-racism training will be offered in the diocese from time to time.  You will be notified when it becomes available.  This is usually a two-day event.  

8.    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.    

9.    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.

10.    Random drug screen.  You will be asked to take a drug test within three days of notification by phone or e-mail.  We have accounts with Physicians Laboratory in Omaha and Lincoln and with WPCI in Scottsbluff and Kearney.  The diocese pays for this test.

11.    Send your personal application to the Bishop and Standing Committee.   Send the Rev. Dr. John Schaefer a copy for your file.
 
12.    Your priest and vestry will make a recommendation for your ordination.  The canons require that 2/3 of the total number of vestry persons (excluding the priest) sign the form.  

13.    The dates of Postulancy and Candidacy are certified by the Rev. Dr. John Schaefer and he sends that form to the Standing Committee.

14.    The Rev. Dr. John Schaefer will prepare a report of the courses you have taken at the Nebraska School and the COM program evaluator may add additional comments about your educational progress.  

15.    You must be 24 years of age.  

16.    At this point you need to meet with the Bishop.  Contact the Diocesan Administrator to set up an appointment.  Telephone:  (402) 341-5373 or toll free (866) 341-5373.  You need to allow at least a month (two months in the summer) for your appointment.
 
17.    If the Commission on Ministry feels they need to meet with you, you will be sent an invitation.

18.    The Commission on Ministry will make their recommendation to the Bishop and Standing Committee.

19.    If the Standing Committee feels a need to meet with you in person, they will invite you to their next meeting.

20.    When the Standing Committee has received the above assessments and has been assured that the Candidate has fulfilled all of the requirements for ordination, they will make a recommendation regarding ordination to the Bishop.  Normally, the Candidate does not need to be present at that meeting.  

21.    The Bishop will communicate with the Candidate 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 the concerns of the Candidate and the congregation in which he/she 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.  Please send copies of the pictures to the Rev Dr. John Schaefer at the diocesan office.  You will also 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 .