The Priesthood

(Individual Formation)

Candidacy to Ordination

Candidacy is the final phase before ordination.  The time frame 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.  

Each fall the Bishop will decide who is to take the General Ordination Exam which is given the first week in January to those in their senior year at seminary.  Those names are submitted to The General Board of Examining Chaplains of the Episcopal Church.  The exam takes five days and must be proctored if you are not in a seminary.  

You must be at least 24 years old before ordination to the Transitional Diaconate and 24 years of age before ordination to the priesthood.  The Bishop will make the final judgment as to the candidate's 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 Bishop Burnett 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 canons (laws) of the 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 to the chair, the Rev. George Benson, St. David’s Episcopal Church, 8800 Holdrege St., Lincoln, NE 68505.  Please send a copy to the Rev. John Schaefer  for your file.

3.    Parish Experience.  If you are not in seminary, 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.    Review of finances.  In the spring of each year, you will need to complete the financial review form (PDF)and send it to the Rev. John Schaefer.  The Bishop will review the form.

5.    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.  There is no charge.  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.  

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

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.    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.

10.    The General Ordination Exam (GOE) is administered the first week in January each year.  In the fall, the Bishop decides who is to take the exam and those names are submitted to the General Board of Examining Chaplains in West Hartford, CT.  They will be in contact with you.  The diocese pays for the exam.  For those individuals not in an Episcopal seminary, you will need a proctor.  Please send the Rev. John Schaefer the proctor’s name, address, phone and e-mail.  Generally, the exam results are sent around the middle of February.  The students receive the results about a week before the bishop receives them.  According to the office of Ministry Development at the Episcopal Church center, “The purpose of the GOE is evaluative and advisory.  It offers assistance to diocesan authorities in determining a candidate’s readiness for ordination and, at the same time, provides to the candidate and his or her mentors valuable guidance in planning further continuing education.”  If you would like to view some previous GOE exams, click here.

11.    Your rector will write a summary of your educational progress (if you are not in seminary) 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.    

12.    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 the completed forms to the Rev. Dr. John Schaefer at the diocesan office. 

13.    Random drug screen.  Eastern Nebraska  Central and Western Nebraska  You will be asked to take a drug test within three days of notification to you.  If you cannot get it done within that time, let the diocese know and  you will be contacted 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.

14.    Mail your personal application to the Bishop and Standing Committee.   Send Fr. Schaefer a copy for your files.   

15.    Your priest and vestry  (PDF) 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.  

16.    A letter certifying the dates of Postulancy and Candidacy will be sent to the Standing Committee.  

17.    The seminary will prepare a report of your progress and make a recommendation concerning your ordination.  If you are not in seminary, your academic advisor will complete an evaluation  (PDF) and send that to the Rev. Dr. John Schaefer at the diocesan office.  In addition, a report of the courses you have taken at the Nebraska School will be prepared and the COM program evaluator may add additional comments about your educational progress.   

18.    You must be 24 years of age.

19.    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 for your appointment and two months in the summer.

20.    If the Commission on Ministry feels they need to meet with you, you will be sent an invitation.

21.    The Commission on Ministry will make its recommendation to the Bishop and Standing Committee.  Normally, this recommendation is for ordination to the diaconate and priesthood.  

22.    If the Standing Committee feels a need to meet with you in person, it will invite you to its next meeting.

23.    When the Standing Committee has received the above assessments and has been assured that the Candidate has fulfilled all of the requirements for ordination, it will make a recommendation regarding ordination to the Bishop.  If the Standing Committee recommends that the candidate be ordained, it will complete the Testimonial of the Standing Committee for Ordination and forward it to the Bishop.  Normally, the Candidate does not need to be present at that meeting.  

24.    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 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.

25.    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.

26.    Ordained a Deacon (transitional).  

For the requirements for ordination to the priesthood, please see the document title “Diaconate to Priesthood.”