The Priesthood

(Individual Formation)

Transitional Diaconate to Priesthood

The Transitional Diaconate is a minimum of six months in length during which the deacon gains some practical experience under the guidance of a priest.  Below are the final requirements for ordination to the priesthood.  You must be 24 years of age or older.

1.    Your medical exam, psychological exam and background check must be no older than three years by the time of your ordination.  If any one of them is older than three years, it must be repeated.  You may initiate the medical exam.  You will bear the cost.   The bishop will refer you to the psychologist and the diocese will pay for the exam.  Likewise, the diocese will initiate the background check and pay for it.

2.    You will send your application for ordination   (PDF) to the President of the Standing Committee and a copy to the Rev. Dr. John Schaefer at the diocesan office for your file.

3.    The vestry of the parish where you are exercising your diaconate will be responsible for endorsing you for ordination to the priesthood.  You rector can download the vestry form   (PDF).  You may want to remind him or her to do so.  When it has been completed, please send the form to Canon Schaefer and he will make a copy for the Standing Committee.

4.    The diocesan office will send the Standing Committee evidence of your Postulancy and Candidacy.

5.    Before you can be ordained a priest, you must have a cure (a spiritual charge where you will exercise your priesthood).  Please send Canon Schaefer at the diocesan office a copy of your letter of call and/or letter of agreement which outlines your duties and responsibilities as well as the duties and responsibilities of the parish.  Click here (PDF) to view a sample letter.

6.    The report from the Commission on Ministry program evaluator and/or the Seminary will be in most cases the same one used for ordination to the transitional diaconate.   We will need, in addition, a report from the priest supervising your diaconate describing how you have exercised your diaconate and recommending you for ordination to the priesthood.

7.    Schedule an appointment with the Bishop.  He would like to meet with you one more time before ordination.  You may contact the Diocesan Administrator at (402) 341-5343 or toll free at (866) 341-5373.  You will need to allow at least a month to schedule the appointment and perhaps two months in the summer.

8.    The Commission on Ministry will send the Standing Committee their recommendation concerning your ordination to the priesthood.  Usually the one they send for the Transitional Diaconate includes language that covers the priesthood as well.

9.    Having received the above documents, the Standing Committee will act on your request for ordination and make a recommendation to the Bishop.  Having met you prior to ordination as a deacon, they may not need to meet you in person for ordination to the priesthood.  You will be informed one way or the other.  No public announcements of your ordination may be made nor may invitations be sent until the Standing Committee and Bishop consent to your ordination.

10.    You, the Bishop and the rector of the parish where you will be ordained agree on a date for the ordination.

11.    During the ordination service, you will be asked to make the Oath of Conformity (Article VIII of the Constitution of the Episcopal Church)

Oath of Conformity

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.

As a final note, you may want to arrange to have someone take pictures of you and the Bishop and perhaps the other clergy present immediately after the service or at some other convenient time before everyone removes their vestments.  Let the potential participants of the photo shoot be aware of your plans.  The Bishop enjoys a copy of the picture.  Plan to send a picture to the editor of the Nebraska Episcopalian, Don Rabbe.  The deadlines are the first of each month.  If you need an extension, check with the diocesan office to see when the final cut-off date is.

 May God richly bless your ministry.