Encouraging vocations in the Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland’s Commission on Ministry is asking parishes to set aside time on the Sunday before Pentecost (which falls this year on 1 June), as a Vocation Sunday, to encourage members of their parishes to explore God’s call in their lives.
If you know a person whom you believe may have a calling to ordained ministry, one conversation could be the first step that helps them begin seeking out what this may look like for them.
If you yourself have been encouraged and prompted to consider the ordained ministry, please speak with your rector who can then liaise with your Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO) about the next stages in discerning your call. The DDO will be able to recommend if a person should attend the Commission’s annual Vocations Retreat – a confidential event where speakers and other contributors help those who are exploring calling to understand the journey. The Commission on Ministry is planning to hold a Vocations Retreat in early 2026.
Nurturing vocations is always important, not least with the pressing need for more ordained clergy to lead parishes. On every Sunday in the Church of Ireland, 80 to 90 parishes (out of 450) are vacant and held back from reaching their full potential as worshipping communities. With around 150 clergy retirements anticipated in the next eight years, we urgently need more people to speak into the lives of our future leaders about their potential – and more leaders to step forward and ask how their abilities can best serve our Church.
As General Synod members heard when they met earlier in May, there is deep and abiding joy in ministry and each parish can create a culture in which each person is a vocation scout. “We spot in people their vocation, the talents and gifts of God they are given,” Bishop Andrew Forster suggested. “I think many people are involved in ministry today because someone said to them: ‘Have you ever thought of….?’ Don’t leave that to other people, spot the vocations in others. These are challenging but exciting times. God is at work. He will use you and me to identify vocations. Whatever discernment God has given us, let’s use it in identifying vocations in others.”
With thanks to the Very Revd Lynda Peilow (Central Director of Ordinands) and Judy Peters, both of whom are members of the Commission on Ministry chaired by Bishop David.
Down & Dromore Joint Diocesan Directors of Ordinands
The Revd Karen Salmon: salmonk@tcd.ie
Tel: 07842015355
The Revd Simon Genoe: magheralin.minister@gmail.com
Tel: 07955356055