Commission on Ministry
The Commission on Ministry (COM) of the Diocese of New Jersey supports the ordination process through discernment of all those who are seeking ordination. Members are lay people, deacons, and priests from across the Diocese of New Jersey. The COM provides support to those discerning Holy Orders and to the Bishop and diocesan discernment process, representing the wider diocese in this important work.
For 2024, we have continued to revise and strengthen our processes. This work is still ongoing and reflects our commitment to support those seeking ordination, and to equip our diocese to respond faithfully to those whom God has called to serve as priests and deacons in the Church. This year, after an 8-month hiatus, the COM has resumed its work. We continue to build and expand our membership.
Those seeking ordination in the Diocese of New Jersey begin in conversation with their congregation’s clergy. If encouraged, they are asked to go through a discernment process in their church and to complete the current application form for formal entry into the diocesan discernment process. Once an application form has been received, they are considered applicants. To become postulants, applicants are interviewed by the bishop and by the Commission on Ministry. For candidacy, a postulant is examined by the bishop, the Commission on Ministry, and the Standing Committee. Candidates are interviewed for ordination by the bishop, Commission on Ministry, and Standing Committee, at which point they may be approved for ordination.
Guidance and support on requirements throughout the process are provided by the Diocesan Administrator in conjunction with the COM.
At times, those in the ordination process are asked to meet with our Examining Chaplains to assess their academic preparation for ordained ministry. The Diocese of New Jersey has three examining chaplains:
- The Rev. Canon Dr. Martin Oguike
- The Rev. Canon Dr. Kara Slade
- The Rev. Megan Thomas
Discernment
The process of discerning if one is called to ordained ministry as a Deacon or Priest starts with an awareness that God is touching someone’s heart and soul to serve God’s people in a way different than what she or he may have imagined. It can come as loudly as a rushing wind or as quietly as a soft whisper. But when it comes, one cannot ignore it. To discern or distinguish this call, one needs other members of the church faith community to listen, pray, guide, and help them to validate that call.
It is important to first be grounded in your church faith community and, therefore, confirmation or reception into The Episcopal Church and being a member in good standing of a church within the Diocese of New Jersey for at least two years is necessary for beginning the discernment process.
Our diocesan process toward Holy Orders is currently “under construction,” and likewise, this page is being updated as new information and materials become available to assist those who are discerning a call and those who are walking beside them on this journey.
First Steps
- Initial Steps for the Sponsoring Priest
- Vestry Certification of Congregational Support
- Nomination Form (to be completed by Sponsoring Priest)
- Instructions for Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography