Listening for God’s Call: Discernment in the Episcopal Church

A popular hymn at ordinations, Here I Am, Lord, focuses on one of the most powerful questions we can ask ourselves: “God, what are you calling me to do with my life?”  A question stands at the heart of all our Christian lives, but it especially applies to discernment—a structured process for those drawn toward ordination.

Discernment, at its core, is the holy art of listening. It is a prayerful practice of attuning ourselves to God’s voice, weighing the stirrings of our hearts against the wisdom of Scripture, tradition, and the community of faith. For Episcopalians, discernment is not a solitary act. It unfolds within the Body of Christ, through conversation with trusted mentors, participation in parish life, and ultimately through the gathered wisdom of the Church.

For many people, the first nudges of God’s call come quietly. Perhaps you find yourself drawn more deeply into prayer, scripture study, or service. Maybe others begin to see gifts in you that you cannot yet see in yourself: the ability to comfort those in grief, the skill to teach with clarity and joy, or the willingness to lead when leadership is needed.

In the Episcopal Church, a call to “something more” may take many forms. Some are called to strengthen the ministry of the laity–through pastoral care, administration, advocacy, or outreach. Others discover that their gifts resonate with the particular roles of deacons, who serve as bridges between the church and the world, proclaiming the needs of the marginalized and urging the Church toward service. Still others may sense a pull toward the priesthood–leading worship, preaching the gospel, and shepherding God’s people in the sacraments and the rhythms of daily life.

A call is not always dramatic or obvious. Rarely does it arrive like a lightning bolt. More often, it is like a seed, planted and watered, slowly growing until it can no longer be ignored. The work of discernment is to nurture that seed, test it, and see if it bears good fruit.

One of the beautiful truths of our Episcopal tradition is that no one discerns alone. While each person must wrestle with their own sense of call, the Episcopal Church insists that the wider community test and affirm that call. We believe that the Holy Spirit speaks not only through individual hearts but also through the gathered.

That is why those exploring ordination begin by talking with their priest, and why parish discernment committees meet with them over many months. These committees listen, ask hard questions, and pray alongside the individual. They help a discerner distinguish between personal desire, external pressure, and a genuine call from God. Later, the diocese’s Commission on Ministry and the bishop continue this work, ensuring that the Church as a whole recognizes and supports the call.

This communal discernment protects the Church and strengthens the individual. It acknowledges that ministry belongs not to one person but to the whole people of God, knit together by baptism. To be called is never to be elevated above others; it is to be invited into deeper service, with the community’s blessing and accountability.

But why does ordination matter? Ordination reminds us that ministry is not self-appointed. A priest does not stand at the altar because of personal ambition, but because the Church has prayed, tested, and entrusted them with that sacred responsibility. A deacon does not proclaim the gospel merely out of interest, but because the Spirit and the community together have affirmed that gift. Ordination embodies the truth that all authority in the Church flows from Christ, not from individual preference.

If you sense God might be calling you to something more, the first step is simple: pray. Ask God to guide your heart, to quiet your fears, and to open your ears to the Spirit’s whisper. Then, talk to someone you trust—your priest, a spiritual director, or a faithful friend. Pay attention to the places where others affirm your gifts. And be patient. Discernment is a journey, not a sprint.

The act of discerning is one of the greatest adventures of faith. In it, we discover not only who we are, but whose we are: beloved children of God; “Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me.”

The Commission on Ministry will host two upcoming Days of Information for those exploring a call to ordained ministry: the first on September 20, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs (125 W El Alameda, Palm Springs, CA 92262), and the second on October 18, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at the Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach (2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107). If you are considering discernment, please speak with your clergyperson before registering, and clergy are encouraged to attend alongside their discerners.

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