Vocation discernment
One thing was discussed at this clergy day that has been on my own heart lately.
How do we nurture budding vocations to church leadership?
Who may God be nudging in our own church family?
How do we identify those people and support them through exploration of their calling?
St Peter's is a busy parish and has a heart to grow. God seems to being speaking to us in powerful ways and we long to follow, but we really need more people in leadership, and to support those already in leadership, so we can achieve all the Spirit is leading us into.
Very soon, there will be a vocations day in our diocese. Although people who are sensing a call in their own lives are welcome to be there, the diocese really wants to encourage those who are really good at noticing and identifying God's call in the lives of others to attend, so they can learn how to set about nurturing those people, and signposting them to people and places that can help them move forward in obedience to that call. Might that person be you?
So what kind of calling am I talking about? This may be a calling to ordained ministry (deacon or priest), or as a preacher or lay worship leader. There are also specific lay roles you might like to consider within our own parish:
Intercessions (prayer readers) / Scripture reading ministry in church.
Parish Council / areas of interest teams (outreach, ministries, worship, buildings, communication, hospitality)
Deputy warden (warden experience / warden in training)
Technologies (AV operators, videography / editing etc)
Blessings Boutique volunteer or leadership team.
Green issues / environmental action
Financial stewardship
A final word:
Don't let age stop you responding to God's call.
Don't let any 'thorns in the flesh' distract you.
Don't let doubts about your abilities stop you begin an exploration in your life that may just be the best journey you every set out on.
God knows what you are capable of doing and what he has planned for your life.
Please pray about this if you feel any sort of desire to serve, any sense of calling to ministry. If God leads you further and deeper, then please contact the office. I would be glad to begin exploring this with you.