Discernment Stages and Characteristics
Developed by Rev. Jeannie Shero
A person who is considering a ministerial calling will exhibit different characteristics and behaviors as they move through their discernment process. Tailor support to best match the person’s stage of discernment.
Emerging
Characteristics / Behaviors
- Feels or thinks that ministry is appealing or even awe-inspiring
- Often gravitates to religious events, trainings, classes, etc.
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Asks questions of clergy/students:
- What is needed to lead and run a congregation?
- How does a person become a minister?
- Is it possible to stay in their current job and still do ministry?
- May begin to talk about a desire or sense of calling to do ministry (could sound nebulous or like it might take place in living daily life)
- Seeks more responsibility and leadership in the congregation
In Care Program Support Role
- Include the person in the participant information sheet
Home Congregation Support Role
- Provide opportunities to be a leader in the congregation
- Provide opportunities to explore theology, specifically Unitarian Universalist (UU) theology
- Offer chances to be noticed and encouraged
- Offer good conversation partners
- Introduce person to resources and discernment support available from your In Care Program
Considering
Characteristics / Behaviors
- Uses the language of calling (often tentatively)
- Explores the barriers to the calling and asks questions about financial realities
- Explores theological schools or other higher level degrees
- Discusses with family and friends
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Explores the possibility of called ministry with their own or another minister
- Questions the impacts on their relationship with their congregation/minister
- Does reality checking to see if others can “see” a minister in them
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Uses language such as:
- “I’d love to be able to pursue this further, but…”
- “Could I really pay for this and make it work?”
- “Am I too old/_________ for this kind of change. Is there any other way?”
- “Can I succeed in school?”
- “Does this make any sense?”
- Others see and name their potential for ministerial calling
- Might apply for aspirant status with the MFC
In Care Program Support Role
- Include the person in the participant information sheet
- Strongly suggest that they contact the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Ministerial Credentialing Office to learn more about how to proceed
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Provide discernment conversation partner(s) who will
- Foster exploration of blessings and challenges of ordained ministry including financial implications, scholarship sources, financial aid process, realities of job market including the potential need to relocate for ministry work
- Describe other paths to religious vocation (see below)
- Be open to their questions, fears, hopes
- Be honest about their strengths and growth areas—even if it means discerning away from professional ordained ministry
- Help them create authentic language to describe their calling
- Offer resources and help locating more resources as needed
Home Congregation Support Role
- Provide opportunities to be a leader in the congregation
- Communicate with In Care Program leadership about the person’s emerging calling to some type of ministry
- Minister serves as a conversation partner similar to discernment conversation partner
Claiming
Characteristics / Behaviors
- Willing to pursue the calling, may still be somewhat wary
- Shares their calling with more people
- Plans to go to theological school, enrolls
- Feels overwhelmed with the requirements and process of ministerial formation
- Undergoes theological re-formation, deconstruction, reconstruction, etc., in school and congregational life
- Applies for aspirant status with the UUA Ministerial Credentialing Office
- Prepares for candidacy
- Completes career assessment
In Care Program Support Role
- Include the person in the participant information sheet
- Encourage active participation with peers
- Invite to student-minister gatherings
- Provide a vocational advisor
- Encourage work with a spiritual director, therapist or both
Home Congregation Support Role
- Minister serves as a conversation partner
- Offer support and show interest in person’s formation process
Invested and Pursuing
Characteristics/ Behaviors
- Attends theological school (if they do not already have an MDiv)
- Fulfills requirements and applies for Candidate status with the UUA Ministerial Credentialing Office
- Develops relationships with other students, ministers, and professional staff
- May experience a shift in calling from what they originally expected
- May experience setbacks or take a break
- Engages in ongoing discernment about ordination and ministry setting
In Care Program Support Role
- Unitarian Universalist connections and experiences
- Collegial connections and support
Home Congregation Support Role
- Offer support and show interest in person’s formation process
- Provide congregational leadership experiences, if possible
Affirming and Ritualizing
Characteristics / Behaviors
- Completes requirements of Ministerial Fellowship Committee process leading to preliminary fellowship
- Prepares for ordination and the first position
In Care Program Support Role
- Collegial connections and support
- Support during the search process
Home Congregation Support Role
- Offer ordination support and encouragement