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DDO Handbook Section 2

Vocations Work

 

Contents of this Section:

Introduction

An important part of the DDO’s work is encouraging vocations within the diocese.  Sometimes DDOs undertake this task single-handedly.  More usually, they work with a team of Vocations Advisers.  In some dioceses, the Vocations Advisers are principally concerned with those exploring a vocation to ordained ministry.  In other dioceses, the Vocations Advisers are responsible for discerning vocations to a wide range of authorised ministries within the life of the Church and to other vocations such as the vocation to teach.

Reactive and proactive vocations work

Encouraging vocations is a demanding task and involves both a reactive and a proactive approach to the work.  The reactive work involves DDOs and Vocations Advisers meeting with enquirers who have asked to see them or who have been referred to them by their incumbents or others.  While the reactive work may be time consuming, DDOs and Vocations Advisers cannot rely solely on a steady flow of enquirers.  There has to be an element of proactive work to encourage those who have never explored their vocation to do so.  This is particularly important in relation to encouraging vocations among young people and people from a minority ethnic background.  In this proactive work, the use of the newly ordained and ordinands in training (both of whom are often very much alive to their sense of vocation) can be particularly effective.  They can be asked to preach in local churches and to tell the  story of their vocational journey at diocesan vocations days and events.  In encouraging vocations among young people, parish clergy, youth officers, school, FE and HE chaplains have an important part to play. Forging links with careers advisers in the area may also prove fruitful.

Discerning vocation

During their first meeting with enquirers, DDOs and Vocations Advisers will want to listen carefully to the vocational stories of the enquirers and to tease out from the enquirers their response to two key questions: ‘What do you feel called to?’ and ‘why now?’.  DDOs and Vocations Advisers will be concerned with discerning where the enquirers’ vocation lies and what the nature of the vocation is.  Other important questions are: Is there an inner sense of call or an owning of the vocation on the part of the enquirer?  To what extent has the vocation been affirmed by others?  How realistic is the vocation, that is does the enquirer have the necessary gifts or potential to deliver the vocation?  How informed is the vocation, that is how far has the enquirer explored what is involved in fulfilling the vocation? 

Vocation to ordained ministry

If it is discerned that an enquirer’s vocation is to ordained ministry then the DDOs and Vocations Advisers will explore in depth at subsequent meetings how far the enquirer fulfils the Criteria for Selection.  One to one meetings with the DDO or a Vocations Adviser are clearly important in this process.  However, it  is also very useful if there are vocations groups operating within the diocese where enquirers can meet and support one another, and where shared learning and interpersonal and group skills can be developed.

The Ministry Division’s Vocations Officer

The Vocations Officer in the Ministry Division is on hand to advise DDOs and Vocations Advisers on diocesan vocations work and the different models of vocations work currently operating within the Church of England.  Advice on how to set up a Vocations Advisers team and training for Vocations Advisers is available.  Every two years, the Vocations Officer runs a Vocations Advisers’ Consultation to which both DDOs and Vocations Advisers are invited.  The Vocations Advisers Consultation is usually an opportunity to look at different aspects of vocations work, to share good practice and to learn about new initiatives.

Vocations conferences

Every year, the Ministry Division runs a vocations conference for those who want to explore the possibility of ordained ministry.  The conference takes place over a weekend starting at 6 p.m. on the Friday and finishing at

2 p.m. on the Sunday.  There is usually a range of speakers who look at among other things the spirituality of vocation, the being and the doing of a Priest, the Criteria for Selection and what happens at a Bishops’ Advisory Panel.  There is also usually an opportunity for a visit to a parish to look at different models of ministry and mission. The Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns also runs an annual vocations conference for people from a minority ethnic background.  Details about both these conferences are to be found in the annual Vocations Events leaflet available from the Vocations Officer.

Placement opportunities

A member of staff at the Ministry Division holds a file on placement opportunities in parishes and elsewhere.  These can provide candidates with useful pastoral experience before going to a Bishops’ Advisory Panel (see Appendix 2A).

Vocations resources

There are a number of resources available from the Vocations Officer:

  • Leaflets: the taster leaflets are for people to take away and read.  There is a tear-off section for them to request further information.
  • Posters: these are A4 size for putting up on church and chaplaincy notice boards.
  • Booklet: the booklet Ministry in the Church of England is designed to help people explore their sense of vocation to ordained or accredited lay ministry.  It also offers practical information about the Criteria for Selection, what happens at a Bishops’ Advisory Panel and theological training.
  • Vocations Events: this is an annual leaflet which gives details about a range of vocations events taking place around the country during the course of the year.
  • Vocations Advisers Handbook: this provides Vocations Advisers with information  about what is involved in being a Vocations Adviser.

A reading list for those exploring vocation

The Vocations Officer also produces a reading list for enquirers.  It is not exhaustive but does attempt to include a wide range of viewpoints thus reflecting the breadth of the Church of England. 

Vocation

John Adair  How to Find your Vocation (Canterbury Press 2000)

Stuart Buchanan: On Call (BRF 2001)

Maria Boulding: A Touch of God (Triangle 1988)

Os Clarke: The Call (Spring Harvest 2001)

Francis Dewar: Called or Collared (new edition SPCK 2000)

Francis Dewar: Invitations: God’s Calling for Everyone (SPCK 1996)

Francis Dewar: Live for a Change (DLT 1988)

Henri Nouwen: The Road to Daybreak (DLT 1989)

Charles Richardson: This is our Calling (SPCK 2004)

Ordained Ministry

Paul Avis: A Ministry shaped by Mission (T&T Clark 2005)

Liz and Andrew Barr: Jobs for the Boys? Women who Became Priests (Hodder and Stoughton 2001)

Andrew Bowden and Michael West: Dynamic Local Ministry (Continuum 2000)

Rosalind Brown: Being a Deacon Today (Canterbury Press 2005)

Michael Bowering (ed): Priesthood Here and Now (Newcastle Diocese 1994)

Wesley Carr: The Priestlike Task (SPCK 1985)

Andrew Clitherow: Into Your Hands (SPCK 2001)

Christopher Cocksworth and Rosalind Brown: Being a Priest Today (Canterbury Press 2002)

Jim Cotter: Yes Minister (Cairns 1992)

Steven Croft: Ministry in Three Dimensions (DLT 1999)

James M M Francis and Leslie J Francis: Tentmaking: Perspectives on Self-Supporting Ministry (Gracewing 1998)

John Fuller and Patrick Vaughan (eds) Working for the Kingdom (SPCK 1986)

Robin Greenwood: Transforming Priesthood (SPCK 1994)

George Guiver (ed): Priests in a People’s Church (SPCK 2002)

Michael Hollings: Living Priesthood (McCrimmons 1994)

Basil Hume: Light in the Lord (St Paul’s Publications 1991)

David Ison: The Vicar’s Guide: Life and Ministry in the Parish (CHP 2005)

Gordon Kuhrt: An Introduction to Christian Ministry (CHP 2000)

Gordon Kuhrt: Ministry Issues for the Church of England – Mapping the Trends (CHP 2001)

Giles Legood: Chaplaincy (Cassell 1999)

Christopher Moody: Eccentric Ministry (DLT 1992)

Henri Nouwen: In the Name of Jesus (DLT 1997)

Michael Ramsey: The Christian Priest Today (SPCK 1972)

Alastair Redfern: Ministry and Priesthood (DLT 1999)

Christina Rees (ed): Voices of this Calling (Canterbury Press 2002)

Anthony Russell: The Clerical Profession (SPCK 1980)

W H Vanstone: Love’s Endeavour, Love’s Expense (DLT 1978)

W H Vanstone: Fare Well in Christ (DLT 1997)

John Witcome: The Curate’s Guide: From Calling to First Parish (CHP 2005)

Anglicanism

Paul Avis: The Anglican Understanding of the Church (SPCK 2000)

Colin Buchanan: Is the Church of England Biblical? (DLT 1998)

Monica Furlong: C of E: The State it’s In (Hodder and Stoughton 2000)

Richard Giles: How to be an Anglican (Canterbury Press 2003)

Bob Jackson: Hope for the Church (CHP 2002)

Michael Nazir-Ali: Shapes of the Church to Come (Kingsway 2001)

Alastair Redfern: Being Anglican (DLT 2000)

Stephen Sykes: The Integrity of Anglicanism (SPCK 1978)

Spirituality

Simon Barrington-Ward and Brother Ramon: Praying the Jesus Prayer Together (BRF 2001)

Stephen Cottrell: Praying Through Life (CHP 1998)

Richard Foster: A Celebration of Discipline

Michael Paul Gallagher: Letters on Prayer (DLT 1994)

Gerard Hughes: God of Surprises (BRF 1993)

William Johnstone: Being in Love: The Practice of Christian Prayer (Fordham University Press 1999)

Melvyn Matthew: Both Alike to Thee: The Retrieval of the Mystical Way (SPCK 2000)

Donald Nicholl: Holiness (DLT 1981)

Henri Nouwen: The Return of the Prodigal Son (DLT 1994)

J I Packer: Knowing God

John Wilkins (Ed): How I Pray (DLT 1993)

Rowan Williams: The Wound of Knowledge (DLT 1990)

The booklets in the Grove Booklet series are often good introductions to aspects of spirituality.

Biblical Studies

J Drane, Introducing the OT (rev. ed. Lion 2000)

S Moyise, Introduction to Biblical Studies (Cassell 1998)

J Barton, Reading the Old Testament: method in Biblical Studies (DLT 1996)

L Boadt, Reading the Old Testament: an introduction (Paulist Press 1984)

J Rogerson, Beginning OT Study (rev. ed. SPCK 1998)

C Rowland, Christian Origins (SPCK 1985)

G Stanton, The Gospels and Jesus (OUP 1989)

E P Sanders, Paul (OUP 1991)

Christian Faith and Theology

Christina Baxter: Wounds of Christ (Zondervan, 2005)

Stephen Cottrell: I Thirst (Zondervan, 2003)

David Ford: Theology: A Very Short Introduction (OUP 1999)

Anthony and Richard Hanson: Reasonable Belief (OUP 1981)

Brian Hebblethwaite: The Essence of Christianity (SPCK 1996)

Alister McGrath: Theology: The Basics  (Blackwells 2004)

Keith Ward: Christianity: A  Short Introduction (SPCK 2000)

Rowan Williams: On Christian Theology (Blackwell 1999)

Rowan Williams: Open to Judgement (DLT 1994)

Rowan Williams: Lost Icons (T &T Clark 2000)

Liturgy and Worship

Walter Brueggemann: Israel’s Praise: Doxology Against Idolatry and Idealogy (Fortress Press 1988)

Christopher Cocksworth:  Holy, Holy, Holy: Worshipping the Trinitarian God (DLT, 1997)

Paul Bradshaw: Two Ways of Praying (SPCK 1995)

Richard Giles: Creating Uncommon Worship (Canterbury Press 2004)

Mission and Evangelism

Paul Bayes: Mission-shaped Church - Missionary Values, Church Planting and Fresh Expressions of Church (Grove Booklet Ev 67, 2004)

Mike Booker and Mark Ireland: Evangelism: Which Way Now? (CHP 2003)

J Andrew Kirk: What is Mission (2002 DLT) 

Mission Theological Advisory Group: Presence and Prophesy (CHP 2002)

Mission and Public Affairs: Mission-Shaped Church (CHP 2004)

Ann Morisy: Journeying Out – A New Approach to Christian Mission (Morehouse 2004)

Self Knowledge and Pastoral Relationships

Alastair Campbell: Rediscovering Pastoral Care (DLT 1986)

Wesley Carr: Handbook of Pastoral Studies (SPCK 1997)

Malcolm Goldsmith and Martin Wharton: Knowing Me Knowing You (SPCK 1993)

Michael Jacobs: Swift to Hear (SPCK 2000)

Michael Jacobs: Still Small Voice (SPCK 2001)

Henri Nouwen: The Wounded Healer (DLT 1994)

Henri Nouwen: Compassion (DLT 1982)

Philip Sheldrake: Befriending Our Desires (DLT 1997)

Religious Life

Anglican Religious Communities Year Book – current edition (Canterbury Press)

Barbara Fiand: Refocusing the Vision: Religious Life into the Future (The Crossroad Publishing Co. 2001)

Basil Hume, O.S.B.: Searching for God (Gracewing 2002)

Isabel Losada: New Habits (Hodder & Stoughton 1999)

Mary Loudon: Unveiled: Nuns Talking (Ebury/Vintage 1993)

Timothy Radcliffe, OP: Sing a New Song: The Christian Vocation (Dominican Publications 1999)

Sandra M Schneiders, I.H.M.: Finding the Treasure (Paulist Press 2000)

Jean Vanier: Community and Growth: Our Pilgrimage Together (DLT 1989)

Select List of Novels with Theological Themes

The list below provides some titles of novels, which explore theological themes.  The list is far from exhaustive. 

Saul Bellow: Henderson the Rain King

Georges Bernanos: The Diary of a Country Priest

Fydor Dostoyevsky: The Brothers Karamazov

Shasuko Endo: Silence

Catherine Fox: Angels and Men

William Golding:   

                    Darkness Visible

                    Rites of Passage

                    The Spire

Graham Greene: 

                    The Power and the Glory

                    Monsignor Quixote

                    Burnt Out Case

Hermann Hesse:

                    Narziss and Goldmund

                    Siddhartha

Susan Howatch: Glittering Images

P D James:

                    Death in Holy Orders

                    Children of Men

David Lodge: Therapy

Sara Maitland: Brittle Joys

Brian Moore:

                    Black Robe

                    The Statement

Iris Murdoch: The Bell

Barbara Pym: A Glass of Blessings

Sally Vickers:

                    Miss Garnet’s Angel

                    Mr Golightly’s Holiday

Morris West:

                    The Devil’s Advocate

                    Shoes of the Fisherman

                    Lazarus

                    The Clowns of God

                    Eminence

Appendix 2A

PLACEMENTS

Placements are a useful means of broadening the experience and developing the skills of any candidate for selection.  Placements commonly arise in one of the following ways:

The candidate or the DDO may feel it would be useful preparation prior to a Bishops’ Advisory Panel.

The Bishops’ Advisers may suggest or advise that a placement be undertaken prior to training.

The Bishops’ Advisers may make a recommendation for training with conditions which include a placement.

These notes are intended to assist those who are involved in placements.  Additional copies of them may be obtained from the Ministry Division.  It should be noted that a placement which results from a recommendation with conditions falls within the remit of Pre-Theological Education (PTE).  DDOs should consult the PTE  pages of this handbook to ensure that the work is being undertaken within the appropriate framework.  DDOs may find it helpful to have conversation with the National Adviser for Pre-Theological Education as they plan a placement.

It is important to be clear about the purpose of a placement.  It is useful if a statement of the main aim of a placement is written at the beginning of the process of its development.  Where a placement arises from a recommendation with conditions (PTE), a rationale for the condition will have been offered in the main body of the report.  Objectives or learning outcomes will have been stated in the condition paragraph which will also offer some suggestions about the nature of the placement.  A placement may be required in relation to any of the nine Criteria for Selection.

A good placement depends on three things:

  • An appropriate setting.
  • A good supervisor.
  • Adequate practical arrangements.

The setting for the placement must relate well to the learning needs of the candidate.  This means that the opportunities offered in a particular context must be examined for their potential to produce growth in the individual concerned.  For example, a candidate may need wider experience of the Church of England.  A single placement in a parish which differs greatly from the candidate’s home parish may seem the ideal solution, but the worship may be so different as to alienate rather than build up.  A series of short and varied placements, where the candidate is asked to observe rather than participate, may prove more fruitful.  It is important to think carefully about the goals for the placement and where they might best be met.  It may well be that a non-parochial placement should be considered.  For example, someone who needs to become less hesitant about articulating Christian beliefs might benefit from working as a volunteer in a largely secular environment, say as a prison, school or hospital chaplaincy volunteer.  Placements may also be a useful means of meeting more than one need.  Thus, someone with a largely unstructured prayer life and little experience of the Church of England might benefit from a placement in a religious community.  Such a piece of work may have additional value in further clarifying the candidate’s articulation of vocation.  Those who have the responsibility for setting up placements are encouraged to be creative in their consideration of possible settings in which a candidate might be placed.

Although the opportunities offered in the placement setting are extremely important, they need to be balanced by a good supervisor.  A less-than-perfect match between need and the elements available in a particular context can be more than offset by work with a good supervisor.  The primary attribute of a good supervisor is the ability to enable the process of reflection in the candidate.  Supervision should involve regular meetings between the candidate and the supervisor where the work of the placement is discussed; they should be used for recollection and feedback.  The atmosphere should explicitly encourage deep thought about what has happened, should permit the articulation of feelings around events, and should offer the opportunity for integration between experience and the candidate’s being, both as a person and as a Christian.  While an exceptional candidate might do the necessary reflective work in isolation, most need the challenge afforded by regular supervision.

Having considered the opportunities afforded by a particular situation and the adequacy of the likely supervisor, fixing the placement depends on the satisfactory negotiation of a number of matters.  We strongly recommend that any placement is supported by a written agreement.  This should include the aim of the placement, the means by which this will be achieved and how the work will be assessed or moderated.  (NB: A candidate who is working on PTE will be producing a portfolio prior to moderation.  The parameters for this process are laid out in the PTE pages of this Handbook and in the candidates’ booklet Welcome to Pre-Theological Education).  The agreement needs to cover the nature of the candidate’s involvement in the placement.  Asking the following questions might be fruitful:

Will the placement be strictly for observation?

Will particular tasks be undertaken by the candidate?

Will the candidate have particular areas of responsibility?

Is any written work expected as part of the placement?

When will the placement begin and end?

How many hours per week are expected?

Does this fit well with the candidate’s other relationships and commitments?

The agreement also needs to cover the work of others involved in the placement.  Again, working with the following questions may help:

Who is to be the supervisor?

How much of the time on placement is to be given over to supervision?

What is the availability of the supervisor?

What will be the role of the DDO?

Will anybody else have oversight or managerial responsibility for the candidate?

Other matters need to be addressed in some, but not all, placements.  The following issues may have some relevance:

Where will the candidate worship while on placement?

What are the financial consequences of the placement and who will bear them?

What are the living arrangements during the period of the placement?

What arrangements are being made about study during the placement?

To whom is the candidate accountable?

How will disagreements and disputes be handled?

Additionally, consideration needs to be given to any report at the end of the placement.  Again, it may be useful to consider the following questions:

Is a placement report to be produced by the candidate and, if so, in what form?

Who will have access to what the candidate has produced?

Is a report expected from the placement supervisor?

Will the candidate see the supervisor’s report?

How will a decision be made about whether the placement has achieved its aims?

The written documents associated with a particular placement do not need to be lengthy, but experience suggests that a placement will be more fruitful for all concerned if care is taken over these matters as it is planned.  Further guidance and a list of some placement opportunities can be obtained through the Ministry Division.