COMMISSION ON MINISTRY

Diocesan Commission on Ministry

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Pursuant to the Canons of The Episcopal Church, the Diocesan Commission on Ministry is nominated by the Bishop and confirmed by vote of the annual Convention of the diocese for three-year terms.  The purpose of the Commission is to advise and assist the Bishop: (a) In the implementation of Title III of the Canons of The Episcopal Church. (b) In the determination of present and future opportunities and needs for the ministry of all baptized persons. (c) In the design and oversight of the ongoing process for recruitment, discernment, formation for ministry, and assessment of readiness therefor.

Clergy Members:
The Rev. Charles Jenkins, Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community - Commission on Ministry Chair
​The Rev. Deacon Marionette Bennett, Calvary, Charleston 
The Rev. Marie-Carmel Chery, Voorhees University/ St. Philip's, Denmark
The Rev. Ross Tortora, Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston
The Rev. Roy Tripp, St. Mark's, Port Royal
The Rev. Cn. Philip Linder, Diocesan Staff Liaison
and 
The Rev. Furman Buchanan, Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant (Fr. Buchanan also serves as the Bishop’s Advisory Committee on Ministry (BACOM), Chair. BACOM will serve as a subgroup of the COM responsible for shepherding the process for those in discernment toward a vocation.)

Lay Members:
Colleen Condon, St. Stephen's, Charleston
Philip Powell, St. David's, Cheraw
Elizabeth Smyth Walker, St. Catherine's, Florence

If you have any questions about the discernment process in the Diocese of South Carolina, please contact the Commission Chair, the Rev. Charles Jenkins at [email protected].
Called to Lead: Discerning Lay and Ordained Ministry manual 

Spiritual Direction Interest Form

Spiritual Director Biographies

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Are You Called to Lead?

The ability to identify, listen, and assist those who perceive a call to leadership in the church is a vital role of the Christian community. The Commission on Ministry in The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina developed to Called to Lead: Discerning Lay and Ordained Ministry manual to facilitate discernment for lay and ordained ministries. It is our hope that through prayerful conversation with one’s priest, a spiritual director, and a small group of church members, exploring topics such as baptismal covenant, spiritual gifts and ministry roles, over time the Spirit will provide clarity as to God’s holy invitation.

Open and Download the Called to Lead: Discerning Lay and Ordained Ministry manual at this link.

Required Forms for the Discernment of Ordained Ministry

Below are links to the forms that will be required as part of the process one will follow for the discernment of ordained ministry. Forms may be downloaded and printed. Once complete, they may be returned to Canon Philip Linder as directed on each form. 

Form A - Initiation of Aspirancy and Request for Required Congregational Discernment Committee Training
Form B - Notice of Completion of Congregational Discernment Committee Training

Form 1 - Nomination for Holy Orders
Form 2 - Acceptance of Nomination for Holy Orders
Form 3 - Letter of Support from the Sponsoring Clergy or Leader Exercising Oversight
Form 4a - Application for Admission to Postulancy in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina
Form 4b - Aspirant's Spiritual and Personal Autobiography
Form 5 - Verification of Spirtual Direction

Spiritual Directors

What is Spiritual Direction? "We define Christian spiritual direction as help given by one Christian to another which enables that person to pay attention to God’s personal communication to him or her, to respond to this personally communicating God, to grow  in intimacy with this God, and to live out the consequences of the relationship." -William A. Barry, SJ and William J. Connolly, SJ, Center for Religious Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

 If individuals are discerning a call to ministry, we recommend they meet regularly with a spiritual director. The Mepkin Spiritual Directors Network will help connect  individuals will spiritual directors that they can meet with either in-person or on Zoom. For more information, fill out an interest form and email [email protected].  

Spiritual Direction Interest Form   ~   Spiritual Director Biographies