Updated 12/2016
Frequently Asked Questions
about postulancy and formation in the Diocese of Olympia
Is there a document that explains the process of discernment for vocations?
You can obtain this by contacting the Canon
to the Ordinary and Liaison to the Commission on Ministry, Marda Steedman Sanborn.
The document is called the Discerning Vocations Manual.
What are the kinds of ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church?
We are all, by virtue of our baptismal covenant ministers of the Church, called to represent Christ in the
world. There are three kinds of ordained ministers in the Episcopal Church: deacons, priests, and
bishops (BCP 855).
What about lay ministry?
Lay people, though not ordained ministers, are nonetheless still ministers, called to bear witness to
Christ wherever they may be; and according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of
reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church
(BCP 855).
What is a deacon?
A deacon is a minister called to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as servant to those in need;
and to assist bishops and priests and proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of sacraments.
Bishop Rickel describes the job of a deacon as “finding trouble in the world and bringing it back to the
Church” (BCP 856). There are vocational deacons and transitional deacons; all priests must first serve as
transitional deacons before ordination to the priesthood.
What is a priest?
A priest is a minister called to represent the Christ and his Church, particularly as a pastor to the people;
to share with the bishop the overseeing of the Church; to proclaim the Gospel, to administer the
sacraments; and to bless and declare pardon in the name of God (BCP).
What is a bishop?
A bishop is a minister called to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as apostle, chief priest, and
pastor of a diocese; to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the whole Church; to proclaim the Word
of God; to act in Christ’s name for the reconciliation of the world and the building up of the Church; and
to ordain others to continue Christ’s ministry (BCP 855).
Can I be ordained if I am gay?
Absolutely. While the ordination of gay people has been controversial, the Commission on Ministry
accepts gay people, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered as postulants, and Bishop Rickel has ordained
LGBT people as priests and deacons.
What if I am a woman?
Yes. In July 1976 the 72nd General Convention passed a resolution stating that "no one shall be denied
access" to ordination into the three orders of ministry: as deacons, priests or bishops, on the basis of
