Discernment and Ordination
Discernment is the process of determining God's calling in your life. This can apply when you are deciding whether to accept a promotion, or to enter into marriage, or to move to a new city. Of course, these decisions can be made on purely practical bases, but as Christians we know that "We do not live to ourselves..." (Romans 14:7). In Christian discernment, we ask for God to guide us so that we can live into a life and ministry that God wills for us. Defined more narrowly, discernment describes the specific question of entering into holy orders.
The Diocese of Missouri is in the midst of an ordination redesign process. Additional materials will be added to this page as they become available.
Priestly & Diaconal Ordination Process Overview and Checklist
- Download this complete overview of the discernment process for Ordination to the Priesthood in The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
- Download this complete overview of the discernment process for Ordination to the Diaconate in The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
- The Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, which discusses ordination in Title III, Canon 3.
Spiritual Direction
- Download our spiritual direction information sheet, which includes a list of available spiritual directors.
Theological Education
The Diocese of Missouri is affiliated with The Bishop Kemper School for Ministry in Topeka, Kansas. The Bishop Kemper School for Ministry offers classes for personal enrichment or for those pursuing education that may lead to ordained or licensed lay ministry.
Download an information sheet about the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry.
Diocese of Missouri Ordination Task Force
Bishop Deon Johnson assembled this team to redesign the ordination process and provide hands-on assistance for those in the discernment and ordination process.
Task Force members and roles
- The Rev. Canon Whitney Rice, Discernment Coordinator ([email protected])
Canon Whitney helps you navigate the discernment and ordination process both spiritually and logistically. Your first meeting after gaining the support of your priest is to meet with her to share your sense of call to ministry. She will guide and support you all the way through your discernment until your eventual placement in lay or ordained ministry.
- Jillian Smith, Executive Assistant to the Bishop ([email protected])
Jillian is your partner in all things bureaucratic in the discernment process. She gets you enrolled in our online course platform where you will submit all your forms electronically, and she keeps the checklist of all your steps as you complete them. She helps you navigate and complete the paperwork all the way through your ordination certificate.
- The Rev. Anne Dieterle, Chair of the Commission on Ministry ([email protected])
Rev. Ann is your diocesan discernment partner in this process. Just as you completed a season of discernment with your congregation in your Congregational Discernment Committee (CDC), you will work with the Commission on Ministry to continue to hone and refine your call to ministry throughout your process. Just as your CDC listened for God's call through community at the parish level, COM listens to that call through community at the diocesan level.
- Lynette Ballard, Chair of the Diocesan Board of Examining Chaplains ([email protected])
Lyn is your partner for all things formation in the discernment and ordination process once you reach postulancy. As your call emerges, you will need to pursue education to equip you to fulfill it. That may take the form of a residential Episcopal Seminary, a local seminary such as Eden Theological Seminary, or hybrid in-person/distance learning through Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. Lyn helps you design your Formation Plan that will guide you through the education and equipping process.
Commission on Ministry
The Commission on Ministry, as outlined in National Church canons, is charged with assisting the Bishop “in determining present and future needs for ministry in the diocese”, “in enlisting and selecting persons for Holy Orders”, and making recommendations to the bishop.
The charge to the Commission includes guiding and examining postulants and candidates, assisting with ministry enrichment for deacons and priests, and helping to explore and implement ways in which the diocese may live out its baptismal ministries.
COM members
Clergy:
- The Rev. Dr. Paula Hartsfield (2026)
Grace Episcopal Church, Jefferson City - The Rev. Ann Dieterle, Chair (2025)
Calvary Episcopal Church, Columbia - The Rev. Deacon Barbi Click (2024)
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Carondelet/St. Louis - The Rev. Annette Joseph (2024)
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Sikeston
Christ Episcopal Church, Cape Girardeau - The Rev. Tom Albinson (2024)
The Episcopal Church of St. Michael & St. George, Clayton - The Rev. Renee Fenner (2023)
All Saints & Ascension, Northwoods
Lay:
- Alisa Williams (2026)
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, University City - Judy Hodge (2026)
Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Charles - Debbie Nelson Linck (2026)
Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis - Chris Kurth (2024)
Grace Episcopal Church, Kirkwood - Bren O’Conner (2023)
Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis - Rose Hayden (2023)
Calvary Episcopal Church, Columbia
Diocesan Board of Examining Chaplains (DBEC)
The Diocesan Board of Examining Chaplains is a committee appointed by the bishop to work with postulants to the priesthood to develop formation plans. These plans are individualized to the academic and spiritual needs of the postulant, so they can vary widely. DBEC is tasked with advising the Bishop, the Commission on Ministry and the Standing Committee that the postulant has made sufficient progress in his or her training to proceed on to candidacy and finally to ordination.
DBEC members
- Ms. Elizabeth Hines (2026)
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, University City - Mr. Bill Eldridge (2026)
Calvary Episcopal Church, Columbia - The Rev. Carrol Davenport (2025)
(Non-parochial) - Dr. Isaac Arten (2025)
The Episcopal Church of St. Michael & St. George, Clayton - Ms. Lynette Ballad (2023) -- Chair
Grace Episcopal Church, Kirkwood - Dr. Donna Hawk-Reinhard (2023)
The Episcopal Church of the Advent, Crestwood - The Rev. Susan Naylor (2024)
Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis - The Rev. Dr. Maria Evans (2024)
Trinity Episcopal Church, Hannibal
Canon for Evangelism & Discipleship Development
