New Horizons Church UK
Vocations
All are welcome to pursue a vocation within
NHCUK
We are here to help you pursue your
interest in ordained church ministry or religious life.
Is God calling you in a special way to come and follow?
Your response to God,
your joyful embrace of God's providential plan for you, is the very meaning of
life. God invites us to co-create our lives and bring them to their full
realization in our life's vocation, our joyful response to Christ's invitation
to live in complete freedom.
Pursuing a
vocation is often a difficult road, we are here to help you in your
discernment.
For many of us it
is difficult to answer our call to serve God, many of us may have tried the
traditional road
and may have been
turned down. This can often leave us with the qeustion of where to go
next.
New Horizons
Church UK offers an alternative to those who cannot pursue their calling through
more
traditional means.
New Horizons
Church UK is primarily a Tradional Sacremental ministry based on the Universal
Catholic/ Christian
Tradition.
The Office of Vocations exists to
promote, encourage, and help in the discernment process of individuals who sense
a call to Diocesan Priesthood, Consecrated Religious Life, or the Permanent
Diaconate. We are considered the official contact for those who feel called to a
ministry of 'Service' in the Church. Our goal is to help guide individuals in
their unique journey to hear the "Call" of God. We support discerning candidates
by providing the atmosphere and resources by which they can discern God's "plan"
for their lives. When a discerning candidate responds willingly, with full
freedom and knowledge in God's "plan", he/she ultimately finds the 'Joy',
'Peace', and 'Happiness' that God has had in store for him/her since the
foundation of the World.
Your first question at this stage may
be "how do i recognise my calling". The answer to this question is not always an
easy one.
There are many stages that we have to
go through to discern our call. This is a time of testing, to know where God
wants to place us
to do his work.
Today it is harder then in the past
to discover God's call. There are so many valuable ways that you can choose to
live your life. There are so many distractions that make it hard to hear God's
voice. Discerning a vocation is a challenge, no doubt about it. It can be
especially tough today because others, even parents and friends, may not be
encouraging or supportive. In the world of the Third Millennium, many are hungry
to find greater meaning in life, eager to discover some purpose for their life.
But God is calling you?
A vocation is
God's unique invitation, addressed to individual persons in which a free
response is expected. This response is not a single act, but a life-long
process, a journey of faith. We do not "have" a vocation; we discover how we
"are" our vocation as we journey through life led by the Spirit.
An
individual discovers their vocation at various stages of life and in
relationship with others:
-
when a person is loved and appreciated by others,
-
when the person is attracted by the example of others,
-
when the person becomes aware of the needs of others,
-
when the person prays and meditates on the word of God
As baptized Christians each of us are called to assist others to discover
their vocation as we have been assisted on our faith journeys. We are called to
help make others aware of their personal richness, talents and human value,
opening their eyes to the variety of lifestyles and then ministries within the
Church.
We are to assist the young and the not so young in their search
for who it is God wants them to be; to walk with them in faith, to pray with
them, to guide them, to help them become aware of God's loving presence in their
personal history in order that they might respond to the will/yearning of God in
their own regard.
Discernment
When discerning a vocation
there is always a confusion of options. Many things interest us.
Suggestion:
root out any interests that are "bad" or not of God, then with the remaining
good choices, seek out your dominant interest and pursue it.
The
decision making process is a complicated matter. There are many "layers" of
decisions that must be looked at. At the same time there are clues, "signs" that
are present to us.
Suggestion: follow the leads that are present
There
is very often uncertainty in the discernment process. At any one point in time
we only see partial glimpses, not the whole picture, therefore uncertainty
exists.
Suggestion: trust what is deepest in your heart.
In
discernment your decision will always meet a certain amount of inner resistance.
Resistance is a good sign. There is always risk when a person makes significant
decisions in his life. A person must have sufficient love in his heart to take a
significant risk.
Suggestion: reflect on what is the source of love in your
heart, where it is leading you, and how deeply it is present.
When
discerning your vocation, the road ahead will always remain a bit foggy. You
probably will not know with absolute certainty what lies ahead. The future will
always remain a bit hidden. Mystery and the unknown are part of everyone's
future.
Suggestion: take one step at a time. don't try to "figure out" in
exact detail your entire future.
The road ahead is not an easy one, but with
prayer and carfull guidance it will become easier.
The application process is not an easy one, it
is designed to be a trying process.
Each candidate for the Holy Orders through Ordination to the order
of Deacon and Presbyter will be required to complete a rigorous program of
preparation. This preparation will include required study in Holy Scripture,
Sacramental, Moral, and Systematic Theology, Christology, Church history,
Pastoral Care, etc. It will also require extensive supervised ministry and
personal spiritual development of the candidate. The Reformed Christian
Church International through its College of Bishops administers this program of
preparation in coordination with the candidate's assigned spiritual
director. This is not a degree program, but serves
solely to prepare clergy candidates for ordained ministry in the Reformed
Christian Church International. The Reformed Christian Church
International does not have a residential seminary program at this
time.
Minimum Requirements
·
Candidates for Deacon must be at least 21 years old, and have
received the Sacraments of Christian Initiation.
·
Candidates for Presbyter (priest) must be at least 25 years old,
have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders in the Order of Deacon and have
received the Sacraments of Christian Initiation.
·Duration of training
Applicants for Holy Orders can expect
to spend considerable time in preparation for ordination to facilitate both
factual and academic training, and mutual discernment of the true Will of God
for the candidate. The actual amount of time of preparation for each candidate
is in the discretion of the College of Bishops having jurisdiction and will be
influenced by a variety of factors.
Mutual Discernment.
While recognizing that the gifts of
the Holy Spirit are given to each according to the Spirit's Will, it is,
nevertheless, the duty of the Church to discern the Will of the Spirit for those
who may seek service to God through ordination. Thus ordination to the Sacrament
of Holy Orders is not a right that one receives by virtue of being a member of
the Church, nor is it given to everyone who asks for it. Rather, it is a
privileged gift of the Holy Spirit given on an individual basis (cf. 1
Corinthians 12, et al.).
Your Next
Step
contact
Rt Reverend Dr Khern S Oliver
on
bishop_oliver@nhcuk.co.uk
or
reverend_oliver@hotmail.co.uk
With the assistance of the Director
of Vocations, a candidate for the priestly formation program of NHCUK
engages in the following process
1. Completion of the "confidential"
application form. You must provide at least two photos which must be
countersigned.
2. An interview to be conducted either
in person or via Skype depending on location
3. A Essay detailing your spirtual
calling
4. A complete C.V.
5. Any certificates of ordination and
qualifications.
6. A second interview conducted either
in person or via Skype. During this interview we will discuss what you wish to
achieve.
7. Copies of Copy of Baptismal, First Communion,
Confirmation Certificates where appicable. Noone will be denied a vocation in
the absence of these.
8. A criminal records check
9. At least 6 references. one of which
may be a supporting partner or family member
10. A short exam or an essay may be
given.
11. Evidence must be given of a present
ministry or the willingness to form one.
On completion of the above and upon
approval you will be admitted as a Cleric and a Seminarian.
All positions offered are
non stipendiary meaning that all applicants must be finacially self
sufficient. Applcants may be (self) employed or in a postion where there
Parishes are able to support them.
Clergy are not required to be
celibate, married and single men alike are welcome to apply. There is no bar to
marriage post ordination to any of the degrees of Holy Orders. All clergy are
required to be chaste i.e. faithful to their partner, or modest in the
development of their personal relationships. Celibacy remains an option for
clergy i.e. to remain single and chaste, and many of our clergy live such a
consecrated life.
Those seeking incardination
must contact the Presiding Bishop of the given Jurisdiction. Those who
incardinated must go through a period of Probation.
The orders are as
follows
The
Deaconate
Permanent Deacons are fully "Clerics" of the
Church, that is they are Canonically bound in obedience to their Bishop and to
the recitation of the Divine Office. They are "officers" of the Church and as
such may hold positions of responsibility both locally within a Parish or
generally within the Diocese
TRANSITIONAL: Deacons ordained transitionally prior to
Priestly Ordination. NHCUK sees no distinction between the rights and
duties of Transistional and Permanent Deacons except the desire of the former to
receive Priestly Orders.
Transitional Deacons are expected to assist locally in
the Parish to which they belong or are put to serve until their Priestly
Ordination and may hold positions of authority locally in such circumstances. It
is unusual for Transitional Deacons to hold positions with Diocesan
responsibility prior to their Priestly Ordination
The
Priesthood
The
vocation of a Priest is to serve but also to lead, he shares particularly in the
Apostolic authority of the Bishop to teach, to forgive, to bless and to offer.
The Priest is both Deacon - server and Presbyter - priest; his
is a dual vocation to serve the Bishop and to share with the Bishop in
leading the people.
Too
often people mistake or misunderstand the nature and vocation of Priesthood. It
is not, as some people believe, to be "in charge"; a Priest's authority
comes from his Bishop, by sharing in the Bishop's authority he
has authority, but not his own authority only his Bishop's.
A
Priest is bound Canonically i.e. by the Church's Law, in obedience to
his Bishop; he cannot do anything without the Bishop's permission as it is the
sharing in his Bishop's ministry that he is able to celebrate the
Sacraments and most especially the Mass.
In
the ORCCE this understanding of Priesthood (as explained above) forms the
basis upon which we discern vocations to Priesthood. The length of time for
discernment and seminary study reflects the ongoing and careful discernment of
the Church and the Bishop as to the suitability of the candidate and his
understanding of priesthood. Committment and dedication to the ORCCE, to the
Church and primarily the Bishop, is what will decide whether a candidate is
Ordained or not to the Priesthood
Lay
minister
Nhcuk recognises the position of a Lay
minister. Examples of licensed lay ministry are Pastoral Worker,
Reader or permanent Sub-deacon other forms of lay ministry not requiring a
license but instead some training and a certificate include Hospital Visitor,
Christian Listening Counsellor, Sunday School Teacher and Parish
Catechetist.
No monetary
remuneration is offered for these posts either licensed or un-licensed however
some Congregations may cover a percentage of or all expenses. Essentially
lay ministry is voluntary and a gift of the persons own talents, abilities, time
and resources to expressing a more committed participation in the life of the
Church.
Licensed ministry
PASTORAL WORKER: Responsible for representing the church
or parish in home or health institution visitations, calls to new or potential
members, and other contacts involving care and support. May coordinate the
activities of lay volunteers or coordinate education or social out-reach
activities in support of the parochial clergy; a licensed lay minister of the
Church.
READER: A lay person authorised for the Church by
license of the Diocesan Bishop to assist in the liturgical reading of Scriptural
texts within the context of Divine Worship i.e. the Mass, Offices and Rites of
the Church.
SUB-DEACON (Permanent): A layman with a vocation
to serve the Church as a cleric (meaning he is bound by Canonical Law and the
recitation of the Divine Office) but not as a Sacred Minister (i.e. deacon or
priest) who assists in the celebration of the solemn offering of the Liturgy of
the Church (Mass, Offices and Rites) in the Sanctuary. A Sub-deacon may
also fulfil a pastoral role in the parish assisting the clergy as directed and
working alongside a Pastoral Worker sharing in pastoral provision. It is
his special prerogative to read/sing the Epistle at High Mass whenever it is
celebrated in the parish in which he resides and to assist in such capacity
around the Diocese when invited to do so. Is also permitted to administer the
Blessed Sacrament.
(Note: Transitional Sub-deacons are men in training
for the Sacred Ministry.)
Certificated Ministry
HOSPITAL VISITOR: A person who shares in the
pastoral provision of visits to members of the congregation who may be
hospitalised or generally as part of the parish’s outreach activities to visit
hospitals. They are to “befriend” the sick, visiting them regularly,
providing what assistance they can to make their stay in hospital comfortable
and endurable, to be a listener and to encourage their
wellbeing.
CHRISTIAN LISTENING COUNSELLOR: A specific
activity in some parishes providing a drop-in service to the public generally
for people who wish to know more about the Christian faith or who want to talk
and to share a problem with someone objectively. This ministry is
specialist in that certain courses must be completed. The role of a
Counsellor is not to give advice but to listen and perhaps assist the person to
find appropriate help from official and professional sources if necessary i.e. a
spiritual problem, crisis of faith etc they would direct the person to a cleric;
an employment, health or social problem they would refer them to the appropriate
public service provider, Housing Office, Jobcentre, Clinic
etc.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER: A person keen to assist in the
development of the Faith with children properly belonging to the Church i.e. the
children of parents who are members of the congregation. They inform the
young of the basic teachings of the Faith, familiarising them with various
expressions and practical aspects of the Faith and introducing and providing
familiarity with the Scriptures and story of the Church.
PARISH CATECHIST: A person who assists in the education
of young and mature adults in preparation for the reception of the Sacrament of
Confirmation. They may also assist in the provision of education for the laity
generally in coordinating, running and facilitating Study Groups and other such
activities designed to communicate the teaching of the Church and inform on the
responsibilities of Confirmed members of the Church and of the Faith
generally.
You are now ready to take
your next
step.
contact
Rt Reverend Dr Khern S
Oliver
Presiding
Bishop
on
bishop_oliver@nhcuk.co.uk
or
reverend_oliver@hotmail.co.uk
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