Is God calling you to work within his church?
In one sense the answer to this question should be ‘yes’ for all Christian people.
But more specifically, some have a vocation (the word means ‘calling’) to the ordained ministry of the Church of England as a deacon or priest. This year in London we have over 120 ordinands (men and women preparing for ordination) of all ages and another 60 or 70 hoping to start their training in the coming academic year. Some are studying full-time at residential colleges, others are continuing in their regular employment while studying on a local course.
After ordination, many of our new clergy follow God’s call by expressing their ministry in their everyday work place as Self-Supporting Ministers (SSMs) or Ministers in Secular Employment (MSEs).
Yet others serve as chaplains in schools or colleges, prisons, hospitals and many other institutions. There are also some men and women who feel called to the Distinctive Diaconate and you can find out more about this at DACE.
There is a fairly long selection procedure to help you in making such an important decision. It is usually at least 18 months between first enquiring and starting your training which will generally last two or three years depending on age and experience. Nationally, Ministry Division looks after the 1400 Church of England ordinands and you will find much helpful information there.
You're never too young to be thinking about vocation and these pages are specially designed for younger enquirers.
Some may have a vocation to become a religious, to join a religious community and serve God and his church in that way. You will see something of the wide variety of orders here.
Or you may wish to join the 250 or so Readers and Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs)in the Diocese who are not ordained but spend three years in evening classes before being admitted to this ancient office.
We have a number of training agencies within the Diocese and looking at their web sites will also give you an insight into what is involved in preparing for ministry:
Oak Hill is a large full time training college;
St Mellitus College is an exciting new development that is drawing colleges and courses together across the London and Chelmsford Region offering training for the ministry and lay training in many new configurations.
Each Area has its own Director of Ordinands who can help you, but before you speak to them, you should simply talk to your parish priest or college chaplain. Of course it all begins with growing into the Christian faith and you will find stories and information about that on these pages of the Church of England website.
The Revd Prebendary 
is the Director of Ordinands for the Diocese and may be able to help with any particular question you might have.
