Call to Discernment

Discernment is the ability to judge well.  How good a judge are you?

For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.' - 1 Corinthians 1:19

In today's epistle, Paul cites a reference from Scripture, possibly from Wisdom or Proverbs,  that seems to be telling us that someone, maybe God, will make it hard for us to judge.

With the death this past week of Justice Antonin Scalia, our thoughts might turn to the process of discernment with respect to finding a replacement for him on the Supreme Court.

But I would like to focus on Spiritual Discernment, that process of discovering God's Call.

All Baptized Christians share a common calling, to "continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers," to "persevere in resisting evil," to "seek and serve Christ in all persons" and to "strive for justice and peace among all people."

We each play a unique role in that service, bringing our special gifts and talents to the fore, putting all the talents God has given us to work here on earth, in our daily lives, but at some point in our lives, we may feel called to do something else with our gifts, and that is when we need help.  We may not be a good judge of our own spiritual calling.

Within the Episcopal Church, the individual seeking greater insight into his or her calling is provided help on several levels. And the first step in the process is prayer.

Attempting to discern the will of God is risky and bold - just as saying the Lord's Prayer is "bold."  Therefore, discernment is, and should be, an exercise in prayer, careful listening or attentiveness, and patience.  In discernment we are listening and waiting to gain clarity about the nature of a particular person's calling from God.

All are called to ministry, but some may feel called to ordained ministry, and that is when the parish community comes together in the form of a discernment committee to help them listen and gain that clarity needed to move forward in the process.

The idea of putting one's fate in the hands of others can be disconcerting for one who feels called by God.  How can someone else know what I am hearing and feeling?

But that is the critical first act of humility in the process.  By offering to make oneself vulnerable to others, the individual demonstrates courage and a deeper understanding of the meaning of service within God's community.

Putting oneself in the hands of the parish discernment committee is like telling the ego, "Step aside, its God's time now."

So, it is clear that being asked to be on such a committee is an honor and a serious responsibility.  Ironically, those who feel worthy may not be and those who feel unworthy, may be perfect for the job.

Over the coming months, churches throughout our diocese and dioceses all over the world will be calling together members to participate in the process of discernment, for there are many who are called.  I ask your prayers for them and for all who feel called to serve, that they may come together prayerfully preparing to do the work of helping the called understand their calling.

I will be helping to form one of those committees and so we will revisit this process over the coming weeks and months.  Who knows, it may just help you decide to answer a call to serve in one way or another.  Let us pray about that.

More to come...