The Commission on Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane invites lay members of our parishes to consider serving on the Vocational Discernment Team. This vital ministry walks prayerfully alongside individuals discerning a call to ordained ministry, offering guidance, listening, and support throughout the process. Team members commit to confidentiality, unbiased listening, and prayer, and will receive training and ongoing support. Serving on the VDT is a meaningful way to nurture emerging leaders, support the life of the Diocese, and deepen your own faith journey. To learn more, contact the Diocesan Office, a member of the Commission on Ministry, or your parish priest.
Invitation to Join the Vocational Discernment Team
Commission on Ministry, Episcopal Diocese of Spokane
We are excited to extend an invitation for you to become a part of the Vocational Discernment Team within our Diocese. This important ministry plays a vital role in the spiritual life and future leadership of our church community.
The Vocational Discernment Team is dedicated to walking alongside individuals who believe they are being called by God to ordained ministry. Our role is to support, guide, and help these individuals discern how God is calling them to serve. This process is deeply rooted in prayer, reflection, and honest conversation, and it is essential for the health and vitality of our church’s mission.
This is a step along the way for those who are exploring their call to ordained ministry. It starts with conversation with the local priest and a conversation with Bishop Gretchen. If there is a sense of call, the participant (often called an aspirant) is invited into further discernment with a team made up of members of the VDT, as well as a participant from the local sponsoring parish. If the team believes the aspirant is called to ordained ministry, the aspirant then meets with the Commission on Ministry to further explore their calling.
If you feel called to help others explore their sense of vocation, we invite you to consider joining this team. Serving on the Vocational Discernment Team is a meaningful way to contribute to the life of our Diocese, nurture emerging leaders, and deepen your own faith journey.
We welcome members from all backgrounds and experiences who are committed to listening for God’s voice and supporting others in their spiritual journeys. Specifically, we are seeking VDT members who are active lay members of their parish churches and have a deep commitment to follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We ask for a commitment to unbiased listening with sensitivity and understanding, to maintaining confidentiality, and to praying for the aspirant through this process. Training, including information on the functional roles of priests, deacons and lay ministers, and ongoing support will be provided for all team members.
If you are interested or would like to learn more about what serving on the Vocational Discernment Team involves, please contact the Diocesan Office, a member of the Commission on Ministry, or speak with your parish priest. We look forward to discerning together how God may be calling you to this ministry.
In Christ’s service,
The Commission on Ministry
Current members include: The Rev. Kathy Lamphere, Chair; The Rev. Heather VanDeventer, Vice Chair; Kristin Keyes, Clerk; The Rev. Deacon James DeDeaux; The Rev. Kimmy Meinecke; The Rev. Chris Hagenbuch; Margaret Drumm, Taylor Mather; James Rosenzweig. Ex-Officio members are The Right Rev. Gretchen Rehberg and The Rev. Canon Susan Cleveley.