Ordination and Incardination, Lay work and serving.
All of us have a vocation. For some of us, that vocation may take on the expression of ordained Christian ministry, for others, it may be expressed in practical service. This page aims to assist those who are interested in the further discernment of their vocation in the Old Catholic Apostolic Church (OCAC).What sort of person is eligible?
The Church ordains both men and women to Holy Orders equally, does not discriminate on the grounds of sexuality or marital status, and does not require celibacy from its clergy. There is no upper limit for the age of ordinands and It affirms the ministry of people with disabilities.
The Church respects that its clergy may hold different opinions on issues of theology and ministry. However, all members must be actively accepting of the liberal ethos of the Church and the spiritual foundations established in its Canons.
The clergy is composed of extremely varied individuals. There is no one "type" to conform to, and indeed the diversity in the clergy reflects the diversity of God's creation. Anyone genuinely serving a call to follow Christ can apply to serve in OCAC, whether through traditional ordained ministry, pastoral serving or religious meditation and prayer. They are people who are rightly respected by society, and society in turn has a right to expect that a clergyperson will conduct him or herself with integrity.
Why seek ordination in a church like OCAC?
After all, anyone can just 'be' a Christian and just serve as God calls them, and some are 'independent ministers'. This has happened since the earliest times, but there is no 'framework' or expected standards nor discipliniary guidance. OCAC is a legally registered corporate entity whose purpose is the advancement of religion. Members of the church strive for best practice, have codes of conduct to follow and the support of their peers when things go right or when things do not go as intended.
All applicants must be fully self-supporting. The Church does not pay stipends to clergy or cover their expenses. All clergy are unpaid, voluntary and non-stipendary. Most of our clergy support themselves through a combination of ministerial and secular work, although a few do support themselves through full-time ministry.
Incardination
Men and women who have been previously ordained in a Christian church may apply for incardination to the Church. As a dispersed church operating in many countries, it is an online procedure. The procedure is as follows:
- completion and submission of the application form according to the instructions on the form
- submission of copies of all certificates of ordination and postsecondary academic study, including formal and informal theological training.
- submission of a criminal record clearance (in the UK, this means a CRB or Police National Computer check; a different procedure applies to oversees applicants)
- submission of Letters of Excardination or proof of leaving the previous church, unless dual serving applies.
- Recent photograph clearly showing the face, and pictures in a ministerial setting if avaliable.
OCAC does not micro-manage her clergy or their ministries, allowing freedoms for each member of clergy to exercise their ministry in accordance with their relationship to Christ. The church does though act as 'standards body' leading and guiding each minister and providing a framework for continuous improvement and a positive discipliniary procedure.
The Church does not accept ministerial credentials from internet-based churches or similar that offer "instant ordination" or ordinations that are 'purchased' as fulfilling the requirements for incardination, regardless of their legality or the genuineness of the ministry of the person concerned.
Ordination
Men and women who have not been previously ordained may apply for ordination in the Church. The online procedure is as follows:
- completion and submission of the application form according to the instructions on the form
- submission of copies of all certificates of postsecondary academic study, including formal and informal theological training if any
- submission of a criminal record clearance (in the UK, this means a CRB or Police National Computer check, for oversees candidates a different procedure applies)
- Recent photograph clearly showing the face, and pictures in a ministerial setting if avaliable.
- A description of any church membership or helping out or serving no matter how small.
OCAC uses a system of minor orders as well as Holy (or major) orders. This is where candidates advance towards Holy Orders in stages, but all the while are able to exercise a real and proper ministry as they learn. It also means that those who desire only 'lay' serving can advance to, say Reader and then progress no further, or stay at that level for as long as they like before advancing again. It also means that every priest is still a deacon too, and every deacon is still a reader too and so on.
The Church practices ordination in the Apostolic Succession through the laying on of hands by a bishop in a public, open service. Upon ordination, documents from the Old Catholic Apostolic Church will be issued to show proper and official authorisation as clergy of OCAC.
OCAC does not micro-manage her clergy or their ministries, allowing freedoms for each member of clergy to exercise their ministry in accordance with their relationship to Christ. The church does though act as 'standards body' leading and guiding each minister and providing a framework for continuous improvement and a positive discipliniary procedure.
Lay work and serving
Many people do not feel called to the ordained ministry for any number of reasons and OCAC has numerous valuable and worthwhile roles for those in this position. In this instance a candidate applies using the application form as above, and a ministry plan is developed, any training need identified and the applicant is admitted to a minor order and their 'lay' serving commences. Their ministry is authorised by the church but again, they have the freedoms to express that ministry as God calls.
