Ordination or Incardination into The Church of the Risen Christ
We offer a home for churches, clergy, and other ministries who want to affiliate with a continuing movement toward the renewal of the old paths.
Ordination
Vocations & Formation
Below, we offer for your consideration, an outline of the steps in the process to becoming ordained to the Holy Order of Deacons or the Sacred Order of Priests.
VOCATION
Vocation or a call to ordained life starts with a person hearing or sensing that God is calling him or her to seek a more intimate and deeper relationship with Him?
Isaiah 43:1
… I have called you by name, you are mine.
DISCERNMENT
Once a candidate has accepted that they have a vocation, a period, often referred to as Discernment, follows. This is a marked period of time in which the candidate evaluates several aspects of religious life under the guidance of a Spiritual Advisor. Should the candidate so choose, postulancy follows.
Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.
POSTULANCY
EVERY step is taken to insure that a candidate is well paired with the community they intend to join. A Postulant is a person who has been accepted by the bishop as a candidate for ordination, and is in the process of being trained.
1 Timothy 5:22
Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily & thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.
LICENSED LAY READER
A licensed lay reader or lay minister is a person authorized by a bishop in the Anglican Communion to lead certain services of worship, to preach, and to carry out pastoral and teaching functions. They are formally trained and admitted to office, but they remain part of the laity, not of the clergy.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.
TRANSITIONAL DIACONATE
A category of clergy who are ordained deacon in preparation for being ordained priest. Clergy in the transitional diaconate tend to spend up to six months serving as deacons, after which ordination to the priesthood takes place following further review and inquiry.
PERMANENT DIACONATE
A category of clergy who are ordained as deacons and intend to remain as deacons for the rest of their lives, without being further ordained to the priesthood. Such people recognize their vocation to be that of ministry and service, rather than presiding.
Acts 13:3
Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
ORDINAND
A person who is in the process of being ordained. Preparation is done, and the day of ordination has arrived. Before, during, and after the liturgy, the brand new, freshly robed priest is correctly called an “ordinand.”.
Acts 6:6
And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.
If you would like to write to us about your vocation or the formation process, please contact us and request an Ordination Packet.
Incardination
The Church of the Risen Christ welcomes clergy who feel called to continue their ministry within our community through the process of incardination.
Incardination is the formal recognition and reception of a cleric into the life, ministry, and jurisdiction of the Church. It establishes a mutual relationship of trust, accountability, and shared mission.
Who Is Incardination For?
Incardination is open to:
Deacons, priests, and bishops validly ordained within apostolic succession
Clergy from Old Catholic, Independent Catholic, Anglican, or other sacramental traditions
Those seeking a church that reflects both catholic tradition and inclusive practice
Each enquiry is considered individually, with care and discernment.
Our Approach
We approach incardination as a process of mutual discernment — not simply a transfer of status, but a shared commitment to ministry and mission.
We seek clergy who:
Are committed to sacramental and pastoral ministry
Uphold the values of inclusion, respect, and integrity
Are willing to serve collaboratively within the life of the Church
The Incardination Process
1. Initial Enquiry
Begin by contacting us and completing an application packet of your background, ministry, and sense of calling.
2. Documentation
You will be asked to provide:
Evidence of ordination (certificates and lineage where possible)
A curriculum vitae or ministry résumé
References
A letter of release (excardination) from your current jurisdiction, where applicable
3. Discernment & Conversation
You will meet with a bishop or designated representative to:
Reflect on your ministry and calling
Discuss expectations and responsibilities
Explore alignment with our ethos and practice
4. Safeguarding & Review
All applicants undergo appropriate safeguarding checks and a formal review process to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our communities
5. Reception
If discernment is positive, you will be formally received (incardinated) into the Church of the Risen Christ.
This may include:
A liturgical act of reception
The granting of faculties to minister
Appointment to a ministry context where appropriate