Development

The parish discernment process is part of the work of discerning a call to ordination; these books are available to help parish discernment committees look at the role of the layperson, the deacon, and the priest as they help listen for the applicant’s call.

The Diaconate: A Full and Equal Order – James M. Barnett, Trinity Press International; 1995, Revised Edition

Listening Hearts: Discerning Call in Community – Suzanne G. Farnham, et al, Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg, PA, 1991

Understanding the “call” of a Christian and discerning its response. 3 copies

Spiritual Wholeness for Clergy – Donald R. Hands and Wayne L. Fehr, Alban Institute, 1993

This book is subtitled: A New Psychology of Intimacy with God, Self and Others; it is intended to help clergy deal with being “human”, not super-human.

Bishop, Priest, or Deacon – Edwin M. Leidel

A discussion of the differing functions of the orders of clergy; 2 copies in binder

Let Your Life Speak – Parker J. Palmer; Jossey-Bass, San Francisco CA, 2000

Palmer helps us look at those things which lead us towards authentic living and understanding our calling. Brief, clear, and very helpful in reexamining how we are living our lives.

Do I Belong in Seminary? – Ronald E. Parker, Alban Institute, Washington DC

Looks at the “whys” of going to seminary and then at the “hows”; discusses a variety of reasons for entering seminary, as well as possible positions following seminary, insights provide helpful guidelines for deciding about seminary

Many Servants, An Introduction to Deacons – by Ormonde Plater, Cowley Publications, Cambridge MA, 1991

Many Servants, Revised Edition - 2004

An introduction to the history of deacons, and a discussion of their place in today’s church. 210 pgs, w/bibliography and index. 2 copies

Crossing the Jordan – Sam Portaro, Cowley Publishing, Cambridge MA, 1999

Servanthood: Leadership for the Third Millennium – Bennett J. Sims; Cowley Publications, Cambridge MA, 1997

A look at a new kind of leadership which helps facilitate the gifts of others; this leadership style is looked at in the church, business, and in the world.

Calling: A Song for the Baptized – Caroline A. Westerhoff, Cowley Publications, Cambridge, MA, 1994

A look at baptism, in the context of story, and understanding how each baptized person has a call of some kind from God. 2 copies

Discernment in Groups

Discernment may be used in a variety of group experiences of a congregation. Below are listed some materials we have available to help groups in various situations.

Vision Discernment – Thomas G Bandy

Turning Vision into Action – George Barna, Regal Books, Ventura CA; 1996

Listening Hearts Ministries – Ray Herman Ex Dir., Baltimore MD; 2005

This folder describes the various ministries of this group, all of which depend heavily on spiritual discernment. They do conflict resolution, vision casting, and group formation as well as teaching discernment.

A Hidden Wholeness, The Journey toward an Undivided Life – Parker J. Palmer, Jossey-Bass; 2004

Palmer talks about how easy it is for us to become “divided”; we feel one way inside but show a mask to the world. He shows how this come about and then talks about finding our true self in the presence of our peers, in a small community that is safe and faithful. He then discusses how powerful this wholeness can be in reaching out into the world.

Exploring Your Spiritual Journey – Whitaker School of Theology, Epis Diocese of Michigan; 2005

For those who seek a discernment process for their life, the Whitaker School in Detroit as developed a 9 month course to help people determine their gifts and how they might best be expressed. It is not only for those seeking an ordained ministry but also those who might find a better ministry as a lay person, living out the ministry of the baptized. For more information go to: www.whitakerschool.org

See also:

Development: Ministry of the Baptized

19 Gifts of the Spirit – Leslie B. Flynn, Cook Publishing, Colorado Springs CO

The author looks at the various gifts listed in the Bible and discusses if they may be used to day; he discusses the individual gifts within groupings, and concludes with discovering gifts.

The Thin Book of Appreciative Inquiry – Sue Annis Hammond, Thin Book Publishing, Plano TX

Appreciative Inquiry is a process to help a group build goals and objectives based on what works. The book gives an introduction to the process and tells where you can find follow up information. Training in this process can be acquired from the Episcopal Church Center/Children’s Ministries Group. (3 copies available)

For more information or to borrow a particular item, contact Marnie Bash,

Coordinator, Ministries Resource Center: mpbash@ameritech.net or 989-839-9364.

If you are a member of the Diocese of Eastern Michigan, you may contact directly the listed church,

or, for items found at the Diocesan Center, Saginaw, contact Marnie Bash as listed above.