Guide for prospective clergy.
Men may become clergy of the Anglican Episcopal Church International by one of two routes. In either case the Communion will not incardinate nor ordain women as deacon or priest, but appropriately qualified women may become a member of the ancient historic order of Deaconess. Both men and women are warmly welcome to apply to become Lay Readers. The Communion greatly values the contribution of women to lay ministry. The Communion will not incardinate nor ordain any practising homosexual into Holy Orders.
Incardination
Clergy of any other Episcopal church in the Apostolic Succession may apply for Incardination into the Communion. They will be required to complete the specified Application Form, provide certified-true copies of all their relevant academic and ordination credentials, and have Police Child Protection clearance. They will be required to provide a statement of their current ministry and ministry history, and will be interviewed by the Director of Ordinands or by a bishop as may be decided.
There are a substantial number of American based web-site 'churches' which offer ordination credentials upon payment of a fee. Whilst they may be legal in America, none of these certificates constitute ordination in the Apostolic succession, and will not be accepted by the Communion. The purported use of any such credentials by clergy of the Communion is expressly forbidden as being likely to bring the Communion into disrepute.
Ordination
Men seeking ordination to the diaconate will be required to complete the specifiedcredentials. They will be required to provide a statement of any current ministry or ministry history in the laity, and will be interviewed by the Director of Ordinands or by a bishop as may be decided.
Age or disability is not a disqualifying factor in any case. There is no upper age limit for ordination. The call to Orders is the work of the Lord; the Communion will not interfere with that by applying any non-spiritual considerations. Some of our clergy have serious health issues and yet carry out active and fulfilling ministries. The Communion actively supports the principles of the Disability Discrimination Act.
Every application will be judged on its merits with the help of God. However, most applicants to the Communion have a history of academic and/or ministry achievements upon which to draw. The AEC makes no specific demands upon potential ordinands in respect of their academic achievements, as we recognise the value of experience, which, if substantial, may be a suitable alternative. Our clergy come from every conceivable background, Methodists, Baptists, Free Churches, the Church Army, and a number of former Church of England Readers.
Worker Priests
Most of the AEC clergy are engaged in secular employment to sustain their lives and their ministry. AEC clergy are non-stipendiary (unpaid) and therefore need to work just as any other person does for economic survival! AEC clergy so employed do not however "turn off" their clerical status when at work. Many are recognised as "unofficial" chaplains in their working environment, colleagues naturally turning to someone they know will listen or give advice in times of need.
Exactly because AEC clergy are themselves employed they more fully appreciate the stresses and strains of daily life for most people. The constant weighing up of priorities, home and work life balance and the constant struggle to "find time" for oneself or family or friends. However, despite this AEC clergy employ their spare time to facilitate their first vocation in life, the service of Christ and of His Church and to serve the servants of God.
AEC clergy by virtue of their being or having been "worker priests," possess various professional qualifications and experience gained in the world of work. Some are trained health professionals, others social workers, some teachers and others small business owners, some have even been publicans, military service personnel or funeral directors! An individual AEC priest may then be just as comfortable discussing the spiritual as the material problems of life providing a unique perspective on ministry that other mainstream clergy don't always possess.
Again because some AEC clergy work full time, their ministry to local congregations and the work of the Church locally is assisted by Lay Ministers. These may themselves be employed or retired but give of their time to assist the pastoral ministry of the church. Lay Ministry within the AEC is Licensed or Certificated depending on the extent of its support of the priest's ministry and the nature of the work.
Application Form
If you believe that God is calling you to the Sacred Priesthood, and you wish to test your vocation in the Anglican Episcopal Church International, please copy and paste the following application form, complete it fully and attach to an email to
The Metropolitan Archbishop Stuart Lawson at: [email protected]
Application for Ordination or Incardination into the Communion
The Anglican Episcopal Church International
Your Current Title & Full Name:
......................................................................................................................
Contact Address:...........................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
Tel: No:....................................
Email:.......................................
D.O.B.......................................
Place of Birth:................................
Marital Status..................................
University Degrees & Diplomas: ( Please give full title, name of academic institution,
and date of award. Please indicate if any degree is Honorary e.g. Hon DD. Please supply
clear photocopies of evidence of all qualifications. They will be checked out and
returned to you)
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
Other Professional Memberships & Qualifications (Please supply copies of appropriate Certificates)
.................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
Current Church Affiliation
.....................................................................................................................
Any Previous Church
.......................................................................................................................
Date & Place of Ordination as a Deacon: (if applicable)
........................................................................................................................
By Whom Ordained:
....................................................................................................................
Date & Place of Ordination as a Priest: (if applicable)
.........................................................................................................................
By Whom Ordained:
....................................................................................................................
Do you have any criminal convictions? (Note: This question is exempt from the
provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act as regards .spent. convictions. You
MUST disclose ALL criminal convictions. We require Date, Court, precise offence, and
sentence. We do not want to know about any motoring convictions EXCEPT
a) Any motoring offence during which your conduct resulted in the death of any person
b) Any offence of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs)
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(Appropriate Police checks etc will be required)
Have you ever been involved in any public scandal, or newspaper allegations? ( If you
have, it may well not disqualify you from ordination, but we need to know about it, and
do not want to hear about it from third parties. It is in your interests to tell us, and supply
press cuttings etc. It is for your protection and ours that we are fully informed.
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
Please provide us with a CV or resume of your career explaining what you do now.
Please provide us with a written account of what you feel to be the nature of your calling
to ministry in the Anglican Church. If you already have a ministry, please give us an account of it.
Please send this form together with copies of your Baptismal/Confirmation/Qualification certificates to:
Notes for Applicants:
1. Applicants are invited to visit the Anglican Episcopal Church International website at:
www.aeci.weebly.com before submitting their application. A completed
application implies that the applicant has read and accepts the Canons of the
Communion.
2. The Anglican Episcopal Church International does not ordain into Holy Orders women
or practicing male homosexuals under any circumstances. Appropriately qualified women
may be admitted to the Order of Deaconesses.
3. A copy of the Application form will be forwarded to the Metropolitan Archbishop for
reference and information. Incomplete forms will not be processed.
4. Any application which is found to contain any false statement by the applicant will be
automatically rejected.
5. Application for ordination is a serious matter, and should only be undertaken after
much prayer and reflection. You are undertaking a journey which will not be easy, and
during which God will impose many trials upon you spiritually and emotionally.
We uphold you in prayer at this time.
God bless you as you seek His will for your life.
Men may become clergy of the Anglican Episcopal Church International by one of two routes. In either case the Communion will not incardinate nor ordain women as deacon or priest, but appropriately qualified women may become a member of the ancient historic order of Deaconess. Both men and women are warmly welcome to apply to become Lay Readers. The Communion greatly values the contribution of women to lay ministry. The Communion will not incardinate nor ordain any practising homosexual into Holy Orders.
Incardination
Clergy of any other Episcopal church in the Apostolic Succession may apply for Incardination into the Communion. They will be required to complete the specified Application Form, provide certified-true copies of all their relevant academic and ordination credentials, and have Police Child Protection clearance. They will be required to provide a statement of their current ministry and ministry history, and will be interviewed by the Director of Ordinands or by a bishop as may be decided.
There are a substantial number of American based web-site 'churches' which offer ordination credentials upon payment of a fee. Whilst they may be legal in America, none of these certificates constitute ordination in the Apostolic succession, and will not be accepted by the Communion. The purported use of any such credentials by clergy of the Communion is expressly forbidden as being likely to bring the Communion into disrepute.
Ordination
Men seeking ordination to the diaconate will be required to complete the specifiedcredentials. They will be required to provide a statement of any current ministry or ministry history in the laity, and will be interviewed by the Director of Ordinands or by a bishop as may be decided.
Age or disability is not a disqualifying factor in any case. There is no upper age limit for ordination. The call to Orders is the work of the Lord; the Communion will not interfere with that by applying any non-spiritual considerations. Some of our clergy have serious health issues and yet carry out active and fulfilling ministries. The Communion actively supports the principles of the Disability Discrimination Act.
Every application will be judged on its merits with the help of God. However, most applicants to the Communion have a history of academic and/or ministry achievements upon which to draw. The AEC makes no specific demands upon potential ordinands in respect of their academic achievements, as we recognise the value of experience, which, if substantial, may be a suitable alternative. Our clergy come from every conceivable background, Methodists, Baptists, Free Churches, the Church Army, and a number of former Church of England Readers.
Worker Priests
Most of the AEC clergy are engaged in secular employment to sustain their lives and their ministry. AEC clergy are non-stipendiary (unpaid) and therefore need to work just as any other person does for economic survival! AEC clergy so employed do not however "turn off" their clerical status when at work. Many are recognised as "unofficial" chaplains in their working environment, colleagues naturally turning to someone they know will listen or give advice in times of need.
Exactly because AEC clergy are themselves employed they more fully appreciate the stresses and strains of daily life for most people. The constant weighing up of priorities, home and work life balance and the constant struggle to "find time" for oneself or family or friends. However, despite this AEC clergy employ their spare time to facilitate their first vocation in life, the service of Christ and of His Church and to serve the servants of God.
AEC clergy by virtue of their being or having been "worker priests," possess various professional qualifications and experience gained in the world of work. Some are trained health professionals, others social workers, some teachers and others small business owners, some have even been publicans, military service personnel or funeral directors! An individual AEC priest may then be just as comfortable discussing the spiritual as the material problems of life providing a unique perspective on ministry that other mainstream clergy don't always possess.
Again because some AEC clergy work full time, their ministry to local congregations and the work of the Church locally is assisted by Lay Ministers. These may themselves be employed or retired but give of their time to assist the pastoral ministry of the church. Lay Ministry within the AEC is Licensed or Certificated depending on the extent of its support of the priest's ministry and the nature of the work.
Application Form
If you believe that God is calling you to the Sacred Priesthood, and you wish to test your vocation in the Anglican Episcopal Church International, please copy and paste the following application form, complete it fully and attach to an email to
The Metropolitan Archbishop Stuart Lawson at: [email protected]
Application for Ordination or Incardination into the Communion
The Anglican Episcopal Church International
Your Current Title & Full Name:
......................................................................................................................
Contact Address:...........................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
Tel: No:....................................
Email:.......................................
D.O.B.......................................
Place of Birth:................................
Marital Status..................................
University Degrees & Diplomas: ( Please give full title, name of academic institution,
and date of award. Please indicate if any degree is Honorary e.g. Hon DD. Please supply
clear photocopies of evidence of all qualifications. They will be checked out and
returned to you)
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
Other Professional Memberships & Qualifications (Please supply copies of appropriate Certificates)
.................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
Current Church Affiliation
.....................................................................................................................
Any Previous Church
.......................................................................................................................
Date & Place of Ordination as a Deacon: (if applicable)
........................................................................................................................
By Whom Ordained:
....................................................................................................................
Date & Place of Ordination as a Priest: (if applicable)
.........................................................................................................................
By Whom Ordained:
....................................................................................................................
Do you have any criminal convictions? (Note: This question is exempt from the
provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act as regards .spent. convictions. You
MUST disclose ALL criminal convictions. We require Date, Court, precise offence, and
sentence. We do not want to know about any motoring convictions EXCEPT
a) Any motoring offence during which your conduct resulted in the death of any person
b) Any offence of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs)
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(Appropriate Police checks etc will be required)
Have you ever been involved in any public scandal, or newspaper allegations? ( If you
have, it may well not disqualify you from ordination, but we need to know about it, and
do not want to hear about it from third parties. It is in your interests to tell us, and supply
press cuttings etc. It is for your protection and ours that we are fully informed.
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
Please provide us with a CV or resume of your career explaining what you do now.
Please provide us with a written account of what you feel to be the nature of your calling
to ministry in the Anglican Church. If you already have a ministry, please give us an account of it.
Please send this form together with copies of your Baptismal/Confirmation/Qualification certificates to:
Notes for Applicants:
1. Applicants are invited to visit the Anglican Episcopal Church International website at:
www.aeci.weebly.com before submitting their application. A completed
application implies that the applicant has read and accepts the Canons of the
Communion.
2. The Anglican Episcopal Church International does not ordain into Holy Orders women
or practicing male homosexuals under any circumstances. Appropriately qualified women
may be admitted to the Order of Deaconesses.
3. A copy of the Application form will be forwarded to the Metropolitan Archbishop for
reference and information. Incomplete forms will not be processed.
4. Any application which is found to contain any false statement by the applicant will be
automatically rejected.
5. Application for ordination is a serious matter, and should only be undertaken after
much prayer and reflection. You are undertaking a journey which will not be easy, and
during which God will impose many trials upon you spiritually and emotionally.
We uphold you in prayer at this time.
God bless you as you seek His will for your life.
