Ordination in General

Selection for ordination is based on discernment about the call, spiritual and psychological fitness, and academic and ministerial preparedness. The Eglise Gnostique retains the Apostolic Christian tradition of conferring Minor Orders - installation of qualified persons to various orders of spiritual service in the church prior to ordination to the deaconate and priesthood. These orders are Cleric, Doorkeeper (Porter), Lector, Exorcist and Acolyte which are conferred under the auspices of our Religious Orders for women and men mentioned in the section on 'community'.

Persons who have not previously been in another Apostolic Church's seminary program are received into the Theological Institute program through the reception of the order of Postulant. This “postulant period” is intended to be principally one of discernment, but also of familiarization with our particular spiritual tradition and the community which we serve.

Previous formal installations in related churches, particularly in the capacity of lay-reader, Eucharistic minister or acolyte, are honored. The other minor orders may be conferred at appropriate stages of training, upon approval by the seminarian's mentor and the Director.

The order of sub-deacon is retained as a transitional period both for those who will be continuing on to Major Orders, and for those who may require or request additional time for discernment.

Major Orders including the Orders of Deacon, Priest and Bishop:

Candidates for Major Orders must possess a sincere commitment to the French Gnostic Tradition and must be determined to exercise a pastoral ministry and to participate in administering the sacraments on a regular basis.

Deacons are ordained both for permanent, vocational diaconal service and as transitional deacons who are continuing in their training towards ordination to the priesthood. Deacons see their chief vocation as witness to service. This is the core ordained function - that which forms the basis for all the Holy Orders. In additional to their public social service, deacons also preside at weddings, funerals and vespers services, and may be licensed to anoint the sick.

Candidates must be over 25 years of age, baptized and confirmed members of the church before being ordained to the Major Order of the Priesthood. Ordination to the priesthood is for those persons called to public liturgical leadership along with their diaconal service, including presiding at the celebration of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) and conferring of blessings and absolution, as in the sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing.

Bishops are elected by the clergy and lay leaders of the Church for the service of pastoring the Church through administration, spiritual support of its ministers, teaching and public representation, and ordaining of new clergy. We hold to the tradition of election to the episcopacy by bull of election signed by three recognized bishops in good standing in order to be considered valid.

All clergy in the Eglise Gnostique are responsible for their own decision-making and growth. Each clergy person is to be self-supporting in employment, with areas of ministerial involvement prayerfully discerned in collaboration with the senior clergy of the church. Clergy are expected to maintain open and cordial communications with one another and the bishops, and to seek professional assistance when needed. Clergy are to express a public presence that is in harmony with the spiritual ideals of the Church. Spiritual growth through a life of prayer is paramount to ministerial life and witness.

Incardination

Clergy who are already ordained in other historical churches that have retained the Apostolic Succession may apply for transfer into the Eglise Gnostique. The initial process is the same as that for seminarians applying for admission. (See Selection of Candidates paragraph above).

Clergy who are approved by the initial screening are welcomed on a probationary basis into the Eglise Gnostique and given ministerial faculties under the supervision of a mentor. This is generally for a period of six months, at the end of which a formal evaluation dialogue is conducted.

Upon mutual agreement, the clergy person is then either released or welcomed into the public ministry of the Eglise Gnostique.