Becoming a Minister

Subscribe to the SEEDS Newsletter

Candidating for Ministry

Period of Discernment

The first step for any person seeking to serve in ministry in the Uniting Church is to enter a Period of Discernment (POD). This time is exactly as it sounds – a time of listening to the guidance of the Spirit for the path ahead. 

During your POD, a mentor will work closely with you to help you with this process, and you will also be supported and encouraged by the Candidates for Ministries Committee. You may also do some courses and learn more about the ethos of the Uniting Church as a whole. 

UCA Ministries

Pastor

A pastor has a heart for people and a desire to nurture them and help them understand Christ’s love. In the Uniting Church, a pastor serves for a limited period in specific and often unique ministries, such as Pastor Lindsay Ginn who tells his story about his work as a bush chaplain – Ministry Expo: Pastor (YouTube)

Deacons

A Deacon is a person ordained to lifelong ministry to people on the margins. Deacons have a particular passion for being outward-looking and bringing their church and the local community together. Andy Broadbent shares what it means to him to be a Deacon in the Uniting Church – Ministry of Deacon–Andrew Broadbent (Vimeo)

Lay Preacher

Western Australia is a vast state with a diverse population. This means there often aren’t enough Ministers of the Word or Deacons to take God’s word to every congregation. Lay Preachers fill this incredibly valuable role. 

Minister of the Word

A Minister of the Word is an ordained person in life-long ministry who has the privilege of proclaiming God’s word and leading the church as it reaches out to others. They work with the people in the congregation and encourage them – in all of their uniqueness – to grow and be God’s people. 

To find out more about being a Minister of the Word, watch this video featuring Rev Lorraine Stokes: Ministry Expo: Ministry of the Word (YouTube)

Ministers from other Denominations

Are you a minister from another denomination who is considering joining the Uniting Church? Hear the story of Rev Hannes Halgryn, who made the transition to being a Uniting Church Minister of the Word after 26 years of ministry in another denomination – Ministry Expo: Changing Denominations (YouTube)

Resources

We’d love to help you explore your ministry journey! Also, please check out our Called by Name booklet:

Want to know more?

If you would like to know more about a Period of Discernment or any of the ministries listed above, please email:

Candidates for Ministries Committee
E: candidates.ministry@wa.uca.org.au

I'm looking for...