The ministry of all Priests grows out of and is shaped by the ministry of Deacon. All Priests are first ordained Deacon and remain a Deacon for the duration of their ministry, but some are called more specifically to the Priesthood, to preside over the sacraments of the church, to absolve and bless God’s people in Christ’s name, and to lead them in worship.
Some priests are called to be incumbents (perhaps you may associate this with hearing the word ‘vicar’). This is a call to lead the Church as the Body of Christ in ensuring that there is Christian presence in every community where disciples are nurtured in order to be sent out as active disciples in the world so that they are equipped to introduce more people to Jesus and work for justice in our communities.
Priest incumbents have a particular responsibility for teaching, leading and guiding the church and to ensure the Church is a good steward of its people, places and finances. Priests enable the sacramental ministry of the Church including presiding over the Eucharist. They are committed to continual learning and engagement with the bible and theology, and to be sustained by a disciplined life of prayer.
Priest incumbents usually have oversight responsibility for a particular parish, church or group of churches. They may also be appointed to specific responsibilities in a focussed area of mission.
Incumbents have both the passion and the skill to lead the Church in its life and mission, to ensure good governance and to work creatively to make ambitious plans for mission. They focus on building up the disciples of the church to enable them to witness to the hope of Christ in all of their places of connection in their daily lives, whilst also inviting more people to be introduced to Jesus, to become part of a discipleship journey within a worshipping community. Incumbents have a particular responsibility for enabling a deepening of discipleship and as part of this nurturing and supporting Christian leaders in and beyond the Church.
