The purpose of the Commission on Ministry is to advise and assist the Bishop in implementation of Canons as related to Ministry, in the determination of present and future opportunities and needs for the ministry of all baptized persons, and in the design and oversight of the ongoing process for recruitment, discernment, formation for ministry, and assessment of readiness. The Commission members are appointed by the Bishop and confirmed by the Diocesan Convention. The COM Chair is the Rev. Monica Burkert-Brist.

Circles of Light

​Ministry in the Episcopal Church

Ministry is reaching out to others with knowledge, love and passion in order to continue the reconciling work of Christ by building up the people around us and helping others to experience God's love.

• Ministry happens 24/7--coming from who we are as Christians and our desire to use our God-given gifts for God's mission
• Ministry enables the Kingdom of God to break into our everyday world through our actions, words, and choices as members of the Body of Christ.

According to our Catechism in The Book of Common Prayer, God's mission for the Church is " to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ" (BCP, 855). In the Episcopal Church, we believe we are being the church (doing the work of the church) when we live out our Baptismal vows:

• With God's help, I will continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.
• With God's help, I will persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
• With God's help, I will proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.
• With God's help, I will seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving my neighbor as myself.
• With God's help, I will strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.

*According to Title III of the Canons of the General Convention and the Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac

​Discernment for Ministry

We believe that all individuals, and all parishes, should be involved in discernment. As individuals, we seek to discern what our gifts are and how those gifts might be used for God's ministry---at church, at home, at work, and in the world. This discernment should lead us to ministry---lay or ordained. As parishes, discernment involved seeking to identify the gifts and resources we have as a community and how to utilize those gifts and resources in ministry with one another as well as how we use our gifts in ministry to those outside our parish walls. Discernment is meant to be an ongoing process in the lives of individuals and parishes.

Discernment Processes

Discernment processes involve the church as a whole, whether one is looking to be more intentional about their ministry as a lay person or seeking ordination as a deacon or priest. The Commission on Ministry has detailed a number of expectations for those in the discernment process.  A number of documents are available from the Commission to assist in this process including:

• A Parish Priests Role in Discernment (1 page)
• Circles of Light - Workbook Discernment Processes (64 pages)
• Discernment - Reading the Signs of Daily Life (8 pages)
• Expectations of Seekers and Facilitators in Discernment Process (3 pages)
• Press on the Kingdom - Priestly Ordination Process DioFDL (14 pages)
• Ordination Process Forms found here.

DeaconS School

For those considering the Vocational Diaconate, following the discernment process and approval as a Postulant, you will be able to enter Deacon School. ​Learn more about Deacons School here...