Priest of God Fr Norbert Jansen, and parishioners
Do you feel that God is calling you to the priesthood? Well, why not follow this call? Know one thing, however. If you take up the call to be a priest of God, do this wholeheartedly, with dignity and belief.
HOW TO BECOME A PRIEST
Step 1: Seek advice from another priest, someone you admire as a true ambassador of God. Find out what being a priest means, and decide if this is really what you want to do
Step 2: Attend church services regularly. Observe the duties of a priest; preaching the Word of God to the people of God, baptizing people into the community of Jesus, officiating at weddings and funerals. Realize that counselling people and their families forms part of being a good priest
Step 3: Seek ordination. Either apply to train for the priesthood through an accredited church, or apply for online ordination and become a priest. This enables you to start your ministry, and grow in knowledge and wisdom as your ministry in Christ grows with you
Step 4: Attend seminary, which is a school of learning for priests to learn to be effective ministers for Christ. You have a number of options:
- locate a school of theology - a seminary - in your area or online
- obtain a diploma of theology at a distance learning seminary or theological college
- obtain an honours degree, masters degree or doctorate in theology/spirituality
Advanced courses can be found at colleges and universities.
Step 5: Know your Bible. Many courses involve studying and interpreting the Bible, which is important to you as priest when you preach to the people of God. You need to know the Bible and the life-giving message of Jesus' love, wisdom and selflessness it contains.
Once you know the Bible well, you will be confident to give sermons to church members and people needing to hear the Word of God.
Step 6: Do a course in counselling. A good course in counselling will aid you to understand how to assist people with their lives, challenges and problems
Step 7: Internship. You will require experience to practise your ministry as priest effectively. Find out which charities in your area may need a minister, also hospitals are a good place to intern.
The hospital may be a good place to practise your counselling skills after you have done a good accredited training. Remember to gain all necessary permissions from authorities in any place you wish to minister.
Step 8: What is ordination? Ordination is the process whereby you commit yourself to the service of Jesus Christ in order to bring His good news to others as priest. This is a sacred calling; as we follow our sacred God. This means that we, as priests of God, must lead good lives.
The elements you need for ordination are;
1. Your personal call and conviction that Jesus Christ wishes you to seek ordination as priest in order to serve Him
2. You need training in order to be an effective priest.
DOWNLOAD "PRACTICAL HANDBOOK FOR THE PRIEST"
The following book is intended as a practical resource
for the priest. Clear guidance in sometimes
bewildering pastoral challenges can prove an
invaluable tool in the exercise of the priesthood.
Priests are needed on an ongoing basis, in order to
bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to all peoples
as He commanded. “Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
Name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit.” (Matt 28:19)
In this small book, you will find practical
guidelines to help those entrusted
with this sacred task. May the words
within these pages prove a blessing
upon the priestly road.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_JEo1vAsAPseEFoYXlfZ095dzg/view?resourcekey=0-1xAiiF5pU_WXnRrQBLlmxA
Photograph by Mr Sean Whittle
