“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit.” (John 15:16)

Whether you have been called by God, or have been called and ordained in another tradition, we encourage you to start here.

What to Expect?

The call to ordained ministry is both a gift and a burden, both a joy and a responsibility. From the beginning, God has chosen unlikely people to bear witness to His love: fishermen, tax collectors, prophets who doubted themselves, apostles who had once been enemies of the Church. None were perfect, yet all were called.

The Holy Catholic Church of the Gospels believes that this same call continues today. Ordination is not a prize for the worthy, nor a reward for the learned, but a recognition of God’s initiative. To be ordained is to be set apart for the service of Christ and His people: to proclaim the Gospel, to administer the sacraments, to care for souls, and to shepherd the Church in love and truth.

We also acknowledge that ministry is demanding. Those who pursue it should do so prayerfully and with sober understanding. To be ordained in the HCCoG is to accept:

• A life of service, not self-promotion.
• A responsibility to preach Christ faithfully, even when the message is unpopular.
• A commitment to uphold the dignity of every human being, as bearers of the image of God.
• A willingness to be held accountable by the Church, for the sake of protecting the flock entrusted to your care.

It must also be said plainly: ordained ministry in the HCCoG is not a path to wealth. Our clergy do not serve for profit or prestige, but out of obedience to Christ’s call. While some ministers may receive small stipends or support in the future, the expectation of financial gain must never be the reason one seeks ordination. Ministry is, at its heart, sacrificial love—giving of one’s time, energy, and gifts without expectation of earthly reward.

Ordained ministry is not for everyone. It is for those in whom the Spirit has planted a fire that cannot be ignored. If you sense that fire, the Church invites you to step forward and enter a process of discernment. We do not promise ease, but we do promise support, prayer, and fellowship as you walk the path Christ lays before you.

How do I know if this is for me?

Discerning a vocation to ordained ministry is rarely simple. Some hear God’s call in a sudden moment; others discover it gradually, like a whisper that grows louder over time. The truth is that most people who are called to ministry feel unworthy of it—and that humility is itself a sign of God at work.

You may be called to ordained ministry if:

• You feel a persistent tug on your heart that cannot be ignored.
• You find joy in prayer, scripture, and serving others.
• Others in your community recognize spiritual gifts in you and encourage your leadership.
• You are willing to sacrifice comfort, wealth, and popularity for the sake of the Gospel.
• You can embrace accountability, knowing that you will be held to a higher standard of love, integrity, and service.

Being called does not mean being flawless. The Church does not expect perfection, but faithfulness. As our doctrine teaches, God does not distinguish between the “morally pure” and the “morally impure” when calling servants. Instead, God equips those He calls, giving them the gifts they need to serve.

If you read these words and feel both a longing and a trembling, do not dismiss it. That stirring in your spirit may be the Holy Spirit. The next step is not to decide alone, but to enter discernment with the Church, where prayer, study, and guidance will help you test and confirm whether the call is truly from God.

Our Legate’s Story

I have often heard other ministers say, “I knew from an early age that I was called.” I used to envy that certainty, because it was never my story. I did not know what God expected of me. There were moments when I sensed His pull toward ministry, but never in a way I could name with confidence.

What others saw in me was often clearer than what I saw in myself. People told me I was approachable, that I helped them, that I could explain scripture in ways that made sense. In my early teens I even ran a small online site where I posted sermons on Gospel passages. My youth pastor was impressed by my grasp of Christian principles. But it was my sermons on inclusion and acceptance that drew a sharp line between me and my church leadership.

I preached that the Gospel Christ loved everyone, without condition. They preached a Christ who praised the “saints” and condemned the “sinners.” My views were branded “radical.” Eventually, the church and I parted ways. That was very painful; I had been baptized as an infant there and believed I was loved unconditionally there. Growing up, I had been taught that pastors speak for God. So, when those same pastors turned on me with hellfire and brimstone, I fell away not only from the church but from God Himself. I realized in one afternoon that I was loved only as long as I preached and ministered their brand of Christianity.

For years, I wandered in that wilderness. I became a pagan high priest and was respected in those circles for my leadership and teaching. Yet even there, God never left me. His voice began to stir in my heart, tugging me back toward Him and toward ministry. I could not escape it.

In 2017, I responded to that call and was ordained. I have not turned back since. Along the way, God has taught me a few immutable truths:

• God does not need a single human voice to speak for Him. He is perfectly capable of speaking on His own.
• No cleric, no matter how learned, no matter how devout, is qualified or worthy of ministry on their own merit. It is God who calls, God who qualifies, and God alone who determines worthiness.

If you are discerning your own path, remember this: every act of ministry represents Christ Himself. What you do with that responsibility can either help or harm not only the reputation of the Church, but the witness of Christ to the world.

In the end, we will not be judged for loving too much, but for loving too little.

Theology of Calling & Requirements for Ministry

The Holy Catholic Church of the Gospels holds that ordination begins not with human ambition, but with God’s call. From scripture we learn that Christ called apostles not for their perfection, but for their willingness to follow. Paul himself, once the Church’s fiercest enemy, was transformed into its greatest missionary by Christ’s command. We dare not limit the Holy Spirit by saying who can or cannot be called.

What We Believe About the Call

• The call is God’s initiative. No person earns it by study, virtue, or lineage. It is God who chooses, and the Church who discerns.
• The call is tested in community. A vocation must be discerned with prayer, counsel, and the witness of the Church.
• The call is to service. Clergy are not set apart for power or wealth, but for sacrifice: to preach Christ, to care for souls, and to administer the sacraments faithfully.
• The call is inclusive. God calls men and women, young and old, LGBTQ+ and straight, rich and poor alike. We affirm that God’s Spirit is poured out on all flesh (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17).

Requirements for Ordination

Those seeking ordination in the HCCoG must:

1. Demonstrate Baptism & Confirmation – We require that clergy be baptized Christians and confirmed in the faith, whether in the HCCoG or another apostolic church.
2. Discernment Period – Candidates begin with prayer and spiritual direction, testing the authenticity of their call.
3. Formation & Study – This may include formal theological training, local mentorship, or self-study, depending on resources. The Church provides alternative pathways for those without access to seminary.
4. Examination – Candidates must show understanding of scripture, sacraments, doctrine, and pastoral care.
5. Maturity & Character – While none are perfect, candidates must be of good character, able to be trusted with the care of souls, and committed to ongoing learning and accountability.

What Ordination Is Not

• It is not a guarantee of financial support. Ordained ministry in this Church is an act of service, not a career.
• It is not a badge of superiority. All Christians share the priesthood of believers; ordination is simply one particular way of living that out.
• It is not about power. Christ’s command is clear: “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43).

If You Believe You Are Called

If you have read this and felt a stirring in your heart, do not ignore it. The voice of God often comes as a whisper—gentle, persistent, and impossible to silence. You do not need certainty to take the next step; you need only faith that God is speaking and a willingness to listen.

For Those Discerning Ministry for the First Time

• Pray daily for clarity. Ask God to guide your heart, and to confirm His call through scripture, prayer, and the voice of the Spirit.
• Reach out to the Church. Share your sense of calling with us. You may write to [email protected] or use the form below to begin a confidential conversation.
• Enter into discernment. The Church will walk with you—listening, asking questions, and helping you test whether this call is truly from God.

For Clergy Seeking a New Home

Some of you have already been ordained elsewhere. Perhaps you left your church because of exclusion, abuse of authority, or a loss of integrity in leadership. Perhaps you were cast aside for preaching the Gospel of love too boldly. Whatever your story, know this: your call is not revoked.

The HCCoG believes that ordination is an indelible mark of God’s call, not a license that one institution can grant or revoke at will. If you have been validly ordained, the Church will honor your past ministry while also inviting you to enter discernment with us—to ensure that your gifts, your faith, and your story find a faithful home in this community.

One Church, One Mission

Whether you are just beginning to discern or you have carried the weight of ministry for years, the HCCoG invites you to join in the labor of the Gospel. We are building a Church that is Catholic in spirit, inclusive in practice, and faithful to Christ’s radical love.

The path may not be easy, but you will not walk it alone. The Holy Catholic Church of the Gospels is committed to supporting, equipping, and encouraging all whom God calls.

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37–38).

If your heart burns at these words, then take courage. Reach out. The journey begins with a single step.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

The call of God is never meant to be carried alone. Whether you are beginning to discern ministry for the first time, or you are a seasoned cleric seeking a new home, we want to walk with you.