Do you feel a calling to some sort of ministry? Do you need help in discerning what that is? 

If you believe that God may be calling you to ordained or lay ministry, please contact the Director of Vocations Revd Canon Rachel Watts. Rachel works with a dedicated Vocations Team which helps with the discernment, selection, and training of ordained and licensed lay ministers.

Anyone is welcome to explore ministry in the Church, but we know that sometimes our own assumptions about what the Church might be looking for might prevent us from exploring our vocation. The Diocese of Manchester welcomes ministers, volunteers and priests from all backgrounds as we look to connect with people from the whole of society. If you would like to discuss your sense of calling or vocation or are seeking encouragement, please don’t hesitate to contact the Vocations Team.

Others may feel called to explore a different vocation, whether that be to support local projects, help at a night shelter, or a youth project in the community.

Training

Lay Ministry Courses

Foundations for Ministry is an exciting and vibrant course open to anyone active in church life who feels some sense of vocation or calling to Christian Ministry but needs some time and space to unpack what that might mean and look like. FFM is a part-time lay training course run by our diocese which is suitable for anyone who wants to serve God in the church and in the world. People may go on Foundations for Ministry to explore many different kinds of Christian ministry, which include but are not limited to:

• serving God where they are at work, in the family, in the community
• specific roles within the church
• ordained ministry
• licensed lay ministry (Readers, Church Army)

For more information, please contact: Jamie Mackenzie.

Stories

	Finding Hope Through God Karen Dean, Foundations for Ministry course participant and member of St James and Emmanuel, Didsbury, has been on a journey of transformation.
	Vocations Day 2025 On Saturday 8th February, people gathered at St Bride's, Old Trafford to explore a variety of lay and ordained ministries at the annual Vocations Day.
	A Return to Faith We caught up with Angela Pratt, a member of St Mary the Virgin, Leigh and participant in the Foundations for Ministry course to find out about her story of returning to faith and the impact this has had on her life.

Events

Ministry Exploration Group meetings

Is God calling you?

Not quite sure which way to go?

Why not join us for the Ministry Exploration Group?

Formerly known as the Vocation Support Group, the Ministry Exploration Group brings together people from across Manchester Diocese who are currently exploring vocation, providing a space to share experiences and support one another.

Meetings run from 7pm - 9pm, and are informal and welcoming. Sometimes the group will focus on specific topics, and at other times, it will simply be a space to reflect, ask questions, and share where you are on your journey. Whether you are currently exploring or exercising some form of ministry, or are just embarking on this journey of discovery and discernment, all are welcome.

If you would like any further information or have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Bishop’s Chaplain, Revd Canon Anne Edwards at bishopschaplain@manchester.anglican.org

Details of upcoming meetings can be found here:

Resources

Mentors

The Church of England can put you in touch with a mentor who you may find helpful if for are at any stage on the journey towards ordained vocations. A mentor is a knowledgeable friend to accompany you along the way. All the Mentors are volunteers who are passionate about supporting future clergy. Your Mentor will not be making decisions on your process or be your advocate. 

For more details and to apply for a mentor, visit the CofE website.

Spiritual Companions

Spiritual Companionship is a mutually enriching relationship where one person accompanies another on their spiritual journey, offering a sacred space for growth, reflection, and discernment. Rooted in deep and rich Christian traditions—such as Franciscan, Jesuit, Benedictine, and Quaker practices—spiritual Companionship is not about providing advice or ministry but about guiding the individual to notice and respond to God’s activity in their life. It is a process of walking alongside someone, helping them to grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ, focusing on God’s plan for their life. This one-on-one relationship involves attentive listening, prayer, vulnerability, and mutual learning, as the Spiritual Companion holds space for emotions, struggles, and challenges. The Holy Spirit is central to the process, guiding both Companion and pilgrim toward deeper understanding and transformation. Spiritual Companionship is a holistic, hospitable journey, marked by confidentiality, support, and challenge, where both parties commit to dedicated growth and the continuous unfolding of God’s presence. It is not a spiritual “gym” but a lifestyle that encourages true transformation and deeper connection with God.

Christian ministry is founded upon a life of prayer. God is ever doing new things, and without an openness to the Spirit, God’s purposes and blessings are in danger of passing us by. Not only that, Christian ministry is a weighty calling which may only be maintained in God’s strength and with the gifts of his refreshment. No doubt any Christian knows this; but in the midst of busy ministries, it is all too easy to focus upon the next deadline, pressurising time available for prayer. This is where many find a Spiritual Companion (or Spiritual Director) helpful. A Companion asks the questions, “How is your prayer life, and how might God be speaking to you today?” Through regular conversation, we discern what modes of prayer are most fruitful for us, and help us grow and deepen our relationship with God.

The details of any relationship with a Spiritual Companion are a matter of negotiation, such as the frequency and length of meetings. In our diocese, we are fortunate to have a number of Spiritual Companions willing to offer their services. Those wanting further information about these should contact the Bishop of Manchester’s Chaplain in the first instance at BishopsChaplain@manchester.anglican.org