Exploring your vocation

Discover how to explore your calling to lay or ordained ministry or to the religious life in the diocese.

Welcome! Whatever stage of your journey, it is great to hear from you. You may have a clear idea of what God is calling you to, or you might just have an inkling or a ‘nudge’ from God. Vocation is the word we use when we talk about God calling us into a particular role.

How can we help you?

I want to…

Start my journey to lay ministry | Start my journey to ordination | Start my journey to the religious life | Explore lay training | Curate Vacancies

Submit a Vocations Enquiry form

What’s your part in God’s story?

Watch a short film from the Church of England.

What's your part in God's story?

Have you ever wondered what it might feel like to be called into ministry?

Our short film shares the stories of people from around the diocese who have responded to a sense of calling. Former accountants, project managers, mothers and students, some in training and some living life as parish priests, reflect on their journeys into a life of ordained ministry.

Exploring your vocation – are you being called?

What is a vocation?

Your vocation could be your paid employment, such as a teacher, office worker or almost anything else. If that is where God has called you to work and to be a Christian as you work, that is an important part of your Christian life and witness. Your vocation could be outside paid employment – your role as a parent, or helping with a youth group. For some people, God calls them to a more formal role within the church, either paid or unpaid: this could be as a vicar, chaplain, youth worker, lay preacher, joining a religious community or becoming an evangelist.

In the Diocese of Oxford, we have a team of Vocations Advisors trained to help you think through your sense of vocation; they have access to the information you need and can ask the questions that will help you understand your call and what it might mean to you, your family and the church. If you believe God is calling you to ordained ministry or lay ministry please speak to your vicar or chaplain and contact us and we will put you in touch with a Vocations Advisor. Have a look at the further reading list for links to resources which help you understand the options as you prayerfully consider what God is calling you to.

Submit a Vocations Enquiry Form