Candidating

DOV 1 Meeting 4

Matt

26 Apr 2025 — 4 min read

There is an energy and enthusiasm about our time together; we were able to share our respective journeys through Holy Week and had much to share, both recognising the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout. We reflected on the ecumenical nature of Holy Week and how rather than labelling by denomination the ‘our faith’ experience was something we had both had in spades.

I had the opportunity to recall the moment on Palm Sunday where, probably for the first time that I can recall, there was a tangible presence of the Holy Spirit and for a time during that service of worship and word we were all (everyone), in the same place. I hadn’t been able to express that before in a way that would be understood by others. We both ‘got it’.

To hear of the challenges experienced and the moment of grace on display in the Holy Island pilgrimage was breathtaking. Are we allowed to have a ‘bucket list’ for things like this? Regardless, this is on mine:

We had a gentle, deep discussion on the concept of ‘peculiar’ grace, and how there will be times when things aren’t ’always rosy’...There is grace in ‘the darkness’, in ‘fear’:

There is *a lot* of discussion about St. John of the Cross and his works…(April’s understatement)

To find someone in ministry to discuss how they have coped with moments of fear; and a realisation of the openness expected in ministry. I am anchored to the ground by the assurance of Jesus, but it allows one to be more vulnerable, (safely) there is a balance though.

There are only a few sections on the form that we’ve not covered:

Cost of Candidating
- On your identify in the church (It’ll change, a lot)
- On your family & community (a lot, but timed correctly)
- Financially (a manageable shift)
Creating a Portfolio (This is a DOV2 element, C7 is a really useful resource). It’s been good to think about this in advance and how it might be structured and evidenced.
Interview Preparation...

I went well armed and had done my homework. I received wise, gentle input; especially about the nature of the DOV1 Advisory Group meeting. Key word...Advisory. Will I really be able to portray God’s call in me and of me in such a way that it’s recognised by others in such a short time...remotely? They’re looking for it, that surly helps?

It was the final meeting before ‘retreat’. I’ve written retreat like that because I think I’ve built an image in my mind of what a retreat might be vs. what this retreat actually is:

Is it a a space offered? Yes.
Is it a facilitated opportunity, gifted by the Church, to discover further clarity of call? Yes.
It is not a holiday!
It isn’t an escape from the realities of what this might mean for my future or that of my family.
It is not ‘assessment free….

…We are human; views will be made by those who will have input and influence on the next steps, that’s the reality. So it’s a retreat. Not a ‘retreat’. I’ve rebalanced what this is.

The hardest part of this meeting, and indeed any meeting had so far, “What if it’s not this?” The official answer: There’s a ‘where now?’ retreat...(after DOV2). The honest answer is, I do not know.

I need to spend time on this, proper, reflective, prayer-filled time. A list of pros and cons? Yes > Then What? No > Then What?

There are so many standout moments of our time together in this phase - but these will be with me daily: