Matthew 9:36-38 (New King James Version*)
36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
The Orthodox Charismatic Catholic Church is looking for men who have been called by God to shepherd His flock.
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU’RE CALLED?
The first step is recognizing an inner calling to those things which pertain to God and ministry to His people. When this happens, the one called will often look the other way, but God has touched his soul, and the call cannot be ignored. Jeremiah 20:9 (NKJV) 9 Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not.
MARRIED CLERGY
As has been the case from the beginning of the Church, the OCCC has married clergy. (1 Timothy 3:2) While vows of celibacy are not required to become a priest, a priest is expected to be celibate outside of marriage, and faithful within.
SUPPORTING THE MINISTRY
Also, as was the case for even St. Paul, most of our clergy are bi-vocational. (Acts 18:3) The OCCC does not sell the sacraments. While allowed to accept gifts for the ministry, priests of the OCCC will never charge for their services. We support our ministries rather than our ministries supporting us. Each clergy should (at least) tithe to their ministry.
SOME QUALIFICATIONS
The OCCC is looking for sober-minded, trustworthy and compassionate men passionate about sharing the love of Christ to serve the Church. In addition to passing a background check, our candidates must also meet what St. Paul set out as a clear set of standards:
Qualifications of
Bishops (and by extension, priests)
1Timothy 3:1-7
1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Qualifications of Deacons
1 Timothy 3:8-13
8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 11 Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP
If you are beginning to feel the call of God, or tired of running after years of struggle against it, you can take the first step toward Holy Orders (and fulfilling your destiny) today. Just visit our Clergy Application, fill out the form, and let us help you begin your journey toward the priesthood.
God Bless!
*New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.