King's Chaplain, George Beverly, is ordained at Wells Cathedral...

On Saturday 25^th September, I had the immense privilege of being ordained into the Church of England as a deacon alongside sixteen other men and women from the Diocese of Bath and Wells.

So, what is ordination? And what does it mean to be ordained as a deacon? In one regard, this is a culmination of several years reflecting, praying, discussing and training. I have felt a tangible call to full-time Christian ministry since my days at university. After working for a church in North London and spending a few years here in Somerset, during which I chatted through this sense of calling and tested it out in various contexts, I decided to begin the Church of England’s process towards being ordained as a minister within the church whose articles of religion, creeds and structure I passionately believe in. In 2018 I was successfully selected for such ordination and began three years of training part time at St Mellitus College in London whilst still working at King’s.

But ordination is also much more profound than a mere culmination or graduation as a “Reverend” at the end of a process of training. It is a public commitment to set one’s life apart for the ministry of the Gospel within the Church of England. What does ministering the Gospel actually look like? Well, during the service on Saturday, the Bishop said the following piece of liturgy:

"Deacons are to proclaim the gospel (amazing message of salvation found in Jesus Christ) in word and deed, as agents of God’s purposes of love. They are to serve the community in which they are set, bringing to the Church the needs and hopes of all the people. They are to work with their fellow members in searching out the poor and weak, the sick and lonely and those who are oppressed and powerless, reaching into the forgotten corners of the world, that the love of God may be made visible."

So when one becomes ordained, you’re saying: “this is me, I hope and pray to lead a life where I will proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, both verbally and in the actions I do. Moreover, I long to have a special concern for those who are neglected, hurt and forgotten in the world around me.” Indeed, my training in many ways has equipped me for this task. Yet at the same time, as the Bishop also said, “You cannot bear the weight of this calling in your own strength, but only by the grace and power of God. Pray therefore, that your heart may daily be enlarged and your understanding of the Scriptures enlightened.” Thus, as an ordained minister in the Church of England it is crucial that you lean on meeting God through prayer and reading the Bible to be strengthened in this work. Moreover, as the Bishop laid her hands on me, she asked for the Holy Spirit to richly be at work in me and all the other ordinands - that we would walk closely with the almighty helper in the various ministries we embark upon.

Saturday really was a special, emotional and profound day. It was a joyous and weighty occasion. Above all I’m full of thankfulness - to God for all the many ways he has richly blessed me in his mercy. To St Mellitus College, St John’s Church in Yeovil, The Diocese of Bath and Wells, my family/friends, and King’s Bruton for all the support they have shown me these past three/four years and going forward. Will I wear a dog (clerical) collar? Yes, sometimes, but not all the time. I hope that more importantly I’ll wear the call to serve those around me day in day out. Do I expect people to call me Rev? Not at all. Call me what you want (within reason!) - whatever is comfortable for you. Above all, know that, as your Chaplain, I long to look out for you, share with you the joy of the Christian faith, and humbly walk alongside you as much or as little as you want, no matter where you are on the spectrum of faith / no faith.

Rev Bev (Rev'd George Beverly - King's Chaplain)

Flickr album: Our Chaplain's Ordination - 25th September 2021 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin

Click here to listen to the BBC Radio Somerset interview with Rev'd George Beverly