Vocation: Priest or Barrister? Reflections from a Season of Discernment
It has been an interesting few months — a season of listening, wrestling and honest questioning. Two very different paths have been tugging at my heart: continuing my training as an Anglican priest, or pursuing the Bar. Both callings feel real; both promise a life of meaning and service.
When I step back and listen, I keep coming back to God. No matter how many angles I turn the decision through — gifts, temperament, prospects, family, finances — there is a steady, gentle gravity toward the life of ministry. Deep inside me there is a longing to be a priest: to preach, to pray, to walk alongside people in their joys and sorrows, and to help make space for God in everyday lives.
Two Callings, One Heart for Service
The other part of me lights up at the idea of the Bar. I can see myself standing in court — arguing, analysing, seeking justice — and doing it with the same dedication I would bring to parish ministry. The legal life appeals to my love of argument, structure and public service. I know I could be an excellent barrister; it would be another way of serving people and pursuing justice.
The hard part has been deciding which way to commit my life. Both call for sacrifice and both promise opportunities to accompany and defend people. I have learned a lot through this process — about who I am, what sustains me, and where my strengths lie. Vocation isn’t only about aptitude; it’s also about where my heart will persevere when things are difficult.
What I’ve Learned
- I’m drawn to service — whether at the altar or in the courtroom.
- Discernment is a process, not a single moment.
- Moving forward requires courage, prayer and community.
For now, practical steps are taking shape: in time I plan to move to the Anglican Diocese of Perth in Western Australia. That decision is part of a longer journey of discernment — it doesn’t necessarily close other doors, but it does commit me to giving space and time to the life that keeps drawing me back.
A priest who becomes a lawyer is a father-in-law, but the joke opens a serious question: does anyone stand between you and God? Scripture says every believer is already a priest with direct access to the Father through Christ.
If you have been through vocational discernment yourself, I’d love to hear how you navigated it. Your stories, prayers and advice are a real encouragement.
How you can pray
Please hold me in your prayers for:
- Clarity — to see which calling God is shaping me for.
- Courage — to choose a path and follow through faithfully.
- Humility — to accept God’s timing and direction.
