Period of Discernment Resources

Discerning your gifts for service in the ministry of Christ – your life’s purpose and vocation

The Period of Discernment (PoD), established by the Uniting Church in Australia in 1997, is about exploring how discipleship is lived out, the various ministries of the Uniting Church, your own growing sense of call or vocation, and providing some further steps towards discernment by you and the councils of the Church.

Discernment is the intentional practice by which a community or an individual seeks, recognises, and sets out to take part in the activity of God in a real-world situation. In the Uniting Church discernment of gifts for ministry is both individual and communal, and uses the Period of Discernment to explore the shape of personal vocation and its expression in the world and the Church.

The Period of Discernment (PoD) is a time set aside to explore your particular gifts and how you might use them to serve God in the Church and in the world. It is an intentional journey, in the context of the community of the Church, for you to be open to the work of the Holy spirit, so that you might explore who you have been made to be and how you might live in response to God’s call on your life.

Discernment is a blessing of the Church to God’s people, in the hope that everyone’s gifts might not be neglected, but rather affirmed, supported, and given opportunity to flourish, so that everyone might experience the fullness of life in God, and participate in the mission of Jesus Christ with meaning and joy.

This page includes a range of useful resources for participants and guides. You can find more by contacting your Presbytery (https://victas.uca.org.au/presbyteries/)  or by emailing eLM staff coordinating the Period of Discernment: pod@victas.uca.org.au

Participant resources

1. PoD Handbook 2025/2026 (New)
2. PoD registration form 2025/2026 (New)
3. PoD Discernment Plan (VicTas Synod)
4. PoD timeline template (VicTas Synod)
5. Sexual abuse and sexual misconduct complaints policy (UCA Assembly)
6. Preparing a Personal Rule of Life (Rob Bos)

Mentor resources

1. PoD Mentor guide 2025/2026 (New)
2. PoD Mentor training handout 2017 (VicTas Synod)
3. John Mallison’s classic book ‘Mentoring To Develop Disciples and Leaders’ is now available for download as a PDF, and includes a lot on mentoring approaches and leadership development.

Background reading

1. Basis of Union (UCA Assembly 1992)
2. Ministry in the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA Assembly 1991)
3. UCA Ministerial Education Review 1997 (UCA Assembly 1997)
4. Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice (UCA Assembly)
5. Safe Church policies (VicTas Synod)

Presbytery / congregation resources

1. Liturgy for POD beginning (VicTas Synod)