Thoughts on becoming Pagan Clergy

The following is an excerpt from something I have been studying in preparation for the Correllian Ministry.  It was an address to the clergy of the Church of Gaia, back in the day. The essay is called "What Gaeists Believe" and it's published as part of "Correllian Philosophy" 

This really struck me, as I have been trying to pin down why I want to become a Correllian Minister, and what that will mean for my life and purpose. The 'energies' referred to are those of the changing age, and the power and destruction, and eventually rebirth, that will accompany them.

"...At this time we Priests and Priestesses have the special

task of understanding and assisting these energies and

those affected by them.

In becoming a Priest or Priestess you commit to helping

both the planet and society as well as individuals. There

will be many problems and crises on both large and

personal scales with which you may be called upon to

help, as well as the High Magic of Priestcraft. You must

be caring and compassionate to those who look to you for

guidance, yet also be strong enough not to be misused.

You must be teacher both of universal truth and correct

action, and a facilitator of universal life –helping those

who turn to you to overcome all blockages and hindrances

to their own greatest potential. You are taking them and

helping them to find their places in the universe, and to

weather and even rejoice in the coming changes. You

must be their advisor and friend, their leader when

needed, and their defender and protector. To be a Priest/

Priestess is not an easy path. It is a vocation –a calling,

not a job. It requires courage, persistence, and dedication,

as well as psychic and magical training. It is a high calling,

not accepted lightly. Yet the rewards are great. The world

will change. The changes can be easy or hard, the results

to our liking or not –it is to guide this that we are called. If

we do not, the world will change without us. It is a window

of great opportunity in which great things can be done, if

we choose to do them. This is the choice put before you.

Think on it well, for it is not a one-time choice, but a

choice to be remade and more deeply made each day. A

steep path leading to great heights and ancient magical

things. Think on it well".