God Doesn’t Call the Equipped; He Equips the Called
If you have Dyslexia, ADHD, or another neurodiversity, the question, “Can I truly be a priest if my brain is wired differently?” is not a doubt of faith, but a practical, crushing worry.
Let me be direct: Yes, you can be a priest.
The process of discernment in the Church of England is about identifying your capacity for priesthood—your character, your spiritual maturity, and your unique gifts. It is not about measuring your reading speed or your ability to conform to a single, standardised model of the perfect candidate.
We must remember the foundation of our faith, articulated in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
God frequently chooses unconventional vessels to demonstrate His strength. Your neurodiversity is not a hurdle; it is a feature of your creation, and a unique conduit for God’s grace.
Hyperfocus and the Gift of the Mess-Up (My Story)
The reality of neurodiversity in ministry is that our strengths and weaknesses are often two sides of the same coin. For me, preparing a talk is a perfect example:
The Strength of Hyperfocus When I prepare a sermon, my hyperfocus kicks in. Whether I’ve had weeks or a very short time, my attention is given entirely to that subject. This hyperfocus is something which actually enables me to quickly read the Bible—it overrides my dyslexia a little, driving a detailed study. I may be reading the same passage for the tenth time, but the focus allows me to determine and articulate what is truly on my heart about the subject.
What comes out is a detailed talk that people connect with on an intimate level and, importantly, recall weeks and months later. I am determined to write truthfully, not dressing up Jesus as ‘the nice guy,’ but showing his full, authentic self—like turning over the tables in the Temple.
The Gift of the Mess-Up Yet, when I stand at the front, I stumble. I jumble words up, mispronounce names of people and places, and often struggle to read perfectly from notes. This is where my dyslexia comes back, but I have learned to own it.
This mess-up is a superpower, a gift given to me to show people that those who stand at the front are not superhumans, but mere, messy humans like those in the pews. I make a joke of the fact that I’ve said something so wrong that only God knows what I meant. This authenticity drives a powerful connection with the congregation and draws them closer to God. My hyperfocus and my dyslexia—they certainly are spiritual gifts.
Biblical Archetypes, The Unconventional Leaders
The Bible itself shows that unique wiring is essential to vocation.
If you fear your neurodiversity will disqualify you, look to scripture. The Bible itself is a testament to the fact that God not only uses diverse people but often requires difference to complete the mission. The leaders God chose were frequently described in ways that today we might associate with complex learning styles, intense processing, or profound social difference. Their capacity was found in their unique wiring, not despite it.
The Case of Moses: Accommodations and Co-Ministry
Moses, arguably the greatest prophet in the Hebrew Scriptures, was profoundly hesitant about the task God laid out for him. In Exodus 4:10, Moses protests: “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”
This is a classic cry of anxiety about a perceived communication deficit—a worry common to those with dyslexia or social communication differences.
God’s answer was not to heal the difficulty, but to provide an accommodation: Aaron. Aaron was deputized as Moses’s mouthpiece. This teaches us a vital lesson:
Effective leadership does not mean doing everything alone. It means wisely acknowledging your limits and building a team—or seeking the necessary accommodations—to fulfil the calling. Your reliance on a reader, a scribe, or a digital tool is simply your Aaron.
The Case of Paul: Hyperfocus and Relentless Output
The Apostle Paul was a figure of extreme energy, intensity, and singular focus. Reading his letters and the account of his travels (Acts), one sees a man who could sustain a remarkable output, diving deeply into complex theology and driving the Gospel across continents.
This intense focus and relentless drive—traits often associated with ADHD or certain aspects of the autistic spectrum—was absolutely essential to his ministry. Where others might have been distracted or overwhelmed by the vastness of the task, Paul’s singular, driving passion allowed him to excel.
If you find that your hyperfocus allows you to spend six hours deep in an ancient text or obsessively plan an outreach project, this is not a distraction; it is a sacred gift that aligns with Paul’s own passion (Philippians 3:4-11).
The Case of Jeremiah: Profound Sensitivity and Prophetic Truth
Jeremiah was known as the “weeping prophet.” He was a figure of profound sensitivity, often alienated and struggling with the social pressures of his role. He felt the weight of God’s message and the pain of his people acutely (Jeremiah 1:6).
This deep emotional resonance and sensitivity—the ability to feel things intensely—is a hallmark of many neurodivergent experiences.
In ministry, this sensitivity translates directly into deep pastoral empathy and prophetic wisdom. The neurotypical minister might offer a conventional comfort; the sensitive neurodivergent minister can speak with a profound, unvarnished truth that comes from a different level of perception.
Re-Interpreting the 6 Qualities
Love for GodDepth and Intensity: The capacity for hyper-focus (as demonstrated above) translates into deep spiritual passion and intellectual curiosity
WisdomOut-of-the-Box Thinking: Dyslexic or holistic thinking excels at seeing non-linear connections, spotting patterns, and finding truly creative solutions to pastoral issues.
FruitfulnessDedicated Problem-Solving: Once a clear task is set and aligned with the mission, the drive to completion is powerful, leading to highly effective results.
Authority & LeadershipAuthenticity and Empathy: Leading by openly acknowledging your needs (advocacy) builds trust and makes you a visible champion for inclusion.
ResiliencePersistence in the Face of Systemic Hurdles: Having fought systems (educational, social) your whole life, you possess an exceptional level of resilience and persistence.
IntegrityHonesty about Capacity: Knowing and communicating your limits shows profound integrity and self-awareness, crucial traits for leading a community.
The Church seeks candidates who possess the following six qualities. Your neurodiversity does not subtract from these; it enhances them.
Your Call is Enough
Your experience in ministry will not look the same as the person next to you, and that is precisely the point. The Church of England needs leaders whose authentic, messy, and creative humanity can connect with the real, messy humanity of the people in the pews.
Your call is valid. Your unique brain is the gift. The discernment process is about finding a way to allow you to serve, not a way to screen you out. If there is one thing I can encourage you to do, its to reach out to your minister or DDO to advocate for your needs.
Go and speak your truth.
