Full-time Church-Based Ordination Training

Jesus trained his disciples by a blend of practice and thinking. He sent them out to proclaim and to demonstrate the Kingdom of God. He then brought them back together to think about what they had done and to spend time with him. That basic rhythm was the heart of the training he gave to his followers.

That is also the basic method of ministry training we offer at St Paul’s Theological Centre, as part of St Mellitus College. This is a two- or three-year course where students are placed in practical church ministry for half of their time, learning practical skills of ministry ‘on the job’ and how a church works and grows, while studying in SPTC for the other half of their time from some of the best theological teachers in the UK. This enables a unique opportunity to learn ministry by doing it and thinking about it at the same time. You get first-rate academic study while learning how to grow a church in practice, and the chance to relate theory to practice in a way that is much closer to the way Jesus trained his followers than many other models of training.

This training route is open to all Anglican ordinands recommended for training, except those recommended for 'Assistant Minister' status. It works well for Ordained Pioneer Ministry candidates, but is also open to 'regular' ordinands who want a missional and contemporary 'edge' to their training.

Full-Time Church-Based Ordination Training at St Paul's Theological Centre

Those looking to train full-time can train through the College’s new ‘Church-Based Ordination Training’ route, as an alternative to residential training. On this mission–focussed course, students do half of their learning ‘on the job’ in a local church, and the other half in the classroom. Alongside their ministry in the local context, students engage in academic study and reflection through:

• one full day’s teaching every week at SPTC
• one day each week for personal study
• seven residential weekend through the year
• one annual full residential week

On residentials, SPTC students join with other St Mellitus students studying at NTMTC.

All students on this course are based in and employed by local churches or mission contexts. Some are already on the staff of churches, and continue that involvement during their training. For others, we can help them find a suitable placement for the practical part of their course. So those taking this route are ‘full-time, non-residential students’, which means that they are engaged in full-time preparation for ordained ministry, but with half of their training happening ‘on the job’. Because of SPTC's links to Holy Trinity Brompton, there is also the chance to learn first-hand from one of the most dynamic and innovative churches in the UK today.

Our aim is to provide academic training that is just as high quality as could be found in the best residential colleges or universities, alongside practical experience of growing churches or fresh expressions of church under experienced leadership. A vital part of the course is regular sessions of ‘theological reflection’ where in groups, students share issues they are facing in their practical ministry, and learn to analyse and address them with the help of the theology they are learning.

What might a normal week look like? 

A student might be employed in a local church for 3 days a week, have two days free for study (one in SPTC weekly, one for private study) and one or two days off per week, and in addition be available for residential weeks and weekends.

Another possible combination for those who do not require a salary from a church would be volunteer work in a Fresh Expression, or Christian ministry of some kind for two days a week, with the rest of the week free for extended study.

A third combination for those whose church cannot afford to pay them for the work they do, might be two days a week volunteer work in the church, two days a week put aside for study and two days a week in paid secular employment to help cover living costs. This would then still leave one day off a week.

Courses

The courses are:
* BA in Contextual Theology (Middlesex University)
* Foundation Degree in Contextual Theology (Middlesex University)
* MA (King’s College London) with Ordination training at SPTC

All ordinands follow the ‘Leadership and Church Planting Training’ Monday afternoon sessions which cover the key elements of ordained ministry and leadership in the church, with a particular focus on church planting and new forms of church life.

Every student has a Personal Tutor at SPTC, and a Supervisor is appointed within the Primary Placement, to oversee the practical ministry part of the training.

Those new to theological study work towards a BA or Foundation Degree in Contextual Theology through Middlesex University. Theology Graduates can study for an MA through King’s College London alongside ordination training at St Mellitus.

Enquiring and Applying

If you are interested in training through the Church-based route, you can attend one of our regular Open Days on Monday mornings (please email us on sptc@stmellitus.org for details). To apply to train for ordination with us, download an application form here, and either send it to us at St Mellitus College, St Paul's Onslow Square, London, SW7 3NX, or email it to the above email address.
 

“Church-based training offers a unique way of learning to connect theology and ministry. At the heart of this form of training is the opportunity to sit down with a group of friends and discuss together real-life issues of ministry and how theology can help. It helps students work out how to use their theology in ministry settings, and how to connect theory with practice.”
The Revd Dr Andrew Emerton (Assistant Dean, Director, SPTC)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I carry on working in my home church?

Yes – if you are working there already, it is often possible to stay based in your present church while doing your training. If you are already working there full-time, you will have to go half-time to make time for the academic part of the course, but we have many students who are able to continue their work in their local church while training for ministry.

What if I don’t have a church placement? Can you fix me up with one?

Yes we probably can. We have a number of churches in london and sometimes beyond, both large and small, who are looking for ordinands to be placed with them. These include Holy Trinity Brompton, giving the chance to work half time on the staff of one of the most vibrant and dynamic churches in the uk while doing your theological training. It also includes a range of other churches of different types and sizes. Please contact us for details of churches you might be placed with.

Do I have to be an ordained pioneer minister to train with SPTC?

No. Both ‘regular’ ordinands and opm candidates train with us. We have a focus in the practical part of our training on church planting – either for those who want to learn how to plant a church, or to help students prepare to lead churches that are growing enough to be able to plant. As peter wagner says, ‘church planting is the quickest method of evangelism under heaven’. However, we take ordinands training for ‘normal’ ministry and pioneers.

Won’t I miss out on good academic training?

We don’t think so. Our staff team is a mix of high class academic teachers, including people such as our core staff and our visiting professors, Alister McGrath and Keith Ward who regularly teach with us, and practitioners – those with seasoned experience of church leadership and church planting, such as, Nicky Gumbel, pioneer of the Alpha Course, Bishop Graham Cray, who heads up Fresh Expressions, and Pete Greig, Director of 24/7 Prayer. We often find the academic teaching comes alive for students because they are actually involved with ministry at the same time, and therefore able to apply it more immediately. Those who want to focus on the academic side can do so, choosing a ‘tutorial route’, where they are offered Oxbridge-style tutorials with core staff throughout the course.

How much time would I spend on practical ministry and how much on study?

It depends how you want to focus your time. The minimum is two days a week on each. So, some students who want to focus on the academic side can spend up to four days a week studying. Others can focus more on the ministry side, spending three or four days a week on practical ministry, and just two days a week for study.

What if I’m a theology graduate?

You can train through a unique combination of an MA in theology and ministry with King’s College London, and practical ministry training at SPTC, while still being rooted in a local church.

What’s the link with HTB?

SPTC is based in Holy Trinity Brompton. That means some students can be based on the staff there while they are doing their training. Others however have the opportunity to observe and study this vibrant church that has planted 20 churches over the past 20 years and also just grown a new congregation for 20-somethings from zero to 1000 in 2 years. It offers a unique opportunity to study a real live growing church at close quarters. Not everyone will run a church like HTB, but there are lessons to be learnt for all churches there.

How do the finances work?

All course fees are paid by central church funds. Your living allowance comes partly from a part-time salary paid by the church you are working in, topped up to what you need from grants from central funds and your local diocese.

What would a normal week look like?

Ordinands normally come into SPTC for one day’s study a week over three terms of the year. They also join with the students at NTMTC (the other part of St Mellitus college) for seven residential weekends and a residential week each year. Students would normally put aside at least one other day for private study. The rest of the time, they work on the staff of a church, fresh expression of church, or some other mission context.

I am from outside the UK and want to be ordained. Could I be trained at SPTC?

Yes, you can study at SPTC (as part of St. Mellitus College) providing that your sponsoring Diocese is happy for you to train in London with us.

How do I become an ordinand in the Church of England?

Generally speaking, before beginning down the road to becoming ordained in the Church of England you should have experience of being part of an Anglican Church. This would include attending and being involved in a local Anglican church.

The first step to take when considering ordination is to speak to your Vicar/Parish Priest. This will determine whether you will be deemed appropriate to begin the journey of training and eventual position in ordained ministry. If your Vicar/Priest is keen to support your application, he will send you to your DDO (Diocesan Director of Ordinands). Your DDO is the person in the Diocese who is responsible for overseeing the process of applications for ordination training. Different diocese run the selection procedure differently, but at some stage, if all goes smoothly, you would be put forward for a national selection conference. This is usually a two day process of interviews, presentations and exercises that will lead to either your being selected for training for ordination in the Church of England or not. At some stage in this process you would also look at where might be the best place and pathway for you to train for ordination.

Once selected for ordination what are my training options?

There are basically three routes. The first is full time residential theological college training. The second is a part time 'Course' route where you train alongside doing a full time secular job. The third route is this 'Church-Based, Full-time, Non-residential Ordination training' at St Mellitus (SPTC).

Discussing these options needs to be pursued with your DDO as part of the selection process and we also encourage you to come and visit us on one of our open days held at St. Paul’s Theological Centre which is where the full time non residential training is based in London.

Do I have a calling to ordained ministry in the Church of England?

To download the brochure please visit

http://www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents/ministry/ministryinthecofe/