AOCM

Choice of pathways in initial ministerial training

This version is from 8th November 2007

A. User guide

Following the House of Bishops’ general approval of the report on the Choice of Pathways in January 2006 and, subject to final approval by the House in January 2007, the following document will come in to force for candidates entering ordination training from September 2008.

Formation for the Church’s ministry

As a Church we seek to enable good quality formation in order to equip candidates for the Church’s ministry. This formation will include the spiritual, ministerial, intellectual and personal growth of the candidate. Overall, decisions about the mode of training should take in to account:

• the envisaged ministry
• the candidate’s potential for learning and formation
• educational record,
• preferred styles of learning
• personal and family circumstances.

The key point remains, which praying and learning community (or communities) will best equip the candidate to serve the Church in the future.

Decisions about the choice of pathways through Initial Ministerial Education 1-7 (with pre-ordination and post-ordination phases) will be made by the candidate’s diocese, in discussion with the candidate and with the relevant training institutions, within the boundaries set out in these regulations.

Prior study and ministry

While it is not mandatory, all candidates, are encouraged to engage in aspects of theological study and the exploration of the practice of ministry before attending a Bishops’ Advisory Panel. We encourage all suitable candidates to seek to achieve the maximum in this area, through Education for Discipleship (EFD) or similar initiatives. A general guideline figure of between 60 and 120 credits at Level 1 or higher is suggested.

Where appropriate, candidates should present their Higher Education accredited prior learning. This might include Reader training, Education for Discipleship, independent study, and the like. Training institutions should also recognize and take into account this prior learning and to offer the appropriate level of continuing formation and learning. Training institutions should develop formal systems for granting recognition for prior experiential learning and the exercise of lay ministry.

Expected levels of attainment

The expected levels of attainment are set out in the Learning Outcomes at three key stages: (1) the point of ordination, (2) on completion of IME and (3), where appropriate, for those seeking a post of incumbent status or equivalent. These outcomes are couched in broad vocational, ministerial and educational terms.

In Higher Education terms, the normal minimum level of attainment at the point of ordination is diploma level. In this context ‘diploma level’ means attainment in both ministerial formation and theological learning, i.e. not just academic achievement.

The achievement of the Learning Outcomes and of diploma level in ministerial theology and practice implies a minimum of either two years full time or three years part time training (or an equivalent combination of these) in order to fulfil the Learning Outcomes specified for the point of ordination. Two years full-time and three years part-time for formation and education will act as a starting point in terms of expectation about training in the pre-ordination phase. However, this can be modified by a number of considerations, for example extra years in training for potential theological educators, reduction of length of training for theology graduates. The points and banding system below gives detailed consideration to this matter.

The normal expectation will be that candidates will make the maximum use of EFD (where that is appropriate for the candidate) and IME4-7 to ensure they reach the highest appropriate level of attainment appropriate for them (normal minimum of diploma level but also higher levels as appropriate).

This approach to choice of pathways applies to all candidates irrespective of age. However, where candidates are 55 or 60 [to be decided by House of Bishops in January 2008] at the point of entry into training, the ordaining bishop has discretion over the final form of the training.

Types and length of training

Access to types and length of training will normally fall within the boundaries set out in the points and banding system (see Appendix 1). The approach is built around a basic expectation that a candidate will spend two or three years in the IME 1-3 phase of training, at college or on a course, depending on the type of candidate. While we want to take prior theological learning and ministry experience seriously, we also are aware of the need for time for formation, for deepening theological ability and for facilitating the transition from a lay role to an ordained one. The points and banding system sets out basic rules about entitlement to various forms of training and the standard lengths of training.

Some of the bands indicate that it may be appropriate to combine ‘college’ and ‘course’ types of training. Thus: Band 3 allows for 6 terms in college or 9 terms on a course or equivalent combination of these. This is a developing area and we are still learning from experience. If it is appropriate for a candidate to train in this way, two main considerations will come into play:

i) Formational considerations.
According to the needs of the candidate, a balance will have to be struck between (1) the candidate belonging to a stable community or group for formational and supervisory purposes and (2) the desire to give the candidate the benefits of more than one educational and formational environment. The questions will be:

• Does the candidate have the maturity to benefit from a combined programme?
• The need for good communication between sponsoring diocese and the trainers involved on the needs of the candidate as he/she moves from one community to another.

ii) Financial considerations.
Will the cost of the combined package come within the costs to be expected within that band? In rough terms, a term at college costs the same as two and a half terms on a course, without any additional family maintenance costs.

When a diocese wishes to propose that a candidate should train on pathway outside the points and banding system, it should make a case to the Ministry Division. As at present, the Ministry Division will exercise a national role in the following areas:

1. Approving and, where satisfied, funding individual training plans in the cases of candidates that fall outside Bishops’ Regulations. These plans could involve an extra year in training to gain a degree before ordination as a potential theological educator or for candidates will exceptional pastoral or educational needs.
2. Offering advice on change of focus of ministry during training. These cases should be forwarded to the Senior Selection Secretary.
3. Offering advice on the suitability of research degrees as part of a pathway to ordination as a potential theological educator and funding research degrees within a budget. These cases should be forwarded to the Theological Education Secretary.

Principles of the points system

1. Every candidate sent into training has an entitlement to training. Within the points and banding system this is quantified as 60 points, which falls within Band 3.
2. Because of limited resources we wish to privilege younger candidates. For the purposes of this framework, we are defining ‘younger’ as ‘under 32′.
3. Those who are going to take posts of additional responsibility (incumbents or equivalent) need extra training to equip them for this role.
4. Specialist ministries may need additional training.
5. Relevant previous study, experience, prior learning and transferable skills are acknowledged as valuable and should be taken into account with regard to ministerial training.
6. Candidates should be able to offer reasonable service before retirement if they are to be given access to the standard allocation of training.

B. Bishops’ regulations for training for ordained ministry

Draft for approval by the House of Bishops
Candidates for ordained ministry will be sponsored for a Bishops’ Advisory Panel either for ‘Ordained ministry - priest’ or for ‘Ordained ministry - deacon (distinctive)’.

Focus of ministry

In addition the following questions will be asked in the sponsoring papers with regard to the focus of ordained ministry:

Is it envisaged at this stage that this candidate has the potential to exercise ministry as (one of the following):

• an incumbent (or incumbent status)?
• an assistant minister?
• an ordained local minister (or locally deployable)?

In addition, sponsoring papers may add any of the following:

• an ordained pioneer minister?
• a minister in secular employment?
• a theological educator?
• other focus of ministry?

Additional information

In the sponsoring papers, DDOs are requested to answer the following question: will the candidate be seeking a stipendiary post at the point of ordination?

Training options

A candidate whose sponsorship includes a focus of incumbent status ministry may train at college, course or a combination of these.

A candidate whose sponsorship includes a focus of assistant ministry will normally train on a regional course. In addition there will be the option for the negotiation for elements of college-type or OLM-type training where this can be negotiated and financed within the RTP.

A candidate whose sponsorship includes a focus of OLM/locally deployed, will normally train on the diocese’s OLM scheme or local ministry pathway or, for dioceses which do not have such provision, on the regional course. In addition there will be an option for the negotiation for elements of college-type or course-type training where this can be negotiated and financed within the RTP.

Where candidates can demonstrate a high level of academic aptitude (normally through having a 2.1 in a first degree or equivalent), the pathway can include departmental theology degrees in theological faculties where these are part of validated routes approved by the Ministry Division.

Expected levels of attainment

The expected normal levels of attainment are set out in the Learning Outcomes at the point of ordination, on completion of IME and, where appropriate, for those seeking a post of incumbent status or equivalent. These outcomes are couched in broad vocational, ministerial and educational terms.

In Higher Education terms, the normal minimum level of attainment at the point of ordination is diploma level.

Type and length of training

Access to types and length of training will normally fall within the boundaries set out in the points and banding system (appendix 1).

Where a diocese wishes for a candidate to train outside Bishops’ Regulations, it should make a case to the Ministry Division.

These regulations will apply to all candidates irrespective of age. However, where candidates are 55 or 60 [to be decided by House of Bishops] at the point of entry into training, the ordaining bishop has discretion over the final form of the training, with central funding been available to the same level as under the points and banding system.

Where a candidate is deemed to be a theology graduate (approved batchelor’s level degree, taken within the last 10 years, in which more than 50% of the modules successfully taken fall directly in areas of the ministerial curriculum), the length of training may be reduced to two years of full-time training; or two years of part-time training, if this is appropriate in terms of the candidate’s formational development.

An ‘approved’ degree or course of study in this guide means one recognised in the United Kingdom (HEFCE) or studies to an equivalent standard.

Time limits are given for the length of currency of study. If studies were undertaken outside of these limits and there is evidence of continuing study or related practice, consideration can be given to accepting these studies.

Funding

Central Church funds will be available for the pre-ordination phase of training:

1. for a candidate who has attended a Bishops’ Advisory Panel and where the sponsoring bishop has sent the candidate into training
2. where the training pathway lies within the parameters of these regulations
3. where the pathway comprises either (a) a route or combinations of routes validated by the Ministry Division or (b) an individual training plan for a candidate which has been approved by the Ministry Division.

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Appendix 1: Points and banding system

Step One:

Every candidate receives 60 points.

Step Two:

If the expectation is of a post of responsibility (incumbent status or equivalent), add 40.

Step Three:

If a young candidate (under 32 by the time of entry into training), add 40.

Step Four:

If a specialist ministry is expected, add 30 for potential theological educator, add 15 for pioneer minister.
Total Steps 1-4

Step Five:

Take away points for the following. The maximum deduction is 40 points to allow candidates the necessary time for formation.
Previous study

• ‘Theology Graduates’: approved batchelor’s level degree, taken within the last 10 years, in which more than 50% of the modules successfully taken fall directly in areas of the ministerial curriculum, subtract 40
• approved Higher Education accredited study in Theology, at least at diploma level, where between 25 and 50% of modules fall directly in areas of the ministerial curriculum within last 10 years, subtract 20
• Reader training within last ten years, subtract 30
• Education for Discipleship at 60 credit points at level 1 or above, subtract 10
• Ministerial Experience of five years or more with evidence of reflective practice, subtract 10-20
• Substantial Transferable Skills (e.g. significant counselling qualifications), subtract 10-20.
  • Band 1 fewer than 20: limited programme
  • Band 2 20 or more and fewer than 60: 6 terms on a course or its equivalent combination of course and college
  • Band 3 60 or more and fewer than 130: 6 terms in college or 9 terms on a course or equivalent combination of these
  • Band 4 130 or more: 9 terms in college or combination of college and course
  • Band 5 160 or more points: significant indicator of the potential for extra investment in training. Candidates’ Panel or Research Degree Panel (though the cases of candidates with fewer points can also be put).

  This step yields the final total.

  Step Six:

  Compare final total to bands on the scale.