AOCM

Conference Report, February 1999

News from an Excellent Conference at Trinity.

Mark Hodge, from the Ministry Division (formerly ABM), spent a very fruitful first session with us talking about financial matters. He explained the training budget, funding for training institutions and student finance. There was a discussion about the pooling system for single ordinands, which has now been operating for a year: however, there are still big variations in the amounts provided to single ordinands.

Other financial issues raised with Mark Hodge:

• Expectations that spouses who do not have childcare responsibilities will seek employment;
• Different approaches to the Resettlement Grant taken by different dioceses;
• The rebate system and the different impact it has on single and married ordinands in different circumstances.

We considered draft guidelines for developing policies on harassment prepared by Marion Morgan of WEMTC, and hope to approve these at the next conference.
There is a need to tighten up the Constitution to reflect the membership of students training for the Church Army and to define AOCM’s role and remit more accurately. A form of words will be put to the next conference.

Issues raised by reps

• Women training for ministry at Oak Hill: there was a discussion about misperceptions. Oak Hill does support women’s ministry.
• Timing of ordinations: a perennial issue! When is the best time for ordinations bearing in mind:
  • Training is foreshortened by Petertide ordinations – a particular issue for people on two-year courses;
  • Moving children to a new school;
  • Gap between training grant and stipend.
    • Selectors’ Reports: Concern was raised about the secrecy of selectors’ reports. It was felt that candidates should have a chance to refute or challenge assertions made about them.
    • Access for Disabled Ordinands: How easy is it for disabled ordinands to train at theological colleges and courses? Who is responsible for ensuring (and funding) access, whether in terms of building alterations or British Sign Language interpretation?
    • Two-Year Training Courses: Most ordinands aged over 30 who train at colleges only receive two years training. Some people are very happy with this, though others feel that
      • the 30 year cut off is a bit arbitrary,
      • two years’ (in practice 20 months) training does not give enough time for reflection or to engage with the issues,
      • formation is truncated,
      • there is insufficient time to learn to reflect theologically.

  Joanne Thorns will draw up a short questionnaire.

  Of course, there are financial implications.
  If you have a view on any of these matters, please discuss them with your AOCM rep or contact the Chair.

  Not All Talk

  An AOCM conference is more than just a meeting about issues that affect ordinands. Worship is an important part of the programme and, at the Trinity conference, this was very moving.

  Future Conferences

  5 June, All Saints Pastoral Centre, London Colney, St Albans, Herts.
  6-7 November, Mirfield
  February 2000, St John’s Nottingham