AOCM

Into The Wild Blue Yonder?

Simon Heathfield from CPAS explores finding your first post after training

Moving from training to ministry will be a different experience for everyone. So much will depend on the way you trained (Course or College) and the location of your curacy (new town, home, diocese). It will be one of the key decisions in your ministry so its worthwhile going into it with your eyes open. So how can you make it work for you and your situation?

1. Remember the big picture

In the grand scheme of things the purpose of any process is to find God’s fit, for both you and any parish you might go to. God is sovereign, even over the Church of England! It is essential to keep this in the forefront of your mind as things develop. The safest place for you, and any family you have, to be, in what can be a stressful process, is walking closely with God.

2. Resist the temptation to compare

Different dioceses do things in different ways and at different times. Avoid the temptation to be worried because it seems slow to you. It is not a comment on your call, ability or desirability. It might simply be that your diocese runs to a different timescale. Having said that, make sure you ask your DDO or Bishop early about how you can expect things to work for you. The basic process is governed by a Code of Procedure agreed by Bishops, Colleges, Courses and diocese. It should look something like this:

i) The Bishop or DDO should liaise with you at the end of your penultimate year of training and working from your reports and conversations should make a suggestion of a post, or release you to look elsewhere. This should happen by the end of October of your final year.

ii) If you are to be ‘released’ make sure you and the DDO have it in writing to save any misunderstanding.

iii) For those who are released each College/Course will have a system of letting you know about posts available

iv) Each vicar and each ordinand may only ‘look’ at one person or place at a time. That does not mean that you cannot look at several sets of details, but you should only enter into one set of direct conversations.

v) The process of decision will normally involve at least one or two visits, preferably with any partner or children you have. Make sure you attend the services in which you will be expected to minister.

vi) Both sides are free to come to whatever decision they wish. These should be communicated in writing both to the individual concerned and also to your DDO or Bishop, if they are aware of your interest.

vii) Once a post has been found the diocese to which you are going will make arrangements for removals, and ordination grants, costs and dates. The local parish is entirely responsible for your housing & other local issues (start date, holidays, etc.)

3. Ask 5 hard questions (at least)

Remember that no one is forced to take a post, but you will have to live and work with your decision for at least 3 years

• Do I want to be trained by this vicar, and in this parish?
• Are our working practices and expectations compatible?
• How has the previous curate found this vicar and parish? (If details are refused ask yourself why!)
• How will we find this place in terms of location, social life, family needs?
• Do we have any sense that this place fits the kind of ministry we believe God has called us to and equipped us for?

Make sure that you get to talk to plenty of people other than the vicar, including previous curates or staff. The willingness to be open, or not, will tell you much about the style and practice of ministry in this place. Also make sure you talk things through with someone who knows you well and is willing to say hard things to you.

4. Focus on the crucial things for the long term

• What patterns of ministry will I learn here? - Workaholism, balanced life etc.
• Will I learn effective patterns of mission and evangelism?
• Is the ministry here something that will move me forward and something I want to pass on to others?

5. Be willing to look at everything

Many people enter training with fixed ideas about when, where and how they will minister. But be open to what God might do, rather than limiting or denying his power by being over-rigid in what you will allow him to do.

Can CPAS be of any help?

CPAS is an Anglican mission agency, evangelical in conviction but serving the whole church.

We provide people and resources to support a wide range of ministry across the whole church, but particularly in Leadership, Youth and Children’s Ministry and Evangelism. As patrons to over 500 benefices across the country we share the responsibility of appointing ministers to over 1000 churches. We are passionate that the men and women of God’s calling should be supported to find the places he has prepared for them. We also give grants to ordinands. Contact:

Rev Simon Heathfield, Ministry Adviser, 01926 458455, sheathfield@cpas.org.uk

Rev Andy Piggott, Patronage Secretary, 01926 458457, apiggott@cpas.org.uk

In particular we produce a resource sheet for ordinands seeking posts called: Situations Vacant.

This has a comprehensive list of questions we suggest you ask. Call Pauline for copies of on 01926 458480.