Vocations Conference part 2

Following the email from yesterday, I was asked about the education side of training. Again, I can only speak with regard to how the process has affected me. If in doubt, give the CofS a call.

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First off, check with Ministries regarding the training. Depending on your existing qualifications, the training may vary, especially if you already have a theology or divinity degree.

You may wish to read page 29 of the OLM Candidates handbook. This relates to training. You will be expected to do the equivalent of first year university, spread over two years before ordination. I believe this should include Sacramental Theology, which I believe is actually a second year subject. This is why you need to discuss the academic part with Ministries, as you may still need a second year subject.

I’m currently with HTC, and their training overview is here. Their subject listing for the Certificate, Diploma and BA is on this page.

So my understanding is...

• Studying towards first year degree equivalent is mandatory pre-ordination. (Ask about whether you need Sacramental Theology. I believe the answer is yes.)

• Studying towards second year degree equivalent is expected after ordination.

• And now you have got this far, and because you enjoyed it, you might as well finish your degree by doing the third year.

• And then you can do honours....

Regarding the delivery of the classes, it uses something called Jabber, which is similar to Skype. Most PC’s from the past few years will run it fine. I don’t know what Aberdeen uses. You can either attend class virtually, or download it for watching later. The delivery of the course is something you need to discuss with HTC/Aberdeen.

Your studies run alongside your placements, but the actual arrangements vary from person to person. Ministries council will advise. I have found the study challenging, but certainly worthwhile.

If you are near Glasgow or Edinburgh, look into Sconul Access which allows you to take out books from theological universities near to you. There are plenty of books available through HTC’s online library, but I like going to a “real” library.

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Vocations Conference Church of Scotland

Last Saturday, on the first day of my probation, I attended another Vocations conference.  This time I attended to help out, rather than listen, and it was a really good day.  Thanks to Linlithgow St Michaels for putting us up for the day.

Vocations conferences are the first stage in training for any of the Ministries within the Church of Scotland.  This one was well attended, and I know there are people this week who have contacted or are thinking about contacting Ministries Council to take the next step. 

After the conference, I noticed traffic on this blog increase.  The first post from my own Vocation conference (they were called Enquirers Conferences then.) is to be found here.

After the conference, one of the attendeed emailed me for more information.  What follows is the edited highlights of an exchange of emails.  Names, places etc deleted.

If you are thinking about any role within the Church of Scotland, contact them first and they will advise.  My advice may not be the current practice.

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I’m not a member of Ministries Council staff, so I can only speak about the process as it has affected me.  The process has changed a little since I started, but the main things remain unchanged.  The first thing you need to do is email Ministries Council through vocation@cofscotland.org.uk and ask for the application pack.  Once you return that, Ministries Council will organise with Healthlink360 to set up the interviews that will decide whether or not you proceed to the next stages of the process, namely the Period of Discernment, the Local Review and the National Assessment Conference.

Ministries council will help you if you have any questions about the steps that you have to follow. They are often pretty busy, especially so after conferences, so please bear with them! There are some other things that are worth considering as well.  The first speaker at the conference spoke about being able to express your call.  If your best friend asked you why you are doing this, how would you explain it to them?  Why do you feel that God is calling you to serve in His church?  What made you come to this decision?  Do you need to be an Ordained Minister to serve God?  One of the questions I was asked at the National Assessment Conference was about the other forms of ministry.  Why are you not called to be a Reader, a full time Minister or a Deacon.  Be prepared to express why the other ministries aren't for you.  This is not to say that the other ministries are less of a vocation, but they each suit a particular type of person.

You are also likely to be asked about how you feel about the ordination of women.  The Church of Scotland has been ordaining women since the 1960’s.  If your theology disagrees with the ordination of women, then the CofS may not be for you.  You may be asked about infant baptism, and this is also something that we do that some churches will not.  They are not looking for a deep theological argument, just an assurance that your beliefs don’t run contrary to the theology of the Church.

If you have any OLM's working in your own or neighbouring presbyteries, it might also be worth making contact with them, and discussing their role.

There are some books that people often get suggested to read as trainee ministers.   Called or Collared by Francis Dewar is one that springs to mind.  It’s written from a Church of England perspective, but the sense of calling is the same.  This website explains a call to ministry, and the steps they went through. Here’s another.  There are a few more ministry blogs out there, from any number of denominations.  

I know this may be obvious, but have you talked this through with your family?  It may be your call, but it’s a whole lot harder if you don’t have a family that understands what you are doing.  Whatever happens, you will be devoting a lot of your time to training and your eventual Ministry, and if you are married, your wife will become a Minister’s wife, whether she wants to or not.  Sundays will never be your own again, and as you train, you will be spending time studying, preparing for worship, or attending and observing church life, more often than not on weeknights between 7.30 and 10.00 pm.  You will have a couple of conferences a year, plus whatever duties you are expected to carry out as part of your placements.

Also, have you spoken to your own minister.  At some point they will be asked for a reference, but it’s good to chat with them about their sense of call.

If you are in doubt about whether you are able to study, because I know I had my doubts, you may wish to sign up to Aberdeen Uni or Highland Theological College to sit one module.  If you qualify for an ILA Scotland grant, the fees may be covered.  If you pass the module, you can count it towards your Certificate, Diploma, or if you go all the way, your degree.  The CofS will fund your course, but only once you have been accepted at the Assessment conference.

Journaling.  I am no diarist, and the thought of putting my thoughts onto paper scared me.  However I have actually found it useful to have something to look back on, and it’s a good habit to be in.  We are supposed to be “reflective practitioners”, whatever that means, so the journal has certainly helped me reflect on where I have been.  It shouldn’t take you long, and most people just use a Word document and write it up a couple of times a week.  There’s guidance available from Ministries Council on journaling, which may even be in your application pack.

The final thing I have to say is that the discernment process is about you exploring your call.  You may get halfway through and you decide that OLM or any form of ministry just isn’t for you, and that God was calling you in another direction. There is absolutely no shame in withdrawing or changing to another form of ministry.  Again, Ministries Council will help you whatever you decide.

Sorry that has been a wall of text, and I am happy to answer any future questions.  Whatever you decide to do, I pray that you are blessed by God on your journey.

Kind regards,

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Part 2 to follow tomorrow...