DDO Handbook Section 7

Training

Contents of this Section:

• A time of transition
• The new selection categories and access to training
• The Churches' Validation Framework and the content of training
• Theological colleges
• Regional theological courses
• Mixed-mode training
• Ordained Local Ministry schemes
• Choices about training
• Degrees and academic awards
• Contact with Candidates
• Contact during college training
• Contact during course training
• Change of college/course
• Maternity Leave
• Reports from training institutions on candidates
• Actions to be taken on the receipt of the Interim Report
• Title parishes
• Information about candidates moving dioceses
• Resources
• Appendix 7A - Bishops' Regulations for Training
• Appendix 7B - Validated Routes
• Appendix 7C - Statement of Financial Position
• Appendix 7D - Medical Declaration in conjunction with the Interim Report
• Appendix 7E - The Ministry Division Code of Procedure:  Report on Sponsored Candidates and Arrangements for First Appointments

A time of transition

Ministerial training has been the subject of extensive review over the last few years leading up to the report Formation for Ministry within a Learning Church (also known as the ‘Hind’ report) which was amended and approved by General Synod in July 2003.  A process of implementation was set in place which will take some years.  The main areas which will be affected are as follows:

• promoting formal opportunities for learning, under the heading of ‘Education for Discipleship’, for lay people and for those in the discernment phase of testing a vocation, i.e. before attending a Bishops’ Advisory Panel;
• planning for a coherent approach to Initial Ministerial Education which takes in the years before ordination and the first four years of ministry (‘reconfiguring IME’);
• dioceses, partner churches, theological colleges, courses and OLM schemes and Higher Education Institutions working together on a whole range of training provision through Regional Training Partnerships;
• a move from the current Bishops’ Regulations for Training based on age and the former selection categories to an approach which seeks to plot the pathways of individual candidates based on phases of vocational development and learning outcomes; 
• developing new patterns of training: formally approved mixed-mode schemes; combination of college and course type training; individual training programmes. 

As a result of these processes it is not yet possible to give full guidance about the shape of training in the future.  Inevitably we are still working within the old guidelines which are set out in this section, while taking up the newer approaches as they come on stream.  DDOs and principals of training institutions will be fully consulted on the new proposals and informed as they take effect.

The new selection categories and access to training

Training for ordained and accredited lay ministry normally takes place under the supervision of a theological college, course or OLM scheme.  As has been noted these standard patterns may develop in the future but the detailed work on the choice and regulation of pathways following the Hind report has not yet been done.

In the meantime the new selection categories will come into force from September 2005.  Until that date the Bishops’ Regulations will apply and from then, until the work on choice of pathway under Hind has been approved, the following will apply:

1. Candidates who are likely to be deployed locally e.g. in the parish, will normally train on the diocesan OLM scheme of the sponsoring diocese;
2. Candidates under 30 whose Sponsoring Papers indicate that they will be seeking a stipendiary post at the point of ordination will normally train at a theological college.  For theology graduates this will normally be for two years and for graduates in subjects other than theology and non-graduates for three years;
3. Candidates over 30 whose Sponsoring Papers indicate that they will be seeking a stipendiary post at the point of ordination (i.e. they would have been sponsored under the former stipendiary/non-stipendiary category) may train at a theological college for two years or on a regional course for three years;
4. Candidates over 30 whose Sponsoring Papers indicate that they will be seeking a non-stipendiary post at the point of ordination will normally train on a regional course for three years.

Exceptional cases can be reviewed by the Candidates Panel (see Section 8).  In considering matters of training DDOs will wish to bear in mind: 

• The advice given in this paragraph on the basis of Bishops’ Regulations for Training (Appendix 7A)
• the needs of the Church
• the educational potential and needs of the candidate
• the envisaged ministry of the candidate
• financial, domestic and other practical concerns.

The Churches’ Validation Framework and the content of training

As noted above, in their training candidates must fulfil Bishops’ requirements by completing a programme approved by the Ministry Division.  The content of training is regulated within the framework set out in the policy document, Mission in Ministry:  The Churches’ Validation Framework for Theological Education (2^nd edition, 2003).  (This is the successor to, and development of, Education for the Church’s Ministry, commonly known as ‘ACCM 22’.)  Under the Churches’ Validation Framework (CVF), each training institution is asked every five years to make proposals for its educational programme.  The Ministry Division’s Educational Validation Panel scrutinises these applications, discusses them with the College, Course or OLM scheme concerned, and, when it is satisfied, grants validation.  (The educational programmes approved by the Ministry Division are summarised in ‘Validated Routes’, Appendix 7B.)  The Ministry Division also appoints moderators to monitor and comment on the educational programme of institutions, assess the progress of candidates and make suggestions for curriculum development. 

In the light of this framework for initial training, it will be appreciated that the Colleges, Courses and OLM schemes have different approaches and emphases. Consequently, it is important for DDOs to build up a knowledge of the various training institutions.  Because of the Church validation process and the increasing number of universities willing to validate vocational training, choices about training have become more complex.  Selection Secretaries and the Theological Education Secretary are happy to give advice on training as required.

Theological Colleges

Colleges offer programmes of training of normally two or three years duration.  DDOs will need to acquaint themselves with the particular approaches and traditions of the theological colleges recognised by the House of Bishops.  Brief descriptions of the colleges are provided in the Ministry Division publication Theological Training in the Church of England.  New DDOs will be helped by a programme of visiting the theological colleges and acquainting themselves with their styles of training.

Regional Theological Courses

Regional courses provide a programme of three years’ duration for candidates over 30 years of age.  Regulations governing the educational programmes of regional courses are contained in Ordination Training on Courses (1989).  The regional pattern for the part-time courses was outlined in Theological Training, A Way Ahead (1992) and was further developed by the Ministry Division Steering Group on Colleges and Courses (1996).  DDOs will have opportunities to familiarise themselves with their local course or courses, either formally through membership of the governing body or informally through visiting the course.

Mixed-mode training

The two formal schemes of mixed-mode training, St John’s, Nottingham and the East Anglican MTC’s Peterborough Project, were approved by the House of Bishops following the report, Mixed-Mode Training (1995).  They were further reviewed, with positive results, by the Ministry Division in 2002 (‘A Review of Mixed-Mode Training, February 2003’).  Suitable candidates can be sent on these programmes without further advice being sought from the Ministry Division. 

Other programmes, for example ad hoc proposals for candidates with particular requirements, fall outside Bishops’ Regulations and each candidate’s case needs to be approved by the Candidates Panel (see guidance in Section 8) to ensure that the proposed training is suitable for the candidate concerned and to release funding from Vote 1.

Ordained Local Ministry schemes

In dioceses which have chosen to develop Ordained Local Ministry, the diocese’s own scheme offers three years of training for future OLMs. The training is typically marked by emphases on the Church’s ministry in the locality and on collaborative ministry.  OLM was the subject of a major review, published as Stranger in the Wings (1998).  Regulations in this area are contained in that publication and in Local Non-stipendiary Ministry  (1991). 

Choices about training

As noted above, the DDO will be called on to advise candidates on the choice of training.  One significant area of discretion lies in the training of those candidates for ordained ministry who are over the age of 30 who will exercise stipendiary ministry (see above) and may train either at a college or on a course.  DDOs will need to give advice to candidates in a number of areas and may come under considerable pressure from candidates regarding their personal preferences and domestic considerations.  In this situation, it is important to bear in mind the range of questions which need to be considered:

• Considerations about training need to bear in mind the future needs of the Church, i.e. how might the candidate best contribute to the ordained ministry of the Church of England?
• Decisions about training need to consider the educational needs and potential of the candidate in the light of their future ministry:  would the candidate be best trained in a college or on a course?  What sort of educational setting and programme would be most conducive to a candidate’s learning and formation for ministry?
• The preference of the candidate.  While the preference of the candidate is a significant factor in its own right, it will need to be balanced against other considerations.  In some cases the preference of the candidate may need to be challenged.  In general DDOs will need to explore with the candidate whether his/her preferences are well-informed and well based. 
• Considerations arising from the candidate’s employment status.  Does the form of employment allow a candidate the necessary time and space to devote to training on a part-time course? Would the candidate’s continuing employment enhance the candidate’s training?  Does the candidate need the extended common life and space provided by a theological college to get the best from training?  How might an unemployed candidate be enabled to train?
• Financial and domestic considerations, including the support of single students in vacations and the support of families, where applicable.  Are there particular domestic questions which require consideration?

Degrees and academic awards

Most forms of training in colleges and on regional courses now lead to an academic award.  As in higher education in general, there is an increasing diversity of awards.  The college or course, the DDO and the candidate, may together need to come to an agreement on the most appropriate educational route (see ‘Validated Routes’, Appendix 7B).  The criteria for choice outlined in the last paragraph are equally relevant here.  Particular attention will need to be paid to the appropriate balance between academic, ministerial and formational aspects of training.

Candidates on regional courses will normally be studying for a university award. Typically this might be for a DipHE  (which could be topped up to degree by study after ordination with the agreement of the ordaining Bishop) but some candidates may study for a BA or a vocational MA. Similarly, candidates in colleges may study at a variety of academic levels.  In the light of advice from DDOs and the college, choices may have to be made between a variety of routes:

1. a vocationally-oriented degree (typically BTh), often taught by college staff and validated by a university, which provides a complete educational programme as a basis for training.  Where such a degree has been validated under the Churches Validation Framework, it is open to candidates who have the appropriate academic qualifications and can complete it within the length of training allowed by Bishops’ Regulations for Training.
2. an undergraduate degree in theology (typically BA), taught by university staff, which provides specialised teaching in academic theology and will have to be complemented by other elements of study (typically in Worship and Pastoral Theology).  Bishops’ Regulations for Training indicate which candidates may be entered for such degrees.
3. the college’s own certificate/diploma.

Advice in this area may be sought from the Theological Education Secretary.

Most colleges and some courses have developed specialised programmes for theology graduates and/or graduates in other disciplines.  These may lead to the granting of a post-graduate degree (MTh or MA) or diploma.  Where these programmes have been validated under the CVF procedure, they are available to those candidates with the appropriate academic qualification.  Detailed guidance is provided in Section 8 on the subject of research degrees (MPhil, PhD, etc.), which require the approval of the Research Degrees Panel. 

Contact with candidates

DDOs will need to keep in contact with their candidates during training.

Contact during college training  

When candidates go to college, their training and the pastoral care of them and their families become primarily the college’s concern — but not exclusively so.  DDOs will need to be sensitive to this and keep in touch appropriately with candidates and with college authorities.  Points to consider include the following.

1. At the start of training there may be particular concern about the needs of the candidate or the candidate’s family.  The DDO should share such concerns with the college, particularly if they were not noted in the report from the Bishops’ Advisory Panel.
2. College staff should be trusted to work freely with candidates without the need for frequent reports. However, where there are serious problems it is important that the Bishop is informed.  The Bishop will receive a major college report at the end of the penultimate and the final year in training.  The penultimate report will end with an indication as to whether or not the principal expects to be able to recommend the ordination in a year’s time.  The Bishop will usually copy this for the DDO.  The report should be studied carefully.
3. Some candidates go through low periods at college.  The DDO might help by encouraging contact between the diocese and its candidates, for example by organising gatherings of candidates during vacations and encouraging parishes to keep in contact and to pray for their candidates.
4. Anxieties will often be focused on money.  The candidate should have a clear understanding of the financial arrangements at the start of training.  The DDO may have provision in the budget to help candidates cope with emergencies.
5. There will be occasions when a candidate ought to be encouraged not to proceed towards ordination.  Such decisions ought not to be avoided or put off.  The DDO may be in the best position to press the question.

Contact during course training  

In addition to the issues covered in the last paragraph, candidates on courses may have difficulty in keeping an appropriate balance between the obligations of work, study, parish and family. The DDO is likely to be in closer contact with candidates on courses and so able to check the situation.

Change of College/Course          

Occasionally candidates will wish to change their place of training.  Transfer to another diocese may be involved in the case of NSM candidates.  The transfer should be agreed by the diocese, in consultation with the training institutions and the Senior Selection Secretary, but the Bishop may choose to seek the advice of the Candidates Panel (see Section 8).  A suspension of training in order that the candidate can adjust to the new situation may be recommended.  Resumption after more than three months will require the advice of the Candidates Panel. (see Section 8)

Maternity Leave

The diocese and college/course will need to liaise with the candidate to come to a common understanding about arrangements for maternity leave. Please inform the Ministry Division if the candidate withdraws temporarily from training. It will be necessary to review the candidate’s finances, taking into account state benefits, diocesan provision and the possibility of a Ministry Division discretionary grant (applications to the Grants Secretary). Please consult the Senior Selection Secretary when the candidate wishes to re-enter training.

Reports from training institutions on candidates

Principals of theological colleges, courses and OLM schemes report on candidates to the sponsoring or ordaining Bishop twice during training.  An interim report is made in the penultimate year of training, which for most candidates is due on 20^th June.   Final reports must be with the Bishop by 31^st May for Petertide ordinations or four weeks before ordination at Michaelmas.  Full guidance on this area is given in Preparing for Ordained Ministry. Good Practice in Assessment and in Reporting on Candidates within initial training, Ministry Division, 2002.

Actions to be taken on the receipt of the Interim Report

Dioceses continue to be responsible for the areas outlined below while a candidate is in training.  In particular, on receipt of the interim report from the training institution the DDO should:

1. ask candidates who intend to exercise stipendiary ministry to fill in the Statement of Financial Position (finance paragraph in Section 3 and Appendix 7C) for a second time. 
2. ensure that the candidate fills in the Medical Declaration in conjunction with the Interim Report (health issues paragraph in Section 3 and Appendix 7D).  Candidates are asked to return this declaration by 20^th July to the Ministry Division’s Senior Medical Adviser. 

The DDO will need to follow up any issues if necessary.

Title parishes

Once training has begun, a candidate's attention should be drawn to The Ministry Division Code of Procedure:  Reports on Sponsored Candidates and Arrangements for First Appointments (Appendix 7E).  Diocesan procedure should be explained at an early stage, including where responsibility for this work lies and circumstances in which a candidate may be released to another diocese.  The identification of training parishes and the support of training incumbents will require careful consideration. Liaison with those responsible for the first years of continuing ministerial education will be essential.

While dioceses will want to plan in outline for placing deacons, it is important not to enter into discussions about a particular title post before the receipt of the interim report on 20^th June.  Candidates’ time in training is already short and they need to be settled in training for the duration of the first year (or in the case of three-year candidates, the first two years).  Further, the interim report itself is an important part of the information about a candidate that should be taken into account when decisions about title posts are made. 

Information about candidates moving dioceses

Candidates will sometimes move dioceses, for example, in searching for a title post.  In this situation there needs to be clarity about, firstly, the availability of reports on candidates from training institutions and, secondly, access to the information about the candidate held by the sponsoring diocese.  Where a candidate is seeking a title post in a diocese other than his or her sponsoring diocese, the (potential) ordaining Bishop may:

1. request the interim and/or final report from the training institution which the training institution should provide on request;

2. request a copy of relevant papers from the sponsoring diocese’s file on the candidate.  Two principles need to be borne in mind.  First, the need to inform the potential ordaining Bishop about the candidate so that he can make an informed decision about ordination.  Second, the need to comply with the Data Protection Act  (including the need to be accurate, up-to-date, relevant and so on). 

Resources

Ordination Training on Courses, ACCM Occasional Paper No. 30, 1989

Theological Training:  A Way Ahead,Church House Publishing, 1992

Theological Colleges:  The Next Steps,Church House Publishing, 1993

Mixed-Mode Training:  Current Proposals for Mixed-Mode Training in the Church of England, ABM Ministry Paper No. 10, 1995

Steering Group on Colleges and Courses:  Final Report to ABM and the House of Bishops, ABM Ministry Paper No. 12, 1996

Stranger in the Wings:  A report on Local Non-Stipendiary Ministry, ABM Policy Paper No. 8, 1998

Issues in Theological Education and Training, a report by the Venerable Gordon W. Kuhrt, ABM Ministry paper no. 15, 2^nd edition, 1998

Mission and Ministry:  The Churches’ Validation Framework for Theological Education, Ministry Division, 1999; second edition, with revised appendices and ecumenical statements, 2003

Theological Training in the Church of England, Ministry Division, 2000

Preparing for Ordained Ministry.  Good Practice in Assessment and in Reporting on Candidates within initial training, Ministry Division, 2002

‘A Review of Mixed-Mode Training, February 2003’, a review chaired by Canon Leslie Morley, available on request from the Ministry Division

Formation for Ministry within a Learning Church (the Hind report), GS 1496, Church House Publishing, 2003

Appendix 7A

Bishops’ Regulations for Training

The Selection Categories referred to in these Regulations will be in operation until the end of August 2005, see the first two headings in this Section. These Regulations will continue to apply to all candidates sponsored under the Categories listed at (iii) below who attended a Bishops’ Selection Conference before the end of August 2005.

Selection

1.    Candidates should be commended in the first place by someone who has pastoral responsibility for them, to the Diocesan Director of Ordinands or Diocesan Lay Ministry Adviser.  Before being accepted for training they are required:

i)      to have the necessary educational qualifications or show that they have the potential to benefit from formal courses of training;

ii)     to satisfy medical requirements;

iii)    to be sponsored by their Bishop for attendance at a Bishops’ Selection Conference according to the following categories:

Ordained Local Ministry;

Ordained Ministry (Permanent Non-Stipendiary Ministry);

Ordained Ministry (Stipendiary Ministry and Non- Stipendiary Ministry);

Accredited Lay Ministry (Permanent Non-Stipendiary Ministry);

Accredited Lay Ministry (Stipendiary Ministry and Non-Stipendiary Ministry).

2.    Where it is envisaged that a candidate will exercise a non-stipendiary ministry from the time of ordination such a candidate should normally be at least 30 and well established in a secular occupation before entering training.