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Toolkit for trainee ministers

8 October 2005

A toolkit for trainee ministers is set to help meet the increasing demand for accessible, practical resources for those venturing into recognised ministry within the Church. Learning for Ministry, written by two key figures in ministerial training, is a ‘rough guide’ designed to de-bunk the myths and reduce the fear factor that many who are called to lay or ordained ministry feel when they have to return to formal study.

 

As the number of people licensed to minister in the Church of England on a voluntary basis continues to increase year-on-year, and the number of new clergy consistently remains at around 500 each year, this resource arrives at a helpful time. Its honest approach offers readers of all church backgrounds an excellent starting point from which to consider how they might formalise their vocation.

 

Learning for Ministry’s user-friendly style draws on the authors’ combined experience of more than 50 years in ordained ministry, making it essential reading for all those thinking about, or embarking on, a course of training for lay or ordained ministry in the Methodist Church, the Church of England and all other churches. Beginning with a sketch map of the four interlinked areas of exploration (knowing God better; knowing yourself better; understanding the Church; and understanding God’s world), each chapter concludes with reflective questions which aim to prompt the reader to explore their own thoughts and experiences. The book also offers a rich seam of ideas for further reading.

 

The authors, Steven Croft and Roger Walton, worked closely together for five years at St John’s College, Durham, training future Anglican and Methodist ministers at Cranmer Hall and the Wesley Study Centre respectively. Last year, Steven was appointed as Archbishops’ Missioner and leader of Fresh Expressions, encouraging new avenues for church life across the Church of England and the Methodist Church alongside traditional ones. Before becoming Director of the Wesley Study Centre at Durham, Roger headed up the Open Learning Centre for the Methodist Church.

 

Steven says: ‘Throughout my eight years at Cranmer Hall I continually felt the need for a handbook that everyone engaged in learning for different forms of ministry could use as a guide to their studies.  People often enter any kind of training a bit apprehensive or full of misconceptions about what it will be like.  The book is designed to help people navigate through that vital first six months and get there bearings.’ 

 

‘All learning for ministry is learning for a church in mission so there is a very strong connection to what I am doing in my role as Archbishops’ Missioner.  I hope the lessons will be as useful to pioneer ministers in fresh expressions as they are to those preparing for service in more traditional churches.’

 

Philip Luscombe, Principal of Wesley House, Cambridge, recommends Learning for Ministry as ‘an excellent - and ecumenically aware - practical guide for those about to begin training for lay and ordained ministries, and those considering their call’. The publication has also been praised by students currently making their way through training. Sarah Partridge, currently in her initial year at the South East Institute for Theological Education, described the book as ‘a comprehensive account of what to expect during ministerial training. I would recommend this book to anyone engaged in the selection process or about to embark on a training course. I wish it had been written a year ago!’

Learning for Ministry ispublished by Church House Publishing, priced £12.99, and is available from all Christian bookshops and Church House Bookshop, 31 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BN, tel. 020-7898 1300, e mail bookshop@c-of-e.org.uk, or on the web at: www.chbookshop.co.uk (mail order available).