Reader and Ordained Local Ministry

The School of Theology and Ministry Studies was created in 2004. It is a partnership between the Diocese of Lincoln, the Cathedral Foundation, Bishop Grosseteste University College and the University of Lincoln.

It exists to promote the study of theology within the County of Lincolnshire and the two Unitary Authorities of North and North East Lincolnshire, and to contribute to the work of Initial Continuing Ministerial Education, and Continuing Ministerial Education within the Diocese of Lincoln.

The Lincoln Ministry Training Course receives educational validation for its academic modules through the University of Lincoln, which also provides the necessary academic infrastructure to support quality assurance and the development of the appropriate patterns of teaching and learning within the University context.

All Diocesan candidates who are training for Ordained Local or Reader Ministry are enrolled as students of the School and thereby of the University, thus accessing all its facilities. The School draws down public funding for all students enrolled on its programmes.

The Lincoln School of Theology seeks to prepare candidates for ordained and licensed ministry through a three year training programme consisting of the study of theology, spiritual discipline and self-development, and practical ministerial skills.

Although the three areas are distinguishable, they are also related, and should not be understood as being mutually exclusive, as each aspect of the programme relates to and informs the others.

For the most part, the pursuit of theological study is undertaken within the modular academic programme. Spiritual discipline and self-development form the central concern of the formation programme. The enhancement of practical ministerial skills is the proper concern of the Local Training Group and is set within the context of the student's parish; this incorporates a training programme which stipulates the ministerial tasks which Ordinands and Reader candidates should undertake, and which should provide sufficient evidence of a minimum competence and understanding of those tasks; this programme is supported by the Reflective Ministerial Practice module which runs over years two and three.

Overall Aims

1   To develop the ministerial resources of the local church to enable it to be a growing, worshipping, celebrating, proclaiming and caring Christian presence in each community in the Diocese.

2   To enable Ordained Local Ministers and Readers to be reminders, interpreters, exemplars and instruments of God's mission and ministry in the Church and in the world.

3 To prepare Ordained Local Ministers and Readers to fulfil the public representative role of ordained and licensed ministry, to act under authority and to carry authority and take responsibility, as appropriate.

Objectives

4 To prepare candidates to exercise collaborative leadership in the church's life and worship, and to encourage the local church to work together in mission, ministry and evangelism.

5 To equip candidates with the necessary theological knowledge and expertise which will enable them to reflect upon, interpret and communicate the Christian faith in today's world.

6 To equip candidates with the necessary resources for a growing awareness of themselves and others, which acknowledges their limitations and which is ready to refer to others.

7 To prepare candidates to be spiritual leaders in their community and to share their faith with others.

8 To prepare candidates to exercise pastoral care in their locality.

9 To form Ordinands and Readers so that they are examples of a Christ-like life in their church and community.

10 To prepare candidates to work collaboratively alongside other ministers with whom they are required to share ministerial responsibilities, and also with their congregations.

11 To encourage candidates to assume continuing responsibility for their own spiritual and ministerial formation as the source of their vision, motivation and sustenance in ministry.

Contacts:

The Revd Canon Dr Mark Hocknull  - Head of School of Theology and Ministry Training

The Revd Sally Myers - Director of Studies