The diocese’s School for Ministry has announced it will no longer offer “general studies” courses to anyone who wishes to enroll but instead will concentrate on training those seeking ordination and those seeking lay licensure who are endorsed by their congregations.

The changes are a “quantum shift” from the school serving anyone with a sense of God’s call to ministry, to those who are being lifted up by their faith communities, according to Archdeacon Dennis McManis, the school’s dean.

Starting this fall, all students must be formally nominated for diaconal formation or lay licensure before enrolling. Students will be expected to have completed a parish-based discernment process and have formal support from their clergy and vestry. The discernment and nomination process must be complete by mid-August.

Old model didn’t work
McManis says the diocesan community did not support the general studies concept. Also, trying to present an entire course in one day simply didn’t work. “There is simply too much information to present and learn in too limited a time,” he said.

Additionally, the clergy in the southern half of the diocese complained about the travel time needed for their parishioners to come to class at DaySpring or churches in the central part of the diocese. McManis says while most courses next year will be taught at DaySpring Conference Center in Parrish, some will be available to be viewed live on the Internet from regional locations.

A new model
McManis said a task force consisting of the bishop and canon to the ordinary, along with the chairs of the Commission on Ministry and the school, determined earlier this year the best course of action was to shrink the primary mission of the school to diaconal training.

However, after hearing from the board of the School for Ministry and the Council on Deacons, it was announced the school will have three distinct tracks:
Diaconal Formation, for those seeking ordination. Courses include Old and New Testament study, theology, church history, homiletics, pastoral care and more;

Lay Licensure, for those recommended by their parishes to be trained in one of seven areas of lay ministry requiring a license from the bishop — Eucharistic visitor, Eucharistic minister, pastoral leader, worship leader, preacher, catechist and evangelist. Courses such as anti-racism training and the Safeguarding God’s Children training would be included in this track; and

Congregational Resources, to respond to needs expressed by parishes. The classes will be offered in regional and parish locations at various times and in a variety of formats. Topics could range from stress management to financial literacy to leadership training.

Other changes for the school include:

• The new school model will be a multi-course class day on a semester basis;
• Each student will be assigned a mentor;
• Each third-year diaconal student will be assigned to a different parish prior to receiving their formal assignment upon ordination.

Nominations sought
With only a short time until the start of classes in September, the school is asking rectors and vicars to help by identifying people as potential students. They must complete a discernment and nomination process no later than Aug. 16. For more information, contact Deacon Dennis McManis at (941) 556-0315.