The Elizabeth Pathway

The Elizabeth Pathway is a discernment and ordination training pathway approved by the Church of England, which takes place over two years. At Spiritus Theological College, we offer this pathway on a two-year part-time basis. Funding is provided by the Church of England for both years, with the second year dependent on you being recommended for ordination training by the end of the first year.

 

The Pathway is for those who already have extensive leadership and ministry experience and is generally for those between 53 and 65 years of age. It is for those who will be self-supporting Associate Ministers, rather than Incumbents.

The first year involves the formal discernment process, including the Stage 1 and Stage 2 Panels of the Shared Discernment Process, as well as participating in Spiritus Theological College Study weekends and contextual training opportunities.

 

The second year, which is conditional on having been recommended for training for ordained ministry, involves participating in Spiritus Theological College Study Weekends, our annual Easter School and contextual training opportunities.

 

There are seven Study Weekends a year; six take place at Marjon University, Plymouth and one is online.

 

You will have the opportunity to gain a Certificate Theology, Ministry and Mission, or for those who already hold a Certificate (completed in the last five years), a Diploma in Theology, Ministry and Mission, validated by Durham University under the Common Awards programme.

In the first instance, speak to your Incumbent or other local minister, who will then put you in touch with the Diocesan Director or Ordinands. If you would like further information about the Elizabeth Pathway at Spiritus Theological College or any of our other courses, please contact info@spirituscollege.ac.uk and we will be more than happy to provide any further information and invite you along to one of our Study Weekends.

Attendance at:

  • 6 in-person Study Weekends and 1 online Study Weekend (Saturday and Sunday)
  • 7 Formation Groups (either online or in-person)

 

Completion of:

All candidates:

  • A Learning Journal after each Study Weekend (i.e., 7 Learning Journals)

 

For accredited pathways (Certificate and Diploma):

  • 2 modules for credit (equivalent to 10,000 words of assessment)
  • Participation in 2 unaccredited modules (equivalent to 4000 words of assessment)

 

For the unaccredited pathway:

  • Participation in 4 unaccredited modules (equivalent to 9500 words of assessment)

 

Contextual Training:

Regular and consistent engagement in their home church/context, including:

  • Experience in some formal ministerial role at least once a month
  • Meeting with their Training Incumbent/Parish Mentor roughly every 6-8 weeks
  • Seeking out opportunities to gain other ministry and mission experience as appropriate in regard to personal commitments and context.

Attendance at:

As with year 1, as well as:

  • 7 online Bible Study Lectures (on the Wednesday evening before each Study Weekend)
  • Residential Easter School (usually roughly five-days during the Easter Holidays)

 

Completion of:

All candidates:

  • A Learning Journal after each Study Weekend (i.e., 7 Learning Journals), which they will then discuss with their Journal Tutor

 

For accredited pathways (Certificate and Diploma):

  • 4 modules taken for credit (equivalent to 20,000 words of assessment)

 

For unaccredited pathways:

  • Participation in 4 unaccredited modules (equivalent to roughly 10,000 words of assessment)

 

Contextual Training

As in Year 1, with the addition of Participation in a Long Placement (of roughly 4-8 weeks/60 hours), which is in a context different from their home church/context

Certifiate in Theology, Ministry and Mission:

The following modules will be taken. Even when modules are not being taken for credit, some evidence of learning is required

 

Year 1:

  • Call and Vocation (for credit)
  • Who is Jesus? (for credit)
  • Pastoral Care (not for credit)
  • Human Identity, Theology, Vocation and Professional Practice (not for credit)

 

Year 2:

  • All Year 2 modules are taken for credit
  • Introduction to the Bible
  • Introduction to Christian Doctrine and History
  • Foundations for Ministry and Worship in Context
  • Foundations for Reflective Practice in Context (Long)

 

Diploma in Theology, Ministry and Mission:

The following modules will be taken.

 

Year 1:

  • Preparing for Denominational Ministry (for credit)
  • Who is Jesus? (for credit)
  • Pastoral Care (not for credit)
  • Human Identity, Theology, Vocation and Professional Practice (not for credit)

 

Year 2:

  • Bible in Context
  • Independent Learning Project (Long) - with a doctrine focus, based on lectures shared with third year students
  • Developing Ministry and Mission in Context
  • Reflective  Practice in Context (Long)

 

Unaccredited route:

You will participate in the same modules as the Certificate programme above, but will be asked to complete substantially less work and often in a different format.