Frequently Asked Questions: Ordination Questions
- How do I become an ordinand in the Church of England?
- Could I begin my theological study before applying to a diocese to become an ordinand?
- How does a person from overseas become an ordinand in the Church of England?
- I am from outside the UK and want to be ordained. Could I be trained at Ridley?
How do I become an ordinand in the Church of England?
Normally before you can be ordained in the Church of England, you need experience of regular attendance and involvement in an Anglican church. This helps you test whether you really want to 'marry' yourself to the denomination's way of doing things, and it helps to demonstrate to the larger Church that you are serious about committing yourself to the demands of its ordained ministry. It is also important to test your calling by asking those who know you well whether this ministry would really be suitable for you.
Next, you would normally approach your parish priest to ask whether he or she thinks ordained ministry would be appropriate for you. Do you have the gifts, abilities, temperament, etc., and would the vicar be willing to support your application to the Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO) for training? The DDO is the person in each diocese (geographical region of the Church) who has the responsibility to screen applicants for ordination. Normally it is crucial for your own vicar to support your application to the DDO.
The DDO has the authority to say no to an applicant, or to require more church attendance, study, or other preparatory experiences before approving a person's application. Once the DDO gives approval, the person normally meets the Bishop, who also must give his approval. Then the applicant must go to a selection conference (called a "Bishops' Advisory Panel" - BAP for short) run by a group of Selectors who serve the bishops of the Church. If applicants are approved by the panel that run their particular selection conference, they qualify to begin training for ministry at a theological college (seminary) or regional course. This training is currently paid for by the national Church.
If ordinands are under 32 and have not done a theology degree before, they train for three years. If they are over 32 or if they have already done a significant amount of theological study, they train for two years, unless they apply for and receive permission to train for a different length of time. For more information, go to http://www.cofe-ministry.org.uk
Could I begin my theological study before applying to a diocese to become an ordinand?
Yes, but you would have to pay for it, and it would not necessarily help your chances of being selected. If you were to go ahead and begin a course of theological study without a diocese sponsoring you (i.e. as an independent student), you could of course begin to develop roots in the city and diocese where you train. Sometimes people who do this and finish a degree in theology go on to be sponsored for ordination, but the process is not automatic and certainly not guaranteed. Much has to do with you as a person and your gifts. You should also be aware that the questions asked of applicants at selection conferences can become more difficult for those who have already done theology.
How does a person from overseas become an ordinand in the Church of England?
If you want to be ordained in England, you would have to find a sponsoring diocese and convince them that you intended to stay long-term. Normally the DDO will not encourage you unless you have already lived here for at least a couple of years before applying. The road to ordination in the UK is a long and winding one, and a local vicar must first support your application to a diocese, which then begins to test your sense of vocation (calling).
I am from outside the UK and want to be ordained. Could I be trained at Ridley?
Yes, if your bishop approves, assuming you have already begun the process of seeking ordination with your diocese. Your sponsoring diocese would have to agree your course of study over here. Different dioceses have different requirements and expectations, so it is possible that only part of your training could be done here because of the practical differences in parish administration, liturgy, etc. between the Church of England and other Anglican jurisdictions. If you did an ordination-preparation course with us, you may be asked to do a further year at a seminary in your home country before you could be ordained there.
In the past, we have had several North American students complete the Cambridge University two-year BA (Tripos) degree as part of their ordination training. One could also do our one-year certificate course (CertHE), the two- or three-year BTh or a customized programme of study for a year or less as part of a degree programme at your own seminary (this requires negotiation with that seminary). Some North American ordinands come to Ridley in the middle year of their MDiv training to get something of an English experience.
If you have not begun the process of seeking ordination and simply wish to study theology with us, you are also welcome to apply. You should be aware however that theological study does not in any way guarantee an eventual ordination.
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