Selection Criteria
Ministry in the Church of England
Candidates must be baptised and confirmed and regular communicants of the Church of England who are familiar with its traditions and practices. (Although we realise that many members of our chaplaincies come from other backgrounds, we can only train people for licensed ministry in the Church of England.)
Vocation
Candidates should be able to speak of their own sense of vocation to ministry and mission, referring both to personal conviction and to the extent to which others have confirmed it. Their sense of vocation should be obedient, realistic and informed.
Faith
Candidates should show an understanding of the Christian faith and a desire to deepen that understanding. They should demonstrate personal commitment to Christ and a capacity to communicate the Gospel.
Spirituality and worship
Candidates should show evidence of commitment to a spiritual discipline which involves individual and corporate prayer and worship. Their spiritual practice should be such as to sustain and energise them in their daily lives.
Personality and character
Candidates should be sufficiently mature and stable to show that they can sustain the demanding role of a minister and to face change and pressure in a flexible and balanced way. They should be seen to be people of integrity.
Relationships
Candidates should demonstrate self-awareness and self-acceptance as a basis for developing open and healthy personal and pastoral relationships as ministers.
Potential for training
Candidates should be capable of undertaking satisfactorily a course of study and ministerial preparation with an open and enquiring mind.
Leadership and collaboration
Candidates should show the potential to offer wise leadership in the Church community and to some extent beyond it. They should also show ability and willingness to co-operate with other ministers and to work as team members as well as leaders.
These categories are intended to show up potential rather than looking for the finished article. You are being selected for training, and there is no expectation that you will already be fulfilling the role of a Reader. There is, however, an expectation that you will demonstrate a calling to the ministry of a Reader and a commitment to the nature of the ministry.
Across the categories, some of the key qualities are maturity in faith and life; a strong awareness of self, God and others; an open and enquiring mind; and an understanding of the joy and privilege of being called to preach the Gospel in the context of public worship.
In the situation of the Diocese in Europe, two further criteria must also be taken into consideration:
Proficiency in English
Demonstrated proficiency in English is a requirement for all candidates for whom English is not a first language.
In a diocese in which some of those exploring their vocation have already reached retirement age, you should be aware of a final criterion:
Age
Candidates for Reader ministry will generally be aged between 23 and 70yrs old. If you are outside these age limits but feel strongly called to this ministry, your case will be considered on its merits. You should note, however, that permission to officiate rather than a licence will be issued to those over seventy.
You should be aware that acceptance for training does not mean automatic admission. Your training will be reviewed regularly, and a final decision will be made towards the end of the course.
If you are already a licensed Lay Preacher or equivalent in a church with which the Church of England is in communion or has entered into an ecumenical agreement, you may be able to apply for Permission to Officiate or for admission as a Reader under the Ecumenical Canons.
Please contact the Warden of Readers.