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Priest Track |
The Iona School for Ministry educates and trains people for bi-vocational ministry.
By definition a bi-vocational priest is an ordained minister who serves congregations that are unable to afford a fulltime priest. Those serving in this ministry are either still employed in a fulltime career or are retired. Priests within the Diocese of Texas are assigned to small churches serving as non-stipendiary vicars, head-of-congregations, or pastoral leaders.
By definition a bi-vocational priest is an ordained minister who serves congregations that are unable to afford a fulltime priest. Those serving in this ministry are either still employed in a fulltime career or are retired. Priests within the Diocese of Texas are assigned to small churches serving as non-stipendiary vicars, head-of-congregations, or pastoral leaders.
The Iona School for Ministry offers a three-year program of required study, including a rigorous curriculum necessary for ordained ministry including two years of significant field work. Following graduation and completion of the discernment process, students are ordained into the priesthood.
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Deacon Track |
Deacons are members of one of three distinct orders of ordained ministry (with bishops and presbyters). In the Episcopal Church a deacon exercises "a special ministry of servanthood" directly under the deacon's bishop, serving all people and especially those in need (BCP, p. 543). This definition reflects the practice of the early church, in which deacons were ordained "not to the priesthood but to the servanthood [diakonia, "ministry"] of the bishop" (Hippolytus, Apostolic Tradition). In the ancient Greek-speaking world the term diakonos meant an intermediary who acted or spoke for a superior. Christian deacons were agents of the bishop, often with oversight of charity. As they proclaim the gospel, lead intercessions, wait at the Eucharistic table, and direct the order of the assembly, deacons act as sacred messengers, agents, and attendants. The revival of the order of deacons in the twentieth century has emphasized social care and service. Many bishops in the Episcopal Church expect their deacons to promote care of the needy outside the church.
Deacons are members of one of three distinct orders of ordained ministry (with bishops and presbyters). In the Episcopal Church a deacon exercises "a special ministry of servanthood" directly under the deacon's bishop, serving all people and especially those in need (BCP, p. 543). This definition reflects the practice of the early church, in which deacons were ordained "not to the priesthood but to the servanthood [diakonia, "ministry"] of the bishop" (Hippolytus, Apostolic Tradition). In the ancient Greek-speaking world the term diakonos meant an intermediary who acted or spoke for a superior. Christian deacons were agents of the bishop, often with oversight of charity.
As they proclaim the gospel, lead intercessions, wait at the Eucharistic table, and direct the order of the assembly, deacons act as sacred messengers, agents, and attendants. The revival of the order of deacons in the twentieth century has emphasized social care and service. Many bishops in the Episcopal Church expect their deacons to promote care of the needy outside the church.
As they proclaim the gospel, lead intercessions, wait at the Eucharistic table, and direct the order of the assembly, deacons act as sacred messengers, agents, and attendants. The revival of the order of deacons in the twentieth century has emphasized social care and service. Many bishops in the Episcopal Church expect their deacons to promote care of the needy outside the church.
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Lay Track |
The Iona School for Ministry offers four courses of study for lay leaders who wish to enhance their spiritual formation, make a deeper commitment to the mission of the church, and/or lead missional communities. All programs are held at Camp Allen.
This is a 3-year (6 semesters) program that prepares lay leaders for ministry in missional communities, and or assisting local parishes through preaching, teaching and ministry formation. It also provides a significant theological foundation for persons called to work as lay professionals in the church. All courses are taken at the Iona School for Ministry. Successful completion of the program qualifies graduates, on the recommendation of their rector and approval of the bishop, to be licensed as lay preacher, worship leader, lay evangelist and catechist.
This track consists of 10 sessions, each held once a month from September through June, for three years. Sessions begin Friday evening and end Sunday lunch. Tuition is $2600* a year and includes hotel accommodations for two nights, meals, snacks, student notebook, theological study guides, liturgical supplies and more.
*Tuition is subject to change.
This track consists of 10 sessions, each held once a month from September through June, for three years. Sessions begin Friday evening and end Sunday lunch. Tuition is $2600* a year and includes hotel accommodations for two nights, meals, snacks, student notebook, theological study guides, liturgical supplies and more.
*Tuition is subject to change.
This program requires 1 1/2 years (3 semesters) of study at the Iona School for Ministry. The courses focus on theological studies, liturgy, and homiletics. Successful completion of the program qualifies graduates, on the recommendation of their rector and approval of the bishop, to be licensed as lay preacher.
This track consists of 15 sessions total, each held once a month. The first 10 sessions (two semesters), run from September through June. The third semester runs from September through January. Each session begins Friday evening and ends with Sunday lunch. Tuition is $1300* a semester, $3900* total, and includes hotel accommodations for two nights, meals, snacks, student notebook, theological study guides, liturgical supplies and more.
*Tuition is subject to change.
This track consists of 15 sessions total, each held once a month. The first 10 sessions (two semesters), run from September through June. The third semester runs from September through January. Each session begins Friday evening and ends with Sunday lunch. Tuition is $1300* a semester, $3900* total, and includes hotel accommodations for two nights, meals, snacks, student notebook, theological study guides, liturgical supplies and more.
*Tuition is subject to change.
This 1-year track provides practical and theological ministry courses, along with fieldwork supervision and reflection for those leading missional efforts out of Episcopal congregations. This track offers classes on the core competencies for starting and leading missional communities, as well as requiring fieldwork so that students learn through experience. Upon completion and with support of their rector or head-of-congregation, graduates are eligible for the license of evangelist, in accordance with Canon III.4.9 of the Episcopal Church.
This track is designed to support those already leading missional communities yet desiring more formal training or official authorization of the Church. It will additionally provide formation for those hoping to start missional expressions who desire more preparation.
The Mission Developer track consists of 10 sessions, held one weekend a month, a day-long orientation to the program held in August, and two project review sessions to be scheduled. The school sessions run from September through June with each beginning Friday evening and ending with Sunday lunch. Tuition is $2600* and includes hotel accommodations for two nights, meals, snacks, student notebook, theological study guides, liturgical supplies and more.
*Tuition is subject to change.
This track is designed to support those already leading missional communities yet desiring more formal training or official authorization of the Church. It will additionally provide formation for those hoping to start missional expressions who desire more preparation.
The Mission Developer track consists of 10 sessions, held one weekend a month, a day-long orientation to the program held in August, and two project review sessions to be scheduled. The school sessions run from September through June with each beginning Friday evening and ending with Sunday lunch. Tuition is $2600* and includes hotel accommodations for two nights, meals, snacks, student notebook, theological study guides, liturgical supplies and more.
*Tuition is subject to change.
This is a 1 year (2 semesters) of study at the Iona School for Ministry. The courses focus on theological studies, church history, and worship/liturgy planning. Successful completion of the program qualifies graduates, on the recommendation of their rector and approval of the bishop, to be licensed as worship leader.
This track consists of 10 sessions total, each held once a month. The sessions run from September through June with each beginning Friday evening and ending with Sunday lunch. Tuition is $2600* and includes hotel accommodations for two nights, meals, snacks, student notebook, theological study guides, liturgical supplies and more.
*Tuition is subject to change.
This track consists of 10 sessions total, each held once a month. The sessions run from September through June with each beginning Friday evening and ending with Sunday lunch. Tuition is $2600* and includes hotel accommodations for two nights, meals, snacks, student notebook, theological study guides, liturgical supplies and more.
*Tuition is subject to change.
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Admission to the lay programs of the Iona School for Ministry requires a completed application form and required documents, a letter of support from the rector or head-of-congregation, acceptance by the Iona Dean for Diaconal and Lay Formation, and agreement by the Bishop Suffragan who oversees the Iona School. Candidates for the Mission Developer Track also must submit a missional project proposal which is accepted by the Missioner for Missional Communities.
Out-of-diocese students. Those from other dioceses interested in this program must have the support of their rector or head-of-congregation and their bishop. When their applications are complete, they are placed on a waiting list and admitted if class size permits. Priority goes to students from the Diocese of Texas. |
