The Iona School for Ministry offers comprehensive formation for persons serving in or called to lay ministries. If you hope to strengthen your service to Christ in the Church and in the world, Iona’s programs may be right for you. Lay formation may be taken in one-year increments. The three tracks together make up the Lay Theological Formation track.
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Lay Theological Formation 

  • Lay Preacher Track
  • Lay Worship Leader Track
  • Lay Missional Developer Track
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Is God calling you to join the chorus of voices proclaiming the Good News in your own generation? The classes for this program focus on Biblical studies and preaching, with additional courses in cultural competency and the Anglican tradition. Successful completion of the program qualifies participants, on the recommendation of their rectors and approval of the bishop, to be licensed lay preachers.
Is God calling you to take a place of lay leadership in the Church’s worship life? The courses focus on church history, the Book of Common Prayer, and worship/liturgy planning, and includes required field work focused on leading worship. Successful completion of the program qualifies participants, on the recommendation of their rectors and approval of the bishop, to be licensed Worship Leader.
Is God calling you to start or sustain a missional community ministry or help your congregation engage more deeply with God’s mission in the world? The Missional Developer track offers classes on the core competencies for starting and leading missional communities. Courses include theology/ethics, applied apologetics, practical courses on leadership. Courses in leadership will include community engagement and developing others to lead. Successful completion of the program qualifies participants, on the recommendation of their rectors and approval of the bishop, to be licensed Evangelists.

Prerequisite: either the Lay Preacher or Lay Worship leader track
The Iona School also offers formation for bivocational priests and deacons. Learn More.

Curriculum Overview

Each lay track student will take 10 Academic classes and 20 Ministry classes including Fieldwork Supervisory classes. 
​Reading and field work assignments takes place at home between the weekends. 
Preacher 
Worship Leader
Missional Developer
Bible: Old Testament I – V
History I – IX
Theology I – IV
Bible: New Testament I – V
Introduction to Theology
Ethics I – IV
Homiletics I – IV
Familiarity with the BCP
Contemporary Apologetics I & II
Liturgies of the Church Year I & II
History and Theology of the BCP I & II
Missional Ministry I – V
Anglican Spirituality I & II
Introduction to the Daily Office
Community Partnerships through ABCD
Stewardship of Self
Introduction to Holy Eucharist
Holy Currencies: Sustainable Ministry
Theological Reflection on Life & Ministry
Introduction to Liturgical Prayer
Cultural Competencies I – IV
Introduction to Pastoral Care
Holy Eucharist, Prayers of the People I & II
Hispanic Ministries
Listening as a Spiritual Practice
Practicum: Baptism
Leading as Steward
Addiction and Recovery
Christian Rites of Initiation
Leading Change
Sacramentality and Justice
Liturgies of the Church Year I & II
Leading Small Groups
Christian Formation
Intro to Liturgical Theology I & II
Conflict I & II
Ministry of all the Baptized
Hospital Visits
Dare to Lead
Lay Leadership & Licensing
End of Life Ministries
Healthy & Unhealthy Small Congregations
Intro to Holy Eucharist
Healing Liturgies
Pastoral Theology I: Trinity and Community
Burials
Pastoral Theology II: Family Systems
Music for Small Churches
Working with a Church Staff
For those intending to take all three tracks, the Deans recommend starting with Preacher, moving to Worship Leader, and finally to Missional Developer. Those who complete the three-year program may apply for licenses as Pastoral Leader and/or Catechist.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition for Diocese of Texas members is $3,000 per year and includes hotel accommodations for two nights, meals, snacks, student notebook and theological study guides. This rate does not include travel or textbooks. Scholarships are available upon request.
Prospective students for Lay Tracks must submit an application
directly to the Iona School Administrator. Acceptance
​to the Iona School is contingent upon approval of the deans.
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