Each track consists of 10 weekend sessions taught in community at Camp Allen, one weekend (Fri. evening – Sunday lunch) each month from September to June. Reading and field work takes place at home between the weekends. Tuition for Diocese of Texas members is $3000 per year and includes hotel accommodations for two nights, meals, snacks, student notebook, and theological study guides. This does not include travel or textbooks. Scholarships are available.
|
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.
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.
|
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.
|
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.
“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.”
– 1 Corinthians 12:7-8,11
Jesus commissioned his disciples to “go out and preach the good news, that the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 10:7), including not only the Twelve, but seventy others (Luke 10:1-12). Is God calling you to join the chorus of voices proclaiming the Good News, in your own generation?
This program requires 1 year (2 semesters) of study at the Iona School for Ministry. The classes for this program focus on Biblical studies and homiletics courses, with additional courses in cultural competency and the Anglican tradition. While not in session, students will engage in parish field work, and each monthly Iona session will include fieldwork supervision to reflect these experiences. Successful completion of the program qualifies graduates, on the recommendation of their rector and approval of the bishop, to be licensed as lay preacher.
– 1 Corinthians 12:7-8,11
Jesus commissioned his disciples to “go out and preach the good news, that the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 10:7), including not only the Twelve, but seventy others (Luke 10:1-12). Is God calling you to join the chorus of voices proclaiming the Good News, in your own generation?
This program requires 1 year (2 semesters) of study at the Iona School for Ministry. The classes for this program focus on Biblical studies and homiletics courses, with additional courses in cultural competency and the Anglican tradition. While not in session, students will engage in parish field work, and each monthly Iona session will include fieldwork supervision to reflect these experiences. Successful completion of the program qualifies graduates, on the recommendation of their rector and approval of the bishop, to be licensed as lay preacher.
Q: What is the ministry of the laity?
A: The ministry of the lay persons is… to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.
– from the Catechism, BCP, 855
We Episcopalians love our worship. The Anglican tradition brings a treasure trove of liturgical riches to our common prayer, and our tradition recognizes the crucial part of all God’s people in conducting this worship. Is God calling you to take a place of leadership in the Church’s prayer life?
This is a 1 year (2 semesters) program of study at the Iona School for Ministry. The courses focus on church history, the Book of Common Prayer, and worship/liturgy planning, as well as fieldwork supervision to reflect upon liturgical leadership in a field ed setting. Successful completion of the program qualifies graduates, on the recommendation of their rector and approval of the bishop, to be licensed as a worship leader.
A: The ministry of the lay persons is… to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.
– from the Catechism, BCP, 855
We Episcopalians love our worship. The Anglican tradition brings a treasure trove of liturgical riches to our common prayer, and our tradition recognizes the crucial part of all God’s people in conducting this worship. Is God calling you to take a place of leadership in the Church’s prayer life?
This is a 1 year (2 semesters) program of study at the Iona School for Ministry. The courses focus on church history, the Book of Common Prayer, and worship/liturgy planning, as well as fieldwork supervision to reflect upon liturgical leadership in a field ed setting. Successful completion of the program qualifies graduates, on the recommendation of their rector and approval of the bishop, to be licensed as a worship leader.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?... You are the light of the world. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.”
– Matthew 5:13-15
The Catechism of the Book of Common Prayer affirms that the ministry of all lay persons is “to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world” (BCP, 855). Is God calling you to engage in this mission more fully, and in a particular way—as a missional minister who will serve (or even call into existence) a missional ministry?
This 1-year 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 Missional Developer track offers classes on the core competencies for starting and leading missional communities, as well as requiring fieldwork so that students learn through experience. Courses include theology/ethics, applied apologetics, practical courses on leadership. 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.
Prerequisite: Either the Lay Preacher or Lay Worship leader track.
– Matthew 5:13-15
The Catechism of the Book of Common Prayer affirms that the ministry of all lay persons is “to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world” (BCP, 855). Is God calling you to engage in this mission more fully, and in a particular way—as a missional minister who will serve (or even call into existence) a missional ministry?
This 1-year 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 Missional Developer track offers classes on the core competencies for starting and leading missional communities, as well as requiring fieldwork so that students learn through experience. Courses include theology/ethics, applied apologetics, practical courses on leadership. 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.
Prerequisite: Either the Lay Preacher or Lay Worship leader track.
|
For those intending to take all three Lay 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. Find more information by contacting the Iona Administrator.
|