Two Episcopal Seminaries – Virginia Theological (VTS) and Seabury-Western – are participating in a pilot project to strengthen the ministry of newly ordained priests through continuing education. In partnership with the Momentum program in the Anglican Diocese of Toronto, and the Diocese of Chicago, the seminaries will collect and share information with each other and with The Office of Ministry Development (OMD) as their individual projects evolve. The goal is development of a model program for dioceses throughout the church.
Studies confirm that transition periods in ministry (e.g., the start-up phase in the tenure of a new pastorate) are critical times that can significantly influence the years ahead, even for experienced priests. The Fresh Start program (offered under the auspices of OMD and the Episcopal Church Foundation) was created in recognition and response to the increased understanding of the importance of the "startup" time in new pastorates. Now OMD wants to build on the insights gained in Fresh Start to design a program specifically for new priests.
There are excellent programs for newly ordained clergy in existence on which to build. Toronto’s Momentum is a four-year program that fosters reflective and professional development the in early years of ministry. First Call Theological Education (FCTE) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a structured program of personal and leadership development intended to provide assistance in three goal areas: Ministerial Identity, Ministry Skills and Context of Ministry. The premise of both of these programs is that theological education certainly does not end with graduation (and ordination).
Based on information gathered from new and experienced clergy, the principal areas of concern in the early years of ordained ministry are:
- Practical skills development
- Identity of the newly ordained - as priest and as person
- Relationships -congregation, community, diocese, family
- Care for self and others
- Competencies (including interpersonal skills)
- Connectedness
- Spiritual -discipline/direction
- Leadership
- Potential minefields
- Context - community + congregation
The pilot project’s focus is the first three years out of seminary. Plans include design of a evaluation tool that would be used in common by all participants. The team will devise skills self-assessment tools to enable the new priest to analyze learning needs and design a learning plan. An implicit goal of the pilot is formation of new clergy as life-long learners.
The project at VTS, funded in part by a Lilly Foundation Grant, is called the First Three Years program. Beginning in fall 2002, a group of VTS graduates will learn from supervisors, mentors and peer reflection what the challenges of ministry will be and how to build habits and skills to meet them. Seabury-Western will assist the Diocese of Chicago, also through a Lilly grant, as it creates a continuing education program that will focus on placement of new priests in special learning curacies within the diocese and offer the guidance of trained mentors.
