Part-Time FAQ
Can I carry on my present jobs while I am training?
Yes, many students at NTMTC continue to work in their current jobs, alongside doing their ordination training with us.
Is it not very demanding?
Juggling family, work and study commitments can be challenging, but it is a good preparation for future ministry, where the demands on time can be stretching as well! Many students pull back from some of the commitments in their home church, to make time for the study.
How do I become an ordinand in the Church of England?
Generally speaking, before beginning down the road to becoming ordained in the Church of England you should have experience of being part of an Anglican Church. This would include attending and being involved in a local Anglican church.
The first step to take when considering ordination is to speak to your Vicar/Parish Priest. This will determine whether you will be deemed appropriate to begin the journey of training and eventual position in ordained ministry. If your Vicar/Priest is keen to support your application, he will send you to your DDO (Diocesan Director of Ordinands). Your DDO is the person in the Diocese who is responsible for overseeing the process of applications for ordination training. Different diocese run the selection procedure differently, but at some stage, if all goes smoothly, you would be put forward for a national selection conference. This is usually a two day process of interviews, presentations and exercises that will lead to either your being selected for training for ordination in the Church of England or not. At some stage in this process you would also look at where might be the best place and pathway for you to train for ordination.
Once selected for ordination what are my training options?
There are basically three routes. The first is full time residential theological college training. The second is a part time 'Course' route where you train alongside doing a full time secular job. The third route is this 'Church-Based, Full-time, Non-residential Ordination training' at St Mellitus (SPTC).
Discussing these options needs to be pursued with your DDO as part of the selection process and we also encourage you to come and visit us on one of our open days held at St. Paul’s Theological Centre which is where the full time non residential training is based in London.
Do I have a calling to ordained ministry in the Church of England?
To download the brochure please visit
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents/ministry/ministryinthecofe/
The Bishop of London Richard Chartres
“At a time when fragmentation and partisanship can appear to threaten the credibility and effectiveness of our ministry, St Mellitus represents a bold step of faith and trust. We believe that as we pursue the harder path of unity in diversity, the College will prove to be an instrument of the Spirit in equipping the whole people of God to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Bishop of Chelmsford Stephen Cottrell
“As we seek to train men and women for ministry and mission in a rapidly changing context, St Mellitus College offers the Chelmsford Diocese a flexible and inclusive approach for theological and ministerial education and formation. It is very exciting to be part of this pioneering initiative.”
The Dean Revd Dr Graham Tomlin
“St Mellitus College is a very exciting place to work. It brings together students from across the spectrum of the church to learn about and prepare for mission in the contemporary world, in a way that tries to be open to the Spirit of God and learning from each other. We have a fantastic group of students, a great staff team and it is a privilege to be part of it.”
Regius Professor of Divinity at Cambridge University, David Ford
"One of the most important experiments to have happened in British theology and church theological education for a long time. The way it is bringing together academy and church, including church at the grass roots - that collaboration is just full of potential for the future and I feel everyone should watch this space. What it can do is something that really no other theological institution in the country can achieve at the moment."