TrainingTracks

WEMTC Training Tracks

Contents:

Ordination Training
Reader Training
Methodist Foundation Training
Independent Training
Exploring Vocation

Students come to WEMTC to prepare for a number of different ministries within the Church and the secular workplace. As a result, students may be on one of several different training tracks. This is one of the joys and strengths of WEMTC, providing a diverse and rich learning community. Our core courses and modules are combined in a number of different ways depending upon each student's goals. The following are some of the most common tracks through WEMTC:

Ordination Track

The majority of our students are ordinands selected for ordination training by the Church of England, the Methodist Church or the United Reformed Church. Our basic ordination course leads to the Diploma in Higher Education in Applied Theology which is a nationally recognised vocational Diploma validated by the University of Gloucestershire. It is also validated as an ordination route by the respective Churches. However, as we recognise that older students come with a wealth of ministerial and theological experience, there is some flexibility (within guidelines) for tailor-made courses to be devised.

Church of England Ordinands

WEMTC has been used for training ordinands by the following Dioceses:

Hereford
Gloucester
Bristol
Bath and Wells
Worcester

Students are sponsered by their Bishop, usually on the recommendation of a national selection conference. The length of training is usually determined by the Bishop. Church of England ordinands are themselves preparing for a number of different ministries and are often on different tracks.

Nationally Sponsored Candidates
Nationally sponsered students have been through the national selection conferences and are preparing for Stipendiary Ministry, Non Stipendiary Ministry/Stipendiary Ministry, Permanent Non Stipendiary Ministry or Ministry in Secular Employment. Training is normally for three years, though exceptionally it might be one or two years. This form of training is validated by the Ministry Division of the Archbishops Council and subject to inspection by the House of Bishops. Click here for our general ordination package for Church of England ordinands.

Ordained Local Ministry
OLM ministry is a recent development in ordained ministry in the Church of England. Candidates from the Gloucester and Hereford OLM schemes receive part of their training with WEMTC, whilst the remainder of their training package is focussed on the Local Ministry Team of which they are a part. Thus, whilst OLM students will only do a proportion of the modules, placements and residential of the WEMTC ordination course, they are receiving a complete training, usually lasting at least three years. Click here for OLM training information with WEMTC.

Ordained Ministry in the Methodist Church

Methodist Student Ministers may be preparing either for Itinerant Ministry or Ministry in Local Appointment (MLA). Because these students have already gained 120 Theology credits at Level One as part of their Foundation Training, they join in year 2 and 3 modules and follow a special organised route through training. With the addition of APL it is usually possible for Methodist Student Ministers to gain the Diploma alongside the nationally selected Church of England Ordinands. Methodist students are under the Pastoral Oversight of the Methodist Tutor(currently the Principal, who is a Methodist Minister) and the Wesley College Oversight Committee. Click here for our general ordination package for Methodist student ministers.

Church of England Reader Training Track

The second largest group of WEMTC students are those training to be Church of England Readers for the Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford Dioceses. Although doing slightly different training courses, Readers based at Cheltenham and Ludlow share in a residential weekend each year.

Cheltenham-based Readers
Cheltenham-based Readers in training share evening modules with ordinands and certificate students as well as undertaking specialist Reader modules. Students are usually licensed after three years of training. Upon satisfactory completion of the Course, Readers are eligible for the Certificate of Higher Education in Christian Studies.

Ludlow-based Readers
Ludlow-based Readers in Training share evening modules with ordinands and certificate students. Students are usually licensed at the end of three years. Upon satisfactory completion of the Course, Readers are eligible for the Certificate of Higher Education in Christian Studies.
Click here for more Reader training information.

Methodist Foundation Training Track

Foundation training is a pre-selection exploration of vocation for those in the Methodist Church. It involves two years of part-time study with WEMTC in which together we seek to discern God's calling and vocation. Foundation students join evening classes for some modules and participate in some residential trainings. The rest of their course is undertaken via tutorials and seminars with the Methodist Tutor. By the end of training Foundation students may have discerned a call to explore presbyterial or diaconal ministry further (via selection) or a call to lay ministry within or outside of the church.
Click here for more Foundation Training information.

Independent Training Track

Our evening taught modules are open to anyone who wishes to further their theological knowledge and explore their Christian faith in an academically rigorous way. Students may enrol for individual modules as Associate students or may enrol for the three year Certificate in Higher Education in Christian Studies. The evening classes are held in Bristol, Cheltenham and Ludlow and independent students are valued class members alongside ordinands, foundation students and readers.
Click here for more independent study information.

Exploring Vocation Track

For those interested in exploring their vocation and Christian calling, WEMTC participates in an "Exploring Vocation" Course run by the Gloucester Diocese. These classes are held separately from our other courses but may lead to students enrolling as independent students or applying for ordination or reader training.
Click here for more Exploring Vocation information.

WEMTC, University of Gloucestershire, Francis Close Hall, Swindon Rd, Cheltenham GL50 4AZ, England Ph +44-1242-714857 Fax +44-1242-714641

Email to office (at) wemtc.org.uk Office hours are Monday to Thursday, 9.30am to 2.30pm

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