Baptism establishes the “priesthood of all believers” and the discipleship and ministry of each individual Christian, and the baptismal covenant provides a foundational document that leads us into ministry.  Each time we repeat these vows, we are committing ourselves to a life of ministry, but if we posed the question: “Who are the ministers of the Church?” many people would limit the list to priests and bishops.  If, however, we look at the answer to this question as it appears in the Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer, we read: “The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests and deacons” (p. 855).  The ministry of the Church is most effective when lay persons, bishops, priests and deacons are working together as a team.  When one of these roles is absent or underutilized, the Church’s ministry is incomplete.

In recognition of this fact and in response to the need for a well-defined and carefully executed program of education and formation for those individuals called to the diaconate or to intentional lay ministry in the Church, the Diocese of Kentucky established a School of Ministry in 2007.  The School of Ministry is a two-year program that meets one weekend each month (September through June) at All Saints Conference Center in Leitchfield.  Students spend the weekend (5:30 p.m. Friday until 4:00 p.m. Saturday) participating in coursework, small group discussion and spiritual formation.  In between weekend sessions, students have reading assignments, ministry projects and papers to write.  The program faculty includes seminary and university professors, clergy and laity.  Tuition for the program is $850 per year and includes housing, meals and all materials except textbooks.  Individuals who will be ordained deacons will spend a fifth semester during which they will complete a unit of Pastoral Theological Education and liturgics.

 Applications are now being accepted for a new cohort of participants and will be accepted until August 15^th.  It is strongly recommended that applicants have completed at least two years of Education for Ministry.  They must also be recommended by the priest-in-charge of their congregation.  Classes will begin in September 2013 and participants will graduate in June 2015.  Applications and directions for letters of recommendation are available on the Diocesan website(under “Ministries”).  If you would like further information about the program, please contact The Rev. Dr. Rose Bogal-Allbritten, Director, School of Ministry, at 270-293-9490 or rosebogal@gmail.com.