Pastoral formation
Ministerial formation in the catholic tradition has been and remains one
of the primary activities of St Stephen’s House. Many of our students are
training to be deacons and priests in the Church of England and other Churches
in the Anglican Communion, although others are here to study for one of the
degrees or qualifications that the House offers but not intending to seek
ordination. The training and formation we offer is intended to equip the whole
people of God for ministry and so we take care to ensure that all students
receive training suitable for their needs.
Christian ministers (ordained and lay) of the future will be asked to be
evangelists and pastors in a wide variety of ever changing situations. To
do this work well, they will need to engage in and learn to present the Christian
tradition with a faithful commitment to Christ and his Church. Each of our
academic courses is designed to provide practical experience of and teaching
on the breadth and depth of the Christian tradition: its scriptures, its history,
its creeds and beliefs, its liturgies, and its forms of life.
As well as being equipped with knowledge of the faith and its traditions,
deacons, priests and other ministers will need to develop effective communication
skills and an ability to meet the rapid changes around us. Each of our study
programmes for ministerial formation aims to train students to gain increasing
skills in presenting the Christian faith, in written and spoken forms.
Courses are regularly offered in Pastoral Theology, Mission Studies, and Preaching. Ordinands undertake placements in a variety of church and secular settings. The placement programme consists of a three- to four- week placement in the long vacation and a term-time placement of a few hours per week during the Michaelmas (autumn) and Hilary (spring) terms. Placements are followed up by theological reflection on the experience and a debrief on the supervisor’s report with the Director of Pastoral Theology.
Children and families
Copy to come.
