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Overview of FWM work relating to Theological Education: a background sketch

I. 1995-1998

Consultations on Discernment for Ordained Ministry led to a Report on the Consultations on Discernment for Ordained Ministry, with Recommendations. Led to work on revision of ACPO Handbook and establishment of a Task Force on Theological Education in the next triennium.

II.  1998-2001

Revision of the ACPO Handbook completed.

Taskforce on Theological Education worked throughout the Triennium and brought their report, known as The Bays Report, to General Synod 2001.

III.  2001-2004

  • Ongoing work relating to Heads of Anglican Colleges and Ontario Provincial Committee On Theological Education (OPCOTE).
  • Resolutions brought to General Synod 2004 by FWM asking FWM in the next triennium
    1. to work in consultation with the House of Bishops on national standards for theological education;
    2. to work with the House of Bishops and with Financial Management and Development Committee (FMDC) to address crisis in funding for theological education;
    3. to work with FMDC to find ways to fund advanced theological degrees.

IV.           2004-2007

  • Ongoing work with Heads of Anglican Colleges and OPCOTE, other Provincial committees on ministry.
  • Circulated The Bays Report to Bishops and asked them to respond to several questions regarding the Report in dedicated time within their Provincial House meetings, and to write reports from those conversations. These were collated and reported back to the national House of Bishops.
  • October 2005 held day long symposium within FWM based on same questions asked of the Bishops, generating a Report for use within FWM.
  • Began (what is now ongoing) consultation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) Program Committee for Leadership and Ministry and ELCIC synodical Candidacy committees. (ACPO Secretaries and ELCIC synodical candidacy committees are working on finding ways to connect.)
  • Staff level conversations with FMDC and Anglican Foundation to raise
  • Survey undertaken of theological colleges to the end of compiling a catalogue of portraits of the financial situations of the theological colleges to aid in conversations with FMDC.
  • Secured FMDC attendance at Heads of Colleges meetings.
  • Staff level research to collect all diocesan guidelines and standards for discernment, formation and education for ordained ministries
  • Council of General Synod passed resolution, originating in the House of Bishops, as follows

That the Council of General Synod convene a national gathering on theological education in Canada, under the auspices of the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee, in order to:

  1. Develop a strategic plan for the future needs for ordained ministry in the Anglican Church of Canada;
  2. Make recommendations to the Church about the strategic use of resources to support theological education;
  3. Review the current patterns of preparation for ordained ministry in the Anglican Church of Canada and make recommendations for their effective use;
  4. Develop common standards for theological training including core curricula, evaluation, field training, selection, support and recruitment of candidates, and core standards for spiritual and emotional readiness for ordination;
  5. That such national gathering to be held in consultation with ecumenical partners in Canada, and our conversations with the work of Theological Education in the Anglican Communion (TEAC).
  • Began strategizing ways of responding to the above resolution.
  • Survey undertaken of the worship lives of Anglican theological colleges.
  • Developed web site resources within www.anglican.ca for theological education and nurturing baptismal ministries.