Exploring Ordination
Are you being called to ordained ministry in the Church of England?
At Lindisfarne we work with Newcastle and Durham Dioceses to help train people for a range of different expressions of ordained ministry. The first step will be for you to be in conversation with your diocese to explore the nature of your call. You would normally start by talking to your vicar or whoever has oversight of your church at present. Then follow one of these links:
Ordained ministry in Durham Diocese
Ordained ministry in Newcastle Diocese
Once you know that you are moving towards training for ordained ministry, you can get in touch with us to talk about how the Lindisfarne programme works. Use the ‘Get in touch’ form here to do that. Alternatively, your diocesan Vocations advisors will put you in touch with us when they are ready to do so.
The Elizabeth Pathway
A combined discernment and ordinand training pathway
During your conversation with Durham or Newcastle Diocese, the Elizabeth Training Pathway might be suggested as a possible training route to consider. This is a Church of England pilot programme which LCT is currently running: a new ordination training pathway for older, experienced lay leaders. Candidates admitted to this pathway embark on training with a view to reaching ordination in two years. The first year includes space given to the ordination discernment process alongside LCT training. If, at the end of the first year, a candidate is sponsored for ordination by their diocese, a second year of training and ministerial formation follows with a standard LCT expectation of study and placement(s).
The Elizabeth Pathway is open to candidates who have a track record of ministry, leadership and life experience, and who sense a call to ordained ministry in the Church of England. This pathway is normally for people in their mid-fifties up to their mid-sixties, including those who have retired. The pathway is not available to anyone under the age of 53 at the point of beginning training.
‘The Elizabeth Pathway has helped me maintain momentum and focus for my discernment journey, whilst helping me grow in knowledge, understanding and faith; and gaining new friendships with others on similar journeys.‘ Katie, Elizabeth Pathway ordinand.
We look forward to being part of your journey.
