School for Ministry
The diocesan School for Ministry was created to help individuals and groups engage more deeply with their call to ministry by learning, building skills, and networking in order to live out those gifts in service to God and in partnership with others in their neighborhood.
Diaconal Formation Program
If you have discerned a call to ordained ministry as a Deacon, you can find in the School for Ministry the preparation and the learning you need.
The School for Ministry program includes preparation in five general areas as prescribed in the Canons of the Episcopal Church:
- Academic Studies (including Holy Scripture, Theology, and the tradition of the Church)
- Diakonia and the Diaconate
- Human awareness and understanding
- Spiritual development and discipline
- Practical training and experience
The curriculum includes a 200-hour course/experience in Clinical Pastoral Training (CPT) and three semesters of field education.
Classes meet at Dayspring Conference Center.
The School for Ministry is a member of the Iona Collaborative, a program of the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. The Diocese of Southwest Florida is one of 27 Episcopal dioceses participating in the Collaborative. The opportunity to share ideas and information with counterparts across the country strengthens our program and provides support for our local facilitators while helping build consistency of the clergy formation curriculum across the member dioceses. The School uses a “flipped classroom” pedagogical model; students spend time between classes with online material developed by the Seminary faculty, and class time with local facilitators is used for discussions, practice, and other formational activities.
In future years, the scope of the School for Ministry will be expanded to include local formation for the priesthood, licensed lay ministry preparation, and general adult Christian formation opportunities.
Find Out More:
- Email the Rev. Scott Nonken, Dean, School for Ministry at [email protected].
- Download the School For Ministry 2020-21 Student & Facilitator Guide (Diaconal Formation).
The School for Ministry
8411 25th Street East
Parrish, FL 34219
