Those seeking to be recognised as a Student for Ministry
Calling
- It is important that anyone considering ministry seeks to confirm any sense of calling through prayer and discernment.
- It is also important that this is confirmed at the local level with Kirk Sessions or leaderships recognising giftings and a sense of calling.
Enquiry
- Contact the church office using the contact page. You will put you in touch with the officials of the Ministry Committee.
- An informal meeting with the officials to explore calling, academic background and experience and anything else relevant to an application.
- Possibility of short placement to further explore calling and get a better feel for the denomination.
Application
- Formal application for recognition as a student. Contact the church office for an application form.
- Application considered by Ministry Committee and decision of whether to proceed to interview taken.
- Potential candidate interviewed.
- Ministry Committee makes a decision whether to recognise the application.
Training
- Once an applicant is recognised as a Student for Ministry they will be prescribed a course of study that will seek to provide them with a rounded theological grounding.
- Practical attachments and ongoing assessment will also be used to equip any candidate for future ministry.
- Once all the requirements of the denomination are completed the Student for Ministry will move to Licencing.
Licencing & Probation
- It is the function of the Presbytery of determining in due time, after examination, whether a student may be licensed to preach the Gospel or not.
- The term probationer is used differently across denominations but within the context of the United Free Church it refers to someone who has been Licensed but has not yet been Ordained.
During the final year of their studies students will move towards being settled in a congregation.
The full guidelines for Students for Ministry can be supplied on request.