A3 Education for Ministry Phases 2 and 3
Any enquiries relating to Education for Ministry Phases 2 & 3 should be made to the Training and Development Officer (Ministries).
Introduction
Education for Ministry (EM) is within the context of the learning of the whole people of God and is quite specifically, education to enable people to engage in the ministry of Word and Sacrament and Church Related Community Work in the United Reformed Church. The whole of Education for Ministry is divided into three phases:
- Education for Ministry Phase 1 (EM1) is the initial phase of training after a candidate has been accepted for training and before ordination or commissioning;
- Education for Ministry Phase 2 (EM2) is the post ordination or commissioning period lasting until all the requirements have been met, normally three years; formerly called POET (Post Ordination Education and Training);
- Education for Ministry Phase 3 (EM3) covers the remaining time of a person’s active ministry. EM3 was previously called CME (Continuing Ministerial Education).
That the names of these learning periods have changed reflects a growing understanding that education for ministry is an ongoing process, with different phases requiring different learning, but not neatly separated from what has gone before.
Education for Ministry Phase 2 (EM2)
EM2 is characterised by:
- six residential learning events arranged by the Assembly EM2 Officer – two a year. These are fixed for the first year, but in years two and three it is possible to negotiate an alternative to one of the nationally-arranged programme with the Learning and Development Officer (Ministries).;
- training events in each Synod, and the expectation that in the EM2 phase, each minister or CRCW will attend Synod Schools;
- a budget (of up to £350) is available for ministers or CRCWs to take up other kinds of learning, related to their context of ministry approved by the Learning and Development Officer (Ministries);
- a Pastoral Advisor appointed by the Learning and Development Officer (Ministries), situated alongside the minister or CRCW.
A person formally progresses to EM3 when aapproved by their relevant Synod Committee and Learning and Development Officer (Ministries). At the completion of EM2, a minister or CRCW receives a Certificate of Completion of EM2 from their Synod. This enables entry to EM3.
Education for Ministry Phase 3 (EM3)
The EM3 programme aims to help, assist, encourage and enable each person to:
- reflect theologically on their ministry – bring theory and practice together;
- develop a creative relationship between personal appraisal and EM;
- keep abreast of biblical, theological and other learning relevant to ministry in a rapidly changing world;
- have a thirst for learning, continued spiritual growth and informed flexibility in their ministry;
- take seriously their role as a teaching elder, to share good practice and to learn from growth points in the Church;
- care for people and enable them to develop and express their discipleship;
- receive adequate induction training in new and specialist areas of ministry to which they may be called.
In practical terms, the following provisions are made:
- Ministers are strongly urged to devote two weeks per year to EM3. As a guide a week’s study may be thought of as:
- Monday 9.00am to Friday lunch-time, and a Minister attending a week-long course should not be expected to lead worship on the following Sunday;
- for Non-Stipendiary Ministers, a week means two weekends from Friday evening to Sunday teatime;
- or 40 hours, which can be taken in smaller blocks.
- when called to a new kind of ministry up to four weeks EM3 can be taken in that year;
- up to £700 a calendar year is available to fund approved EM3 study;
- sabbaticals of up to three months can be taken every ten years of service;
- up to £1200 is available towards the cost of Sabbaticals;
- belonging to the World Church grants are available not more than once in every five years. These are for travel related expenses. For travel to Europe and North America up to £350 is offered. Elsewhere in the world (excluding the Holy Land), upto £750 is offered.
While EM3 is largely self directed, there will always be elements of United Reformed Church required learning. Where there is new legislation requiring ministers to be aware of health and safety or child protection, for instance, there will be learning events which ministers or CRCWs must attend.
Procedure
- 1. Preliminary planning
The Learning and Development Officer (Ministries) can be contacted for help and advice in planning to take up any part of the EM2 and EM3 programmes. This is especially important in planning a Sabbatical, and a discussion should take place about eighteen months before a Sabbatical is due.
2. Application
The appropriate EM Application Form should be completed and submitted to the Learning and Development Officer (Ministries) well in advance. It is that Officer’s responsibility to determine whether what is proposed meets the criteria of the programme and furthers the individual’s professional development, and if so to approve the application.
3. Claim for Reimbursement
To meet H M Revenue & Customs regulations costs are normally re-imbursed after the event. A completed Claim Form together with receipts should be submitted to the Learning and Development Officer (Ministries).
In the event that a significant sum has to be paid in advance of a training event or course (e.g. the full course fee on booking) the Learning and Development Officer (Ministries) can arrange for an invoice to be paid directly to the institution. A subsequent Claim Form should be submitted for the reimbursement of other costs (e.g. travel) after the event.
4. Report
The appropriate Report Form reflecting on the learning experience should also be sent to the Learning and Development Officer (Ministries). This should be sent with the Claim Form.
In the case of Sabbaticals the Learning and Development Officer (Ministries) will arrange a fuller discussion on what was gained from it.
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