Subject: Standards for Theological Education

Moved By: Stephen Andrews from the Diocese of Algoma

Seconded By: Fred Hiltz from the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island

Note: The mover and the seconder must be members of the General Synod and be present in the House when the resolution is before the synod for debate.

BE IT RESOLVED:

That this General Synod request that the Faith Worship and Ministry Committee, in cooperation with the House of Bishops, undertake a study of educational standards for those training for ordered ministry, engaging as participants individuals from the three orders of ministry and theological educators, to undertake the following tasks:

1. to review the conversation since the Report of the Task Force for Theological Education for Ordained Ministry, 2001 (Bays Report)
2. to assess the means for implementation of core expectations/national standards
3. to assess the implications of the agreement of full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada for Anglican theological education
4. to examine the respective roles of theological colleges and the wider church in practical and immediate post-ordination training

EXPLANATORY NOTE/BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The Task Force on Theological Education for Ordained Ministry made a number of recommendations that have guided the work of the Faith Worship and Ministry through the triennium 2001-2004. Through that work it has become clear that the conversations on the future of theological education, and their relationship to the ministry needs of the Anglican Church of Canada are in very different places in different parts of the country. This resolution is an enabling resolution that requests the Faith Worship and Ministry Committee to address the desire for some consistency of expectations concerning ordained ministry in a manner that takes these regional differences seriously, pays attention to developments since the Bays Report, particularly with regard to the Waterloo declaration. It also requests that this work be undertaken in close cooperation with those involved in decision making regarding both the provision of theological education and also the deployment of those trained for ministry within the Anglican Church of Canada.