Anglican Ordination
The Advanced Diploma programs at Youthworks College can open a pathway to ordination in the Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney as a Youth Minister or Children’s Minister.
An ordained Youth and Children’s Minister in the diocese is a Deacon. While the normal program for ordination as Deacons is undertaken through the four year Bachelor of Divinity program at Moore Theological College, in specific cases, graduates from Youthworks College may be ordained for the specialist ministry of the word among children or youth.
The diocese is looking for candidates who are wholehearted in their desire to have the best training possible and it finds unsuitable for ordination those who seek to fulfil only the minimum requirements.
Ordination candidates are required to complete three required units in their Advanced Diploma program (in Practical Theology, Anglican Ministry and Leadership and Management), participate in annual candidates’ conferences and be involved in supervised Anglican ministry.
The process towards ordination is one of discovery and recognition. There is the discovery of being suitable and gifted for leadership as well as the recommendation of those with whom you minister and study. The pathway to ordination through Youthworks College involves the following steps:
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At the end of the first semester of full time study, those wishing to apply as ordination candidates should discuss their plans with the Principal and the Senior Minister of their church. The support and recommendation from either the College or your local church is essential for application. Application forms are available from the College office or the Diocesan Department of Ministry Training and Development (MT&D).
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The Diocesan Department of Ministry Training and Development (MT&D) leads a process of discussion and interviews with the applicant. Candidates are given medical and psychological assessments. There are necessary legal and ethical checks organised by your local Archdeacon.
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Each candidate is appointed a Ministry Chaplain to help and advise you throughout your years at College and supervised ministry. The Chaplains act on the Archbishop’s behalf in helping you to test your suitability for ordination.
- Finally, there is the need to secure a paid full time ministry position in order for the Archbishop to ordain you. The Archbishop is not free to ordain people without a paid position: a person is ordained to a particular ministry, not to a status.
Ordination Process
Year Program
1-2 Diploma of Theology/Diploma of Ministry and Youthworks Ministry Certificate
3-5 Advanced Diploma of Theology
Including the following compulsory units:
- PC335 Principles of Leadership and Management
- YWP33 Sydney Anglican Children’s and Youth Ministry
- TH390 Special Interest Project in Practical Theology
6 Ordination as Deacon
7-8 Diocesan Ministry Development program