Ministerial Training

Purpose

The purpose of our ministerial program is to train people to be competent community leaders. Ministers are counsellors, teachers, leaders and must be ethically above reproach. They are community resources and to that end they must either know how to solve problems or how to find out how to solve them.

Selection of Candidates

We welcome mature candidates who feel called by the gods to the ordained ministry. We ordain both men and women, single and married, and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, national origin or physical conditions.

Selection for ordination is based on discernment about call, spiritual and psychological fitness, and academic and ministerial preparedness.

Candidates for admission to the clergy training program must:

1. have written proof of a third degree Wiccan initiation;
2. have atained at least 30 years of age;
3. have interviews with Covenant ministers, including the Director of Clergy Training;
4. submit a criminal record report dated within the preceeding three months;
5. have at least two written recommendations from persons with direct knowledge about the candidate's spiritual, ministerial and other personal qualities and achievements;
6. undergo psychological screening, using instruments designed to assist in assessing the person's fitness for pursuing seminary studies and carrying out of public ministry;
7. complete a Ministry Training Program Application questionnaire, which includes demographic information and reflection questions about values, life experiences and vocation. Copies of academic transcripts, Clinical Pastoral Education and sacramental certificates are to be included with the application.

Topics of Study

• Wiccan and Magical History
• Wiccan Worship
• Public Speaking
• Wiccan Spirituality
• Comparative Mythology
• Issues in Sexuality and Gender
• Introduction to Philosophy
• Wiccan Hermeneutics[1]
• Apologetics [2] and Communication
• Leadership
• Liturgies of Rights of Passage
• The Liturgical Year
• Comparative Religions
• First Aid
• CISM [3] (children, adult, family, disaster, pastoral)
• Social Services
• Death and Dying
• Ethics
• Logic and Critical Thinking
• Physical Fitness
• Communicating with Emergency Services and Hospitals
• Talking to the Media

Footnotes

[1] Hermeneutics is the branch of theology that is concerned with interpreting of religious concepts, theories and principles.

[2] Apologetics is the branch of theology that is concerned with the defense of doctrines by reasoned arguments.

[3] Critical Incident Stress Management. A branch of psychological first aid that can largely mitigate the effects of disasters or other highly stressful events.