A decision of the Diocese of Worcester makes it possible for people offering themselves as candidates for Self-supporting Priestly Ministry to continue ministry in their present parishes during and after training. This honours the context of call which arises out of the experience of sharing ministry with others, both lay and ordained, in a parish or benefice that is firmly earthed in one locality and where the intention is for the candidate to continue to serve as a priest in the same benefice after they have been ordained.

The Diocese of Worcester wants to give greater encouragement to candidates in these circumstances to offer themselves for priestly ministry of a non-stipendiary nature. In this they will, of course, need the encouragement of their parish priest, PCC and, if applicable, their ministry team, Those who are concerned with the discernment process and care of such candidates should consider very carefully the following very specific points in relation to this particular context of local self-supporting ministry.

• The candidate should be a well established member of their local Christian community and in the wider community in which they live.

• The candidate should already be exercising a ministry as a lay person which commands wide respect.

• The candidate should be able to demonstrate a good track record of working collaboratively with others.

• The parish priest and the PCC of the candidate’s parish church should be able to articulate a clear vision for the candidate’s continuing ministry as a priest in their local context, should the candidate be recommended for training. They should also be prepared to underwrite this by a formal resolution of the PCC, and to support the candidate in this in the appropriate papers sent to the National Selectors.

• Since candidates for this type of ministry will be expected to attend a rigorous forty-eight hour residential Selection Conference, the parish priest should satisfy him/herself that the candidate would have the confidence to engage with this. Further, the parish priest should be satisfied that the candidate’s existing lay ministry would not be damaged in the event of the candidate’s  not being recommended. For our part, the Diocese will ensure that all candidates are well prepared for the Conference.

Candidates who are continuing to serve in their present parish will also train on the two non-residential courses at Birmingham and Gloucester.

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