St Michael's College

• Ordination Training
• Reader training
• Course Structure
• Joining the Course
• Non-Residential Course Dates
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Who's Who

Course Structure

Our non-residential course reflects St Michael's overall philosophy of ministerial training.

• We aim to give our students an excellent grounding in Christian theology upon which to base their ministry. Our academic programmes (Diploma in Practical Theology and Certificate in Practical Theology) are Cardiff University awards, taught to appropriately high academic standards of teaching and learning.
• We aim to train our students in key core skills so that they have sufficient foundation upon which to develop the hands-on aspects of their Christian ministry (leading worship and preaching, ministering pastoral care, helping adults learn, facilitating mission in local churches and exercising Christian leadership).
• We carefully supervise and support the personal and spiritual formation of our students. Effectiveness in Christian ministry is affected more by personal and spiritual qualities than any other factor. All students on the non-residential course are assigned a personal tutor with whom they reflect on their experiences of learning on the course. Students use ministry development portfolios which help build up a personal history of learning and personal growth as they deepen their engagement with different aspects of Christian ministry.
• All students are allocated to a placement church. For ordinands, this is normally a church within reach of their home. Students training to be readers normally serve their placement in the parish where they have come from (and where they will eventually serve). In the placement, students have an opportunity to lead worship, preach and practise the basic skills that will lie at the heart of their future ministry.
• Worship lies at the heart of the transformation God makes in our lives. This is particularly true for Christian ministry and service. Times of worship take place both during the evenings at the teaching centres and also during our residential weekends and summer school. Teachers and students participate together in the planning and leading of acts of worship.