A NEW theological education institution, St Martha’s College, has been established by the diocese of Guildford within the hope of coaching more men and girls for each lay and ordained ministry within the region.
St Martha’s is to expand the work of the present Local Ministry Programme (LMP) by offering candidates “high-quality theological training and formation, practical experience, and opportunities for people taking their first steps in exploring a calling to ministry”, a diocesan announcement said on Monday.
Courses will include the LMP (for ordained ministry), in addition to Foundations in Ministry (the lay-ministry programme), the Elizabeth Pathway (formerly generally known as the Caleb track, for ordination training for the over-55s), and occasional courses, for those in search of to “dip their toe” into exploring ministry.
St Martha’s was officially launched at St Mary’s, Guildford, with greater than 100 clergy and lay leaders, including former students, in attendance. Licensed graduates were also presented with their certificates.
Opening the event, the Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Revd Andrew Watson, said that St Martha was one in all only five people within the Bible described as being “loved by Jesus”. He hoped that graduates would manifest this love of their ministry, growing of their ability to disciple others. The name also drew inspiration from the church, he said, which is geographically on the centre of the diocese, along the Pilgrims’ Way.
A second-year student on the Foundations in Ministry (FIM) programme, David Godwin, said that he had begun to attend church frequently about 11 years ago, but had more recently decided to “take a leap of religion” and explore a call to put ministry.
“I saw FIM as a probability to grow to be more intentional in my faith and more confident in sharing the Good News. I even have gained in biblical knowledge, deepened my faith, and feel recharged. I do know that God has a plan, and faith (in my calling) is more necessary than certainty.”
The Revd Sarah Murphy, who accomplished the Elizabeth Pathway, praised the sensible elements of the course, including learning about prison chaplaincy through visiting a jail, and understanding church-planting by meeting the ministry team at a Holy Trinity, Brompton, plant.
The Interim Principal of St Martha’s, the Revd Dr Anna Poulson, said that the essence of St Martha’s — within the words of scholars — was: “Fellowship, family, togetherness, community, hope, belonging, and joy. They even used the word ‘exciting’.”
She continued: “My hope and prayer for St Martha’s College is before everything that we generally is a community of individuals formed and transformed through our relationship with God, with each other, and with the world around us.”
Bishop Watson said: “St Martha’s will create a fair stronger vocational culture within the diocese.” He challenged those attending to contemplate who, in their very own lives, they could “tap on the shoulder” to encourage them to explore a vocation in ministry.
