Your Guide to the Categories
for Ordination in the Church of England
by David Runcorn
As we know, Ministry Division revises its ministry selection categories every few years. But experience shows there is still a lot of confusion about them. This is partly because the CofE now only officially speaks in ACRONYMS – possibly based on a well intended but mistaken exposition of the words of Jesus (‘I speak … so that hearing they do not understand’. Matt 13.13 )
So here at last is a definitive summary ….
The main new selection route is the:
BAP (stands for Bishop’s Advisory Panels actually – if you are going to be smutty I shall stop now)
BAP selection categories are as follows:
Soft top bap – for vocation to pastoral ministry
Crusty bap – for those awkward, borderline candidates who may be prophetic (but probably just dysfunctional)
Stale bap – for ministry to old ways of being church
Fresh bap – for church planting and emerging church ministry
Mandated bap – available with local ministry filling of your choice
These may be ordered over the phone. Free delivery within twenty mile radius of your Diocesan Offices if you are up to date with your Parish Share. Luncheon vouchers accepted.
BAPs replace:
COBs - Church Ordination Board
and
ROLLs - Recommending for Ordination to Limited Localities
There are other routes for selection are open to candidates. These include:
BAGUETTE – Bishop’s Advisory Group Underfunding Extended Theological Training in Europe (a joint EEC/Diocese of Europe/University of
PASTIE – Panel Advising Schemes that are Training Indiscriminately Everywhere. Developed by Diocese of Truro in partnership with Padstow College of Higher Education.
Also available as sandwich course.
CRUMBS – Constantly Revised & Under-resourced Ministry Baguette Scheme
(Based on leftover’s from other schemes replaces the Churches Regional Assessment Panel but is essentially the same).
FOCACCIA - a controversial distance-validated, local ministry initiative delivered by the Faculty of the Continuously Argumentative Confessing Christians In (total) Agreement. Generally happens unannounced. The unusual feature of this course is that the entire Global Anglican Church and Archbishop of Canterbury personally, receives the lectures rather than the candidate.
Finally ….
An exciting new pioneer ministry category YEAST. (Youthful, Extrovert And Seriously Terrific - or something like that). This replaces the traditional DOUGH route (Dull, Old, Useless, Geriatric, Humourless etc …. )
For further details of any of the above contact your local DDO .…
