THE DIOCESAN SCHOOL FOR MINISTRY 

Future Diocesan sponsored formation offerings are being investigated. The School for Ministry as structured for the past eleven years is suspended. More information to follow. Below is a description of SfM as it has been. 

Purpose: The Diocese of Louisiana offers a dynamic, interactive approach to the affirmation and development of the ministry of baptized adults. Through lecture, discussion, small group work and worship, the School provides its participants with a foundation in Scripture and learning in areas of study to equip its graduates with skills to provide leadership in servant ministry.

Structure: The sixth school year began the second weekend in January. The primary focus is on formation with two ten (10) month periods of advanced academic study and skills development.

Short term instruction in specialized areas of ministry for the ordained and the laity can be arranged upon request.

Options for the Formation Track

Diploma -     (required for those preparing for ordination to the diaconate)

Certificate - Full participation for both years with no unexcused absences.

Content of Study

First and Second Years:

Scripture: 42 hours - To understand the importance of the Bible as the foundation for the ministry of the Church

The Church in Western History: 14 hours -To identify the patterns of development in organized expression of faith in Western Europe and the United States and the implications for the growing diversity in religious expression.

Polity and Issues in the Anglican Communion: 7 hours - to describe The Episcopal Church’s relationship to the wider Church

Worship and Liturgy:  14 hours - To examine the personal and congregational response to God and to become familiar with forms of corporate worship

Christian Theology: 24 hours - in three weekends- to examine God in relation to humankind and the world and to study the theories of some classic theologians

Christian Ethics and Moral Theology: 14 hours- to affirm confidence in Christ centered ethics and moral theology and to examine methods to apply the principals

Leadership in Servant Ministry: 14 hours - to identify the behavior of Christ, the ultimate, into servant leader, and to translate those behaviors servant ministry today

Ministry in the World in the Post Christian Era: 14 hours - to examine the responsibility to follow Christ by protecting the world in which we live and living responsibly with all of God’s people

Worship: 2 Hours

Faculty

• TBA

Each weekend begins with Evening Prayer at 7 PM on Friday evening followed by academic work. The Saturday schedule includes Morning Prayer at 8 AM followed by lecture, discussion and small group work. There is Holy Eucharist each weekend. The weekend ends at 3 PM.

There are no classes in July and August.

Dates of Classes: TBA

Location

Classes are held at Christ Church Cathedral located at 2919 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans.

Cost for Participants

The tuition remains at $TBA for each year. Current text books cost less than $TBA. Friday’s evening meal and the night’s lodging are the participants’ responsibility. Dormitory accommodations are available at no charge at the Urban Ministry Center next to the Noland Center (diocesan office).

Text Books:

• New Revised Standard Version of the Bible- Oxford Annotated or Harper-Collins Study Bible preferred
• Lawrence Boadt, Reading the Old Testament, ISBN 0-8091-2631-1
• Raymond Brown, An Introduction to the New Testament, ISBN 0-385-24767-2
• Vivian Green, A New History of Christianity, ISBN 0-8264-1227-0
• Diarmid McCulloch, Christianity, ISBN 978-0-670-02126-0
• Louis Weil and Charles Price, Liturgy for Living, Revised Edition, ISBN 9780819218629
• Evelyn Underhill, Worship, ISBN 9780227172926
• Marion Hatchett, Commentary on the American Prayer Book, 9780060635541
• Alister McGrath, Christian Theology, (Fourth Edition) ISBN 978-1-4051-5360-7
• Richard Hays, The Moral Vision of the New Testament ISBN 978-0-06-063796-5

For further information, contact Harriet Murrell at 504.895.6634 or at hmurrell@edola.org