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Ordained/Diaconal/Lay Ministry

Our Community-based program values life experience and is dedicated to the spiritual wholeness of Aboriginal peoples. Students attend two-week sessions four times a year of residential learning. Between learning circles students work in accountable, pastoral or community service placements. Placements are often in the home communities of the students.

Vision Keepers

A supportive supervision relationship is required for students' ministry placements and is provided by regular meetings with the Vision Keeper, A Vision Keeper is the person who helps the student to articulate and live out their vision of themselves as a person including their vision of themselves as a ministry person.

Board and Resource Staff

The majority of the board members and resource staff are of First Nations ancestry. Resource Staff have qualifications that meet the accreditation standards.

Students and Teaching Staff

Admission

While the Centre is sponsored by The United Church of Canada, Programs are ecumenical. Students from the United, Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian and Mennonite denominations have participated, Candidates need to meet the requirements of their own denominations. The academic standard is Grade 12 or equivalent. (Students may upgrade their verbal and written skills in the program.)

Candidates need to demonstrate personal maturity arising from work experience and spiritual development and must be sponsored by; their local faith community.

Completion

United Church students are eligible for ordination or commissioning after five years. Lay supply ministers are eligible for completion after three years.

Other denominations may have different requirements for completion. Students are encouraged to seek this information from their individual churches.

The Centre awards Diplomas of Completion upon fulfillment of the program.

Bachelor of Theology Program

The five year ministry program plus one year of undergraduate study in the Arts program at the University of Winnipeg fulfill the requirements for a Bachelor of Theology degree from the University of Winnipeg.

Our ministry program respects both Christian and Aboriginal teaching. The Learning Circle of the Ministry Program offers respect for all of creation and honours the seven teachings of wisdom, love respect, bravery, honesty, humility and truth. Elders join the learning circle for the students time in residence.

In the adult education model learning is experiential and integrative. It values both the learning circle and experience gained in the communities where students are serving.