When checking out my statistics page to see if my blog was getting anything like popular, I discovered that this question had been asked somewhere out in the googlesphere, and had some-how come to my blog. I don’t know if the person that typed this question found an answer out there, but I know that they’ve not found what they were looking for on this blog.
The reson for that should be pretty obvious, I’m not yet a fully trained Anglican Priest. But I thought I’d put my thoughts and feelings down in case the seeker came back. It will also, of course, make a wonderful reflection when next year’s portfolio comes.
I would say, that on balance, so far it does seem to be worth it. That’s mostly through Faith, rather than experience. The small amount of time I’ve spent in Parish Placement hasn’t really endeared me to the idea, nor has the session on Core Skills where we’ve been told that pastoral care of Priests is not something that the Anglican Church does well. The training has been hard, the essay work-load has been much more than I would have expected, and much more work than I did during my first degree (admitedly, that was now over 10 years ago), but definately more work than other people I know doing degrees.
Training college is a nightmare. It’s not a place that I would recomend anyone coming who doesn’t have a calling. It’s full of people who are so critical that at times you just want to shake them and remind them that it’s meant to be Christian institution, not a place for miner Hittler wannabees to strut their stuff like their next move is going to be to invade the Cafateria and annex the common room. People I know have contemplated leaving simply beacuse of the atmosphere in the college, and it doesn’t look set to change. Ever. I hope I’m wrong about that, and do indtend to try, but that’s how it is right now.
That’s not really hopefull is it? The questionee is wondering if the training is worth it. Shall we put it in a bit of perspective shall we?
Worst-case scenario, training is a three-year degree course. Followed by a two or three year curacy. The degree course itself is okay, but the work-load takes a little getting used too. It’s not impossible, it just feels like it. During this time you will be shown the ropes in a practicale way, you will get to go on three types of placement. A weekly placement, where for 15 sundays, and 15 half-days you will be working along-side a parish Priest. This will either be informative, or boring as all heck. Some Priests are willing to let their Ordinands get stuck in, others won’t. Your milage may vary. You will get a week placement. Again, some are better than others. Then there’s the month-long summer placement. Again, different results for different people.
However, that’s it for training. Three years out of your life. In that three years you’ll have had some amazing experiences, some that you never want to repeat, and a number that you are glad that you’ve had. Formation is NOT easy. It makes you look at yourself, even those bits you’ve spent a number of years avoiding, and painting over. It’s meant to be that way. It’s almost the “Dark Night of the Soul”, as John of the Cross would say.
Then there’s the curacy. During this, if the rumours are to be believed, you range from a fully-functioning member of a team to a dogsbody. Mostly, it tends to lean towards the Dogsbody, in that you’ll be doing all the services others don’t really want. The morning ones, or the late evening ones, that kind of thing. All the big servies will mostly be kept for the Preist. That’s the way it goes. It’s an ancient heirachy, and things don’t change that quickly.
And then? well, that’s just it. Then your out on your own, or your in a team ministry. Basically you get to do it your way. You get to lead services preside at the Eucarist.
And that is not the best bit. The Job is a Cradle-To-Grave job. Your called upon to share the best and worst times in people’s lives. You get to walk beside them, hold them up, remind them of the strength that comes with being In Christ. Of course, I don’t know that yet, I’ve just talked to Priests. I’ve yet to meet one that says it’s not, by and large, worth it. They’ve all said that it’s not easy. They’ve also all said that they wouldn’t change it for the world.
Now, I’m not saying that there arn’t Priest out there that would disagree, and I’m still enthusiastic about it all. Apparently the world will knock that out of me. I look forward to the fight.
If anyone out there has any questions they would like to pose me, feel free. There arn’t many of us blogging ordinands out there. Post a comment, and I’ll get back to you.
If God is calling, and you need to ask questions, I’m more than willing to help answer them. If you read this blog you’ll see how my journey went. You’ll see the questions I still have. I just hope I can help, even if it is in a small way through this post helping someone who’s seeking.
Yours,
Black Xanthus
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