Rules for ordination

The rules for ordination are determined by Senior Council.  However, the rules for ordination are not necessarily the same in every diocese since each presents its own needs and expectancy of clergy.

Rules for Ordination in the Anglophone West

Check with your minister for rules pertaining to your area.  Generally speaking the rules for the Anglophone West (Western countries where English is at least a second language) are the following:

• Must be in process to gain a BMin degree through BMA or must have a BA degree.
• Complete seminary studies with Church of the East.  BMA students in the BMin degree automatically do seminary studies.
• Must serve two-year internship under a senior minister (at least one year before ordination) unless the candidate's local Teacher+ finds reason to exempt a candidate from the full term internship based on previous experience.
• All ordained ministers must complete at least one course of study through BMA every year of tenure.  Licences are granted with this provision and are annually renewable.

Exceptions that may apply in certain instances

• Ordination to Deacon can be effected before completing all the above requirements.
• Ordination to Deacon may sometimes be effected even if the above requirements will not be met.
• Ordination to Counsellor, under these circumstances, may be possible if the candidate can serve an appropriate apprenticeship.

What is Senior Council?

Church of the East has no typical hierarchical management structure.  Each community is a self-governing registered body on its own, owns its property in its own name, and cares for its own. Every Church of the East community adopts the same Constitution and/or By Laws, holding to the same tenets of faith and doctrine.  Communities are governed by their elected representatives.  However, in terms of ordination for clergy, their training and licensing, there is one central body in charge--Senior Council. 

Senior Council consists of elected and delegated members of senior clergy from all over the world.  Although the Council meets formally only once in for years its members are in regular contact with one another.

Who ordains clergy?

God elects and ordains candidates for the ministry.  If it so happens that one is Called to serve in the ministry according to the Tradition of Church of the East, Senior Council is charged to oversee the training and preparation for the ministry.  Ordination is effected once preparation is complete and all requirements were satisfied.

Ordination is always officiated by a senior minister of Teacher standing, licensed by Senior Council.  These senior ministers share information about prospective ordinands with Senior Council long before the actual ordination.  One's Teacher will not officiate an ordination without permission and blessing of Senior Council.

Who is in charge of a minister?

The minister takes employment with his/her local community.  The minister's employers are in charge of all aspects of employment although in line with general guidelines adopted in the by-laws.  The minister reports to her/his employer regarding day-to-day issues.

Senior Council acts as a licensing and regulatory body with regards all ministers within the Church.  Ministers therefore report to the Teacher or his/her deputy in a particular area.

Who serves Senior Council at this time?

The following members presently serve Senior Council

• Rev. Teacher +Yusa(iii) – Chairperson: Representing Jammu, Kashmir, Western Asia
• Teacher +Prabhakar: Representing India
• Teacher +Siphor(ix): Representing Eastern Asia
• Teacher + Thoma(ii): Representing Middle East, Francophone Africa
• Teacher + Vakil: Representing South America
• Teacher +Yajn: Representing the Anglophone West

Council sits every three years, and provides guidance in terms of appointment of senior staff members. The Senior Council also reviews activity reports and needs reports from almost every area where a congregation is active. The next Senior Council meeting will be in Mumbai in October 2006. The Secretary for SC is Ms. J.S Naidoo, 17 V.N. Purav Marg, Sion-Chunabhatti, Mumbai-400 022, India.

Contact Senior Council through your local minister or Teacher. Senior Worldwide Council is neither the head of the Church or a final authority -- this position is fulfilled by Yesu our Lord. Senior Council is the central licensing authority for clergy, and provides opportunity for all dioceses to convene and discuss issues of importance to the various self-governing areas under the banner of Church of the East.

The following types of clergy positions are presently ordained:

• Deacon -- a spiritual path devoted to serving devotees with holistic nurture, helping out with congregational matters, maintaining shrines and temples, leading prayer and meditation, etc. Knowledge of Wayist theology.
• Deacon+ -- extending the path of Deacon to include certain aspects of religious service and administration of sacraments, such as Eucharist and Baptism; assisting Counsellors with duties and tasks. Extensive knowledge of Wayist theology, catechism material, tradition and church history, experience in communal service.
• Counsellor -- a spiritual path devoted to primarily serving devotees with spiritual, theological and traditional guidance, rubrics and sacraments.
• Counsellor+ -- extending the path of Counsellor by undertaking and completing additional Graduate/Diploma studies in theology and tradition. Experience in serving rubrics, sacraments and counselling.
• Teacher – a spiritual path devoted to ministry to Deacons, Counsellors and leaders of spiritual and management groups within Church of the East. Teachers often provide services on behalf of Senior Council.
• +Teacher – extending the path of Teacher by undertaking additional studies, mostly post-graduate studies, in Tradition and Theology; serving Senior Council and representing geographic regions to Senior Council.