Ministry and Bishops Course

Teaching Course on Ministry and Bishops

The teaching material is aimed at providing an explanation of

why the historic faith of the Church teaches that priesthood

and episcopacy are male ministries. It is hoped that those who

explore this material, whatever their view on this question, will

grow in understanding as to what it is that those who keep to

the historic faith believe. Many misconceptions abound. We

also hope that the content will be accessible to those who

are coming new to the question of the identity of men and

women in ministry. Deliberately we start are the beginning by

asking some basic questions about the nature of vocation and

ministry and its relationship to God and the world. We then

move on to look more specifically at ordained ministry and the

sacred symbols that it bears. The second session opens up

the subject of the female vocation and ministry drawing on the

strong Biblical tradition. Having established the historic nature

of male and female within ministry the third and fourth sessions

give explanation of episcopacy. The sessions work rather like a

microscope, focusing more precisely as the course continues.

The material is primarily intended for ordinary C of E folk.

The media, who have little time for giving the theological

background, forms the perception that much of the debate

is merely about political manoeuvring. The teaching material

presents a traditional thesis – that said we hope that it is

encouraging of women’s ministry and in a modest way may

contribute to the on-going process of discernment.

Ideally the sessions would be given within a group as

discussion is anticipated. The group convenor may wish to

distribute the whole course material or just the associated

handouts. It will be useful to have Bibles to hand. Each session

starts with an opening prayer for the group. The supplementary

material is provided as a support for discussion.

Session One: What is vocation, ministry, priesthood?

Handout for Session One

Session Two: The Biblical roots of the ministry of women.

Handout for Session Two

Supplementary teaching/discussion material for Sessions

One and Two

Session Three: The Apostles and their Ministry

Handout for the group

Session Four: Zooming in on Bishops

Handout for the group

Supplementary teaching/discussion material for Sessions

Three and Four

Full course material at www.jbct.org