It’s the time of year exiting Moore College students think about leaving the hallowed halls of Newtown.
Anglican candidates are starting to look at potential parishes, and rectors are looking at the new crop of graduates.
I’m not looking for someone this year, and don’t know the exact mechanics of the process this year - but here are my tips for exiting students:
- Don’t trust the diocese to work this out for you. The system will change each year but never trust the system. Don’t break the rules which are set down but don’t expect them to deliver the right placement for you.
- Pray. Ask that God will be sending you somewhere you can serve well. Think not just about who is in the church but the mission field the parish is in - can you help lead the church to these people?
- Don’t look for a place that offers training opportunities. You will learn by doing, so think about where you can go to serve.
- Don’t worry about the job description - I’ve never seen a ministry job description that doesn’t change within a couple of years anyway.
- Don’t worry too much about where you go. Wherever you are there will be people who need to be built up in the love and knowledge of Jesus.
- Don’t worry about where others go or start thinking in terms of status and prestige. Ministry is hard work everywhere. Your true reward is the people you get to serve. It is also a tremendous privilege.
- The most important thing is the relationship with the rector. Where this goes badly wrong, some people have left ministry. So be as up front as you can about who you are. Name the concerns you have. Try and find somewhere you can easily trust the rector and agree theologically, in terms of philosophy of ministry, and actually get on. It is hard but vital to gauge this one as well as you can.
- Get on the phone and talk to people. Don’t believe everything you read on the website or are told on the interview. Speak with previous assistants or student ministers. Ask for referees.
- Pray for your fellow students. It can be a stressful time. As a year this is a great opportunity to minister to one another in ways that can set the mould for years to come.
Leaving college is a big deal. But you’ve been trained well and we really look forward to you joining the mission in the parishes full time.
Anyone else got tips for students heading out? Or maybe what rectors should be looking for?
