“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest” (Luke 10:2 (NRSV)
The Supplementary Ministry Training Program (SMTP) is geared towards the training and formation of men and women for ordained (bi-vocational) ministry. Since its inception in the 1970’s, the SMTP has produced a significant percentage of the clergy in the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, who by their commitment and dedication, continue to give invaluable service to the work of ministry.

In other dioceses and provinces of the Anglican Communion, clergy operating in a bi-vocational capacity are referred to as Non-Stipendiary or Self-Supporting, indicating that they do not receive a stipend as do ‘regular’ clergy. These designations notwithstanding, the general understanding is that bi-vocational clergy live out their vocation in two different yet complimentary ways…their paid occupation/profession and ordained ministry, within their Cures.

During the training and formation process, Supplementary Ministry trainees are supervised within their local contexts, by their Rectors or Priests-in-charge. On completion of their training, they remain in these locations functioning in a manner similar manner to an assistant curate.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION FOR TRAINING
Persons desiring to enter the SMTP are required to:

A. Prepare a formal application that must include physical copies of the following:

(i) A letter addressed to the Diocesan Bishop, requesting admission to the SMTP, that provides a synopsis of the candidate’s sense of vocation.

(ii) Two [2] character references from members of the community in which the Applicant resides.

(iii) A testimonal with recommendation from the Applicant’s Employer or a Senior Officer of an institution where the Applicant previously studied.

(iv) Certified copies of examinations passed and/or certificates, diplomas and degrees received.

B. Consult with their Rectors or Priests-in-charge.

  • Applicants should share with their Rectors/Priests-in-charge, the documents listed in A[i -iv]
  • If a Rector/Priest-in-charge supports the application, he/she should provide evidence of the following:
    (i) His/her support
    (ii) The applicant’s membership and standing within the congregation.
    (iii) The congregation’s support of the application (in the form of a resolution from the Church Committee indicating same)
    (iv) The area of ministry within the Cure, to which the applicant will be assigned during and upon completion of training.

C. Interview with the Regional Bishop.
Having satisfied the requirements of A and B the Rector or Priest arranges for the applicant to be interviewed by the Regional Bishop. At which time, documents listed at A (i-iv) and B(i-iv) must be submitted. Following the interview, the Regional Bishop will indicate in writing to the Diocesan Bishop, his recommendations with respect to the application.

D. Submission of the completed application form along with supporting documentation.
At this point in the process, the completed Application and all supporting documentation will be submitted by the Regional Bishop to the Diocesan Bishop, in preparation for the final round of interviews and selection procedures.

NB: Applications along with accompanying documentation must be received in the office of the Diocesan Bishop by March 1 of the year in which the Applicant intends to begin training.

General Information re: Application for SMTP
1. A candidate, for acceptance in SMTP, should be well established in his or her secular occupation and be at least thirty-five years of age at the commencement of the training process.

2. Given the length of the Pre-Ordination Training(POT) and Continuing Ministerial Education (CME), a total of at least five years, there is an upper limit of fifty-five years of age for initial ordination.

3. Candidates who offer themselves for training and ordination within Supplementary Ministry should reside in the Cures from which they applied and be willing to exercise their ministry in that Community.

4. A medical and /or Psychological Appraisal will be required of each applicant.

NB. Persons offering themselves on retirement from secular occupation for a limited ministry in parishes are clearly distinguished from those offering for the Supplementary Ministry as the process and criteria are distinctively different.

Click on the following link to complete the Personal Information Sheet: Click Here