The In Ministry Year combines fieldwork and reflection, allowing students to think and act theologically, while also learning the basics of ministry so that they are prepared to hit the ground running after ordination. Students who complete the In Ministry Year report a high degree of satisfaction with their studies and their time spent in a parish placement.
“At Dio one does not feel cloistered from the world, but rather integrated with the larger Christian community, the larger academic community and the surrounding urban environment, while also being supported by a caring college community. My time at Dio was a personally enriching experience for me in ways that none of my previous academic experiences had been. I can’t imagine being formed for ordained ministry in any other place!”
Joel Amis, M.Div. 2018
More Information About the In Ministry Year
Students in the In Ministry Year are given a full-time placement in a parish or other ministerial setting and divide their time between the parish and the classroom. All courses are offered in a hybrid-online format meaning that the In Ministry Year can be completed almost entirely remotely to allow students to do their placements outside of Montreal.
Students work closely with a designated supervisor and learning support committee. They attend their church every Sunday to lead worship, preach, and generally become a part of the community.
Students will take courses on subjects like pastoral care, preaching, mission, leadership, and denomination-specific studies. These courses are structured to enable students to reflect on their placement and further their preparation for ministry. All these courses (except denominational courses) are taught ecumenically by faculty of the Montreal School of Theology.
There are four ways into the In Ministry Year
- It is the final year of the college’s Master of Divinity program.
- It is the entirety of the Diploma in Ministry program.
- Students who complete the 60- or 90-credit Bachelor of Theology are eligible to apply for the In Ministry Year, leading either to a Diploma in Ministry or, in certain instances, a Master of Divinity as a first degree.
- Students who have successfully completed the 12 units of the Reading and Tutorial program may apply for the In Ministry Year. The 12 units of the program plus the In Ministry Year leads to a Licentiate in Theology.
Structure and Courses
Supervised Field Placement
(MST 500; 12 credits): The third year of the M.Div. has a strong component of learning through practical experience. This theological field education framework employs disciplined theological reflection in various contexts to develop skills and capacities for ministry.
Mission and Evangelism
(MST 561; 3 credits): Explores various theologies of mission, and the specific cultural challenges of evangelization in our North American context.
Principles of Preaching
(MST 531; 3 credits): This courses focuses on the fundamentals of sermon preparation, exegesis for preaching, developing a message, and sermon structure. This course also includes a preaching tutorial where students present sermons for feedback and reflection.
Pastoral Care
(MST 511; 2 credits): Introduction to the basic skills of pastoral care, and exploration of the particular gifts and challenges the student brings to this ministry.
Education and Formation
(MST 541; 2 credits): Examines educational theory, theology and practice, and develops skills and knowledge for ministerial leadership in faith formation and education
Congregational Leadership
(MST 562; 2 credits): Provides students with lenses to study the congregation, and explores the various dynamics of leadership, particularly in the context of ordained ministry
Denominational Studies
Anglican History and Theology (3 credits): An overview of the Anglican tradition, with a particular focus on contemporary expressions of Anglicanism around the world.
Anglican Liturgy and Worship (3 credits): The theology and development of Anglican liturgies.
OR
United Church History and Theology (3 credits)
A survey of the rich history of the United Church of Canada and of the various kinds of theologies generated throughout that history and within the United Church today.
United Church Polity (1.5 credits)
Using a case-study approach, discover how the United Church makes its decisions. Explore the caring and practical dimensions of making decisions and working within church structures. Learn the information that church leaders need to be effective in their role in the church.
United Church Worship (1.5 credits)
Explore the unique character, history, and ethos of liturgical expression in the United Church of Canada. Integrate theory and theology and develop skills for worship leadership in congregational and pastoral settings.
Intercultural Encounter
The In-Ministry Year includes an intensive intercultural encounter. The encounter provides an opportunity to connect with Christians in other cultures and to be exposed to cultural, economic, socio-political, and environmental issues faced by the church in a different context. Past encounters have included trips to Cuba, Mexico, and Indigenous communities in Canada such as Waswanapi in Northern Quebec.
Does my parish placement need to be in Montreal?
No. We are happy to work with you to arrange a placement closer to where you live. The classes meet in a hybrid distance classroom, meaning that you can attend in person or in via webinar. There is a requirement that students attend class in person in Montreal for four specific weeks of each term.
Are there any additional costs?
Students pay an additional $550 fee in the In Ministry Year to off-set the costs of the inter-cultural encounter. There are no payments to the placement ministry setting or from the ministry setting to the college.
Can I do my placement in the church that is sponsoring me for ordination?
In general, no. Part of the function of the In Ministry Year is for students to come to a new congregation and be recognized as a religious leader. That doesn’t always happen in sending congregations, which may have many memories of and ways of relating to the student that aren’t conducive to exercise religious leadership. Further, we want students to be exposed to a variety of forms of ministry practice and a placement in a new congregation is one way to bring that about.
Does my ministry placement need to be in a church congregation?
No. Christians exercise religious leadership outside the walls of church buildings and it is not uncommon for ministry placements to be in social service ministries or other non- or para-ecclesial settings. For students who are preparing for ordination, it will be important to pay heed to the guidance of one’s bishop and commission on ministry, as well as to college faculty, in discerning what kind of placement is most appropriate for the In Ministry Year.
Can I do the In Ministry Year on a part-time basis?
Yes. Many of our students have found that spreading the requirements of the In Ministry Year over two years, with commensurate reductions in coursework and placement hours, is more conducive to their personal schedule and needs.
Contact our Admissions Staff
We know that thinking about the future of your education can be overwhelming. We’re here to help make it easier for you!
Using the form below, write us a message detailing any questions or concerns you may have. Be sure to fill out the e-mail address box so that we can get back to you. All other fields are optional.