School for Ministry

The Diocesan School for Ministry welcomes individuals and groups on a transformative journey of embracing their call to ministry. Our purpose is to create a supportive space where you can not only learn and build essential skills but also foster meaningful connections. Together, let’s unlock and joyfully live out the unique gifts you possess in dedicated service to God and alongside others in your community.

Diaconal Formation Program

The School for Ministry program includes preparation in five general areas as prescribed in the Canons of the Episcopal Church:

  1. Academic Studies (including Holy Scripture, Theology, and the tradition of the Church)
  2. Diakonia and the Diaconate
  3. Human awareness and understanding
  4. Spiritual development and discipline
  5. Practical training and experience

The curriculum includes a 200-hour course/experience in Clinical Pastoral Training (CPT) and three semesters of field education. Classes meet at Dayspring Conference Center.

The School for Ministry is one of 27 Episcopal dioceses participating a member of the Iona Collaborative, a program of the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. The opportunity to share ideas and information with counterparts across the country strengthens our program and provides support for our local facilitators while helping build consistency of the curriculum. The School uses a “flipped classroom” pedagogical model; students spend time between classes with online material developed by the Seminary faculty, and class time with local facilitators is used for discussions, practice, and other formational activities.

For those that have felt a call to preach the Good News and who long to deepen their understanding of Scripture, theology, and the history of our Church, the lay preaching program has been created.

Last year, the Diocese of Southwest Florida invited lay leaders to apply for the first Lay Preacher Formation Cohort. It is a 10-month intensive training program that began in September 2025, led by the Rev. Ethan Cole and Pastor Gerry Gardner, and will guide students in proclaiming the Word with clarity and conviction..

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We are excited to announce that the School for Ministry for the Diocese of Southwest Florida is the recipient of Iona Collaborative’s Locally Grown Diocesan Microgrant. With this grant, the School for Ministry will be equipped to create and implement a spiritual director formation program.

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Call to Ministry

“Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ? Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?

Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?”

“I will with God’s help.”

(Baptismal Covenant)

Interested in learning more about the Discernment Journey?

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