A part-time, shorter route to ordination
Have you spent years serving your church and found yourself wondering whether God might be calling you somewhere new? Ordination Training through the Elizabeth Pathway could be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Starting in September 2026, St Augustine’s College of Theology is offering this new national programme: it’s a part-time, non-residential, two-year route to ordained ministry, designed for lay ministers who feel called to explore ordination later in life.
What is the Elizabeth Pathway?
The Elizabeth Pathway gives experienced lay leaders the chance to train for ordination in a way that fits their life and stage of ministry.
Thomas Sharp, Tutor in Pastoral Theology and Lay Ministry Lead at St Augustine’s, explains: “The church, for many years, has only treated the young as worth investing in. And finally, the church has come round to the view that people – particularly those who are retired – have a lot more to give.”
The pathway is usually for people aged 53–67, though this varies by diocese, and you’ll typically need around five years of experience in lay ministry. That experience could cover a variety of roles – what matters is that you know what it means to lead in a church.
A faster route to ordained ministry
One of the things that makes the Elizabeth Pathway unique is how it handles discernment. Rather than going through a lengthy selection process before you begin, you complete discernment during your first year of study.
As Thomas explains: “The joy of the Elizabeth Pathway is that you get to study straight away, and you complete the discernment process whilst you’re already with us. So it speeds things up.”
What subjects will you study?
You’ll study one core module per term alongside other lay and ordained ministry students, covering subjects like:
- Biblical Studies
- Church History
- Spirituality and Discipleship
- Christian Worship
- Christian Doctrine
- Sacramental Theology and Ministry
When you complete the course, you’ll hold a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) in Theology, Ministry and Mission – a recognised, national qualification.
Alongside your study, you’ll be on placement in a parish church, developing your skills and learning by doing. You can study at our Kent campus in West Malling, our London Bridge campus in Southwark, or a combination of both.
Supporting you with your study
If you’ve been out of education for decades, you’re not alone.
Patrick Berenger, one of our current independent students, said: “Becoming a student again for the first time since 1991 is a bit of a challenge! Having said that, I’m now finding my feet. Everyone is very welcoming, and I have managed to do my first two essays in 35 years.”
Jenny Corcoran, Tutor for Biblical Studies and Ordained Ministry, echoes this: “We will do everything we can to help people gain that confidence that they can write an assignment.”
Another advantage is that the Church covers your course fees, so you don’t need to worry about the cost.
Experience ordination training – book a free theology taster event
The best way to know whether St Augustine’s is the right fit for you is to visit us.
Our open-day-style taster events give you a real feel for student life here. You can meet lecturers, sit in on real classes, chat with current students, and join in daily worship.
You can join us in person at our West Malling campus in Kent or our London Bridge campus in Southwark. Just register below – we can’t wait to meet you.
