As our diverse diocese continues to grow, the new Anglican Foundations Program (AFP) is a fresh way to unify clergy around C4SO’s expression of missional Anglicanism and help them get to know others beyond their local parish.
“We want our clergy to understand how C4SO thinks about and expresses Anglicanism in all of its beautiful diversity,” says Bishop Brian Wallace, creator and director of the AFP. “We also want them to build relationships of love and trust with other clergy around the diocese.”
This four-course online program is now a requirement for women and men who want to be ordained in C4SO. The program is also open to the newly ordained; clergy who are transferring from another diocese; and lay leaders, vestry members and volunteers from C4SO churches as space allows. An application process ensures that all participants are in the right time and place to receive maximum benefit from the program, and helps create synergy between the AFP and C4SO’s Path of Discernment to Holy Orders.
Each course lasts 10 weeks and costs $300 (or $1,200 to complete all four courses). Participants will also cover their travel expenses to attend an in-person, interactive retreat in Austin, TX, with Bishop Todd and Bishop Brian.
2024 Courses
- Our Anglican History and Theology: Beta course started February 4
- Our Liturgical and Sacramental Practice: Starts in May
- Our Spiritual and Formational Life: Starts in July
- Our Practical and Ethical Church: Starts in October
C4SO will offer a full rotation of these four courses in 2024 and the years ahead. Participants can complete the courses within a year or take up to two years to finish—the timing is flexible to accommodate life’s inevitable surprises.
AFP coursework consists of curated readings and video recordings. Bishop Brian and C4SO leaders chose the readings for each course to cover what’s essential for a clergy person’s life and work, and seasoned ministry leaders recorded short videos to help connect the readings to implications for a practical ministry context. The majority of the learning happens in small group discussions led by an experienced facilitator and scheduled around participants’ availability.
“I’m excited to see so much momentum already behind the AFP,” says Bishop Todd. “It is an important way to orient people to both Anglicanism and our diocese. We hope each participant builds a uniquely missional and innovative approach to our common history, theology, liturgy and Sacrament.”