News from Canterbury Diocese
28th July 2010

Canterbury Licensed Ministries Training Scheme (LMTS)

The Council of Reference for the Canterbury Licensed Ministries Training Scheme met on July 27th to consider the implications of a significant fall in student numbers for 2010-2011. The Council has recommended that the Scheme be closed from this September, and alternative arrangements made for future training.

A total of 13 students, across all three years, were scheduled to be registered on the Canterbury LMTS from this September. In addition, one strand of ministry, Ordained Local Ministers, had no new candidates due to begin training this September. These two factors had called into question the purpose and the viability of the Canterbury LMTS.

In response to these issues and following consultation with students currently registered with LMTS, the Council of Reference met on July 27th and decided to recommend to Canterbury Archbishop’s Council that the scheme closes from September 2010. Exploratory discussions have been held with the South East Institute for Theological Education (SEITE) to consider possible options for rising second and third year students to complete their training with SEITE.

All students have been consulted and are aware of the reasons for the decision.

The Council took the view that the total number of students on LMTS had fallen below a level that offered them proper peer interaction and formation. In other words there were insufficient students on the scheme to properly represent the diversity of the Church they were being formed to represent in public ministry.

The Council also expressed the view that students would receive better training on a course which offered formation from ministers with personal experience of the ministries for which the candidates are being formed.

Detailed discussions will now take place to ensure arrangements are in place to continue the training and formation of all 13 candidates affected by this change.

The closure of LMTS, if confirmed, will make redundant those in the roles of LMTS Vice-Principal, Director of Studies and Administrator. All those involved have been advised that their present employment may therefore be at risk.

Ends

Further information from: Emily Shepherd, Director of Communications, Canterbury Diocese – 07876 210 446

Notes:
Over recent years approximately 21 students, across all three years, were registered on LMTS.