A Center for Spiritual Study and Community Healing

"Every soul has to learn the whole lesson for itself. It must go over the whole ground. What it does not see, what it does not live, it will not know." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Fellowship School of Ministry, instituted in 2000, provides a broad range of educational opportunities. The school offers a two-year classroom program towards ordination, as well as ongoing seasonal classes open to individuals who wish to broaden their personal and spiritual development.

Students engage in a process that emphasizes the development of intellectual, emotional, physical, social and spiritual awareness. Course work combines theoretical and experiential learning. The school is unique in that it has a competency-based curriculum. Control of achieving the curriculum competencies is in the hands of each student. Individual students, with an Advisory Team, develop a plan for completion of competencies based on prior personal and spiritual education, work history and experience. Emphasis is on Metaphysical/New Thought teachings as expressed through A Course In Miracles and other New Thought philosophies plus universal themes common to all major religious teachings that promote the recognition of One Mind, One Power, One Divine Presence.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the Fellowship School of Ministry is:

• To support personal and spiritual development resulting in the ordination of ministers, the development of teachers/leaders, and personal enrichment opportunities for the community.
• To advance the philosophy of the Fellowship for Today through creating a learning environment that facilitates the development of:
  • healthy relationships.
  • spiritual community.
  • spiritual unfolding.
  • intellectual, emotional, physical, community, social and spiritual healing.
  • a personal response to the call to service.
• To offer a curriculum that teaches the history, practice and essence of various spiritual paths and religious traditions.
• To coordinate all educational endeavors of the Fellowship for Today.

History and Philosophy

Although the dream of developing a school for Fellowship ministers was held in the hearts and minds of several Fellowship members for many years, it was not until 1996 that the Education/Ordination Committee was appointed by the Fellowship's Steering Committee to "develop an educational component of the Fellowship for Today with the purpose of offering a curriculum leading to ordination of individuals who complete the requirements of the school's plan."

In January of 1999 the Steering Committee accepted the proposal offered by the Education/Ordination Committee, and the next steps were taken to further develop the Fellowship's ministerial program. Shortly after the acceptance of the proposal, a working Visioning Board was assembled to take the final steps necessary to bring the Fellowship School of Ministry into existence. The first class of students began their journey with the school in September of 2000 with nine invididuals, culminating with ordination in January of 2003 of four individuals. We acknowledge them for assisting in the further development of the Fellowship School of Ministry.

May Fest 2006 - The second class began in September of 2003 with seven students, culminating with the ordination of five individuals and a certificate of successful completion awarded to one in February of 2006. This class is also actively involved in the further development of the School.

The third class began in September of 2006 with six students, and expected ordination will be in January of 2009.

In responding to the needs of the Fellowship spiritual community and the greater community, the school has taken on the charge of offering a broad range of educational opportunities that are open to the public. The Fellowship School of Ministry's program provides two options - one that leads to ordination and another that assists individuals in broadening their own personal and spiritual development in a supportive and challenging environment.