INTRODUCTION
To assist people studying full time for ordination in the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane, where they intend to serve as Chaplains in Anglican Schools in the Diocese, the Anglican Schools Commission (ASC) offers a number of Chaplaincy scholarships per year.
The primary purpose of the scholarship is to encourage those who may be teaching or working in schools to consider their vocation to ordained ministry. This is achieved by providing financial support to recipients so that they may study full time and prepare for ordination.
SCHOLARSHIP OVERVIEW
The ASC Chaplaincy Scholarship is only granted to people who have been accepted into the formation program for ordained ministry in the Diocese of Brisbane. Chaplaincy Scholarship Recipients (CSR) are expected to engage fully with the formation program for ordained ministry as outlined by God Calling and organised by St Francis Theological College. This includes:
COMPLETING REQUISITE ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Usually a three-year process of ministry formation intensives
SUPERVISED FIELD EDUCATION
In addition, CSRs will be placed in an Anglican school, under the Mentored Chaplaincy Placement Program (MCPP), for the equivalent of two days’ work a week for the duration of their formation program.
The MCP provides the CSR with specific experience and formation in the area of Anglican school chaplaincy, as well as an additional income alongside that of the scholarship. The intention is that recipients will develop essential knowledge and skills for ministering in the Anglican school context so that at the conclusion of formation they will be ready to competently engage in full-time chaplaincy.
The Director of Mission, Anglican Schools Commission (ASC) is the administrator of the chaplaincy scholarship which includes selection and placement procedures. Ordination and employment at the completion of the scholarship is dependent on the Archbishop and individual Anglican schools. Diocesan policy is now that newly ordained priests serve a two-year parish curacy before either school or parish appointment.
A recipient of a scholarship will be bonded to serve in the Diocese for five years after ordination. Should a scholarship recipient not serve the bonded time a pro-rata refund of the scholarship will be sought from the recipient. Exemptions from this may be granted in the instance that a ministry position cannot be found.
SCHOLARSHIP VALUE AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The number of scholarships, the value of the scholarships and the duration of the scholarships will be determined by the ASC. A normal scholarship has a maximum value and duration of thirty thousand dollars each year for three years. The scholarship is paid fortnightly in arrears and is deemed to be taxable income.
During the mentored placement, the CSR will be placed for 2 days a week in an Anglican School. The CSR may either be employed directly by the school or by the Diocese and provided to the school under a service agreement.
The CSR will be paid .4 full-time equivalent of a Step 1 teacher under the Queensland Anglican Schools Enterprise Agreement 2013 if employed directly by the school, or .4 full-time equivalent of a stipendiary lay minister according to the Canons and Regulations of the Diocese of Brisbane, if employed through the Diocese, or as otherwise negotiated.
If employed by the school the CSR will not progress from one step to another during their chaplaincy placement. The employer, whether it is the Diocese or the School would also pay superannuation and the CSR also accrues sick leave and long service leave entitlements.
If employed by the Diocese the Fringe Benefits Tax Act allows for religious practitioners to utilize a pre-tax deduction of up to 30% of their stipend into a benefit account that is administered by Anglican Financial Services (AnFin). In addition to this any allowances paid that are to be fully expensed during the period of this contract can also be sacrificed to the benefit account. Further details on the operation of a benefit account are available from AnFin.
It is recommended that independent financial advice is sought before committing to salary sacrifice arrangements as each individual’s circumstances vary.
THE MENTORED CHAPLAINCY PLACEMENT
The purpose of the Mentored Chaplaincy Placement (MCP) is to provide the CSR with the experience to shape them as chaplains as they are being formed for ordained ministry. In essence it is a training and formation role within the school but one that is “on the job”.
ROLE WITH THE SCHOOL
The role of a CSR in an Anglican school is primarily that of an apprentice, learning the skills and knowledge required to be a chaplain. It will be expected that the CSR will perform many of the normal activities of an Anglican school chaplain including teaching religious education, organising and leading worship and engaging in the pastoral care of students.
These activities would be performed, in the initial stages of the placement, with the support and supervision of an experienced Anglican chaplain. The CSR may also be expected to participate in other activities the school would normally assign to teachers and other staff such as playground duties and sports carnivals.
The CSR will be employed at a .4 rate or the equivalent of two days work. This time may be spread across more than two days but consideration should be given to the CSR’s need to attend lectures and other formation activities. A high fragmentation of time across the week may not be beneficial for the CSR or the school. In addition to this, so that the CSR has an opportunity to learn about the school and build important relationships, the work load should not be too intensive, especially early on. Essentially an agreement needs to be negotiated between the school and the CSR regarding work arrangements from the start of the process.
SUPERVISION WITHIN THE SCHOOL
Ideally, the CSR will be mentored and supervised by an existing chaplain in the school and the normal hierarchy of supervision and support existing in the school will also apply. In the situation where there is no chaplain employed alternate mentoring and supervision arrangements will be made in consultation with the Director of Mission, ASC and the Director of Ministry Formation, St Francis College. This may include arranging a chaplaincy mentor from outside the school, while day to day supervision will be provided by a suitable person within the school.
COMPLETION OF THE MENTORED CHAPLAINCY PLACEMENT
In normal circumstances, the CSR will only be in the school for the duration of their three years of formation. This is primarily because of the necessity for them to complete a curacy and gain experience in a range of settings. Decisions regarding the placement of new priests are the prerogative of the Archbishop.
THE APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
The ASC Chaplaincy Scholarship is only granted to people who have been accepted into the formation program for ordained ministry in the Diocese of Brisbane.
Applications for the scholarship must be received no later than two weeks before the annual Discernment Conference.
A panel will convene to decide the recipients of the scholarship/s. An interview with the Scholarship Panel may be required. The panel may consist of:
- ASC Chair;
- ASC Executive Director;
- Director of Mission, ASC
Scholarship recipients will be selected on the basis of merit with consideration for:
- Previous experience in schools;
- Academic record and potential for success in school chaplaincy;
- Supporting references.
The ASC will notify all applicants of the outcomes of the scholarship panel after the Archbishop has informed them of the outcome of the Discernment Conference. Only those accepted into the formation process will be eligible for the scholarship. In the event that a recipient turns down the scholarship, it may be awarded to another applicant.
Scholarship recipients must inform the ASC of their acceptance within one month of receiving their letter of confirmation from the ASC. Once the scholarship has been placed, management of the formation process and study of the scholarship recipient will rest with the Ministry Education Commission (MEC).
In order for the scholarship to continue, scholarship recipients must satisfactorily complete study and formation requirements as well as a biennial review conducted by the Director of Mission ASC and the Director of Formation (St Francis College).
Ordination at the end of completing the scholarship is dependent on the Archbishop. Employment in an Anglican School at the completion of the scholarship is dependent on an Anglican School and the Archbishop. Applicants should also be aware that Diocesan policy is that newly ordained priests serve a two year parish curacy before either school or parish appointment.
DISCERNMENT PROCESS
During the discernment process the scholarship seeker is encouraged to begin the academic Orientation year which consists of completing four units of theological education towards the BTh through CSU/St Francis College as a part time external student while working at their regular employment.
Formation and Placement
If the candidate is accepted into the formation program the candidate participates in the appropriate study and formation program at MEC as required. The candidate is allocated to a school (which may, if they are a teacher in an Anglican school, be their existing school) under the guidance of an existing Chaplain. Placement is managed by the ASC with the assistance of the President of the Byam Roberts Community (BRC) and MEC.
Scholarship Monitoring and Review Process
A review of student performance is conducted by the Director of Mission and the Director of Formation at the end of each semester. Continuation of the scholarship is dependent on successful reviews and academic performance.
The chaplaincy mentor, and in situations where the mentor is off-site, the school supervisor, will be required to complete a report on the CSR at the conclusion of each school semester. The purpose of this report is to provide feedback on performance to the Director of Mission, ASC and Director of Ministry Formation, St Francis College so that adequate training and support can be provided.
Application forms and relevant paperwork are available from the Anglican Schools Commission. Email asc@anglicanchurchsq.org.au or phone 3835 2288.