COVID-19

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those affected by COVID-19 here and all around the globe. At the Stevenson School for Ministry, your spiritual health and wellbeing are of the utmost importance. As the impact of this situation continues during this time of unprecedented change, the SSFM Dean, Associate Dean and Advisory Board are as passionate as ever in keeping everyone connected, thus we are providing on line resources for your spiritual growth and learning, some at no cost to you.

Perhaps in this time of sheltering at home you have discovered new spiritual awareness that open up new ways of hearing and experiencing God. Is God the Risen Christ who is right with us in our homes calling to us to serve? Are we listening? Will we join the conversation? What might happen next? Check out our online learning possibilities and consider joining a small group learning adventure.

Practicing Forward with Rev. Dr. Gina Campbell

Are you ready to take a deeper dive into navigating change through mission and leadership in the church? Are you a part of the Diocesan Shaped by Faith initiative? Do you want to learn more about and apply family and church Bowen Theory and leadership concepts?
Coming Soon: Recorded Webinars and Resources to Support your Ministries

Webinar Series Reading Material

Practicing Forward Podcasts

A special thank you to the Diocese of Central PA and The Roanridge Trust Fund for the funding and grant that permits us to offer the webinars and podcasts as leadership formation opportunities.

Vocational and Ordained Ministry Courses

10-week online required academic courses for the Ministry of Deacon or Priest with weekly Zoom meetings
Courses available for Clergy continuing education

View Courses

Shaped by Faith

Learning opportunities

Prayer Practices & Bible Study
Stewardship & Parish Admin.
Outreach
Discernment
Way of Love & Becoming the Beloved Community

Learn More

Podcasts: Join listeners and experience the Love of God

Follow the Story

Practicing Forward with Rev. Gina Campbell

Podcasts with Marsha Roscoe, Breathing in Christ

Shaped by Faith Lectionary

Listen

Collaborative Mission Center

5-week innovative and collaborative online webinars
Designed to fit your schedule
Qualified faculty who teach in other seminaries or universities

Learn More

Lay Ministry Certificates

Grow in faith and strengthen your ministry through Bishop-supported Certificate programs:

Lay Preacher
Lay Worship Leader
Lay Evangelist
Lay Catechist

Learn more

Children, Youth, and Young Adult Ministries

Safeguarding God’s Children
Godly Play training
Training youth ministry leaders
Training youth for leadership
Diocesan youth programs

Children | Youth | Young Adult

Vital and Effective Leadership Institute

Two year program for newly-ordained or new to the diocese
Builds collegiality among new clergy

Learn More

Anglican Studies Certificate

Graduate credit certificate program with Lancaster Theological Seminary
10-week Anglican Studies academic courses
Cohorts with LTS Students

Why do we do what we do?

The Stevenson School for Ministry believes that discernment is deeply important for spiritual growth. Through discernment, we explore the range of vocations (diakonia, priesthood, lay ministry) in which we as the Body of Christ can engage. Discernment helps us learn to articulate the places where God is active in our lives through a process of listening, reflecting, and responding in circles of community. And, actively engaging in discernment helps us to identify our gifts for ministry while discovering new learning opportunities to serve God and our neighbor.

The Stevenson School for Ministry is dedicated to the lifelong learning and discernment processes of all Episcopalians in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and beyond. We seek to make theological education available to all, because we believe it to be essential to furthering the mission and ministry of the Church.

A Typical SSFM Course

Each 10-week vocational course and five week vocational course is designed and taught by one or more of our faculty who have a history of significant experience in teaching and academic achievement as well as involvement with the local church.

Fall, Winter and Spring terms begin and end with face to face residential retreats, however during the 2020-2021 academic year we will replace the residential retreats with Webinars. All current students and faculty are invited to gather to engage in worship, learning and community building.

These webinar retreats also feature a special theme and keynote speaker. Students during these sessions are invited to engage in a topic that is essential to their theological, spiritual and faith formation growth.

Our learning platform, Populi allows students all access to online resources, lessons and the ability to enter into discussion threads as well as post assignments. Through zoom sessions students and faculty participate in weekly course discussions with didactic teaching and peer learning. The Stevenson School for Ministry learning environment makes a theological education possible for those who need flexibility in their schedules due to careers, families, and more.

Spiritual, Intellectual, and Pastoral Formation

Our courses use a threefold approach to leadership development. Students in our diaconate, lay, and priesthood programs can expect to grow in the following qualities of leadership:

Spiritual Formation
- Well-developed faith and an established relationship to Jesus Christ
- A regular routine of daily personal and communal prayer
- An established pattern of ongoing spiritual renewal
Intellectual Formation
- Communicate a knowledge of faith and church tradition
- Courses offered for competency in all canonical exam areas
Pastoral and Mission Formation
- Practical theology to serve and develop congregational leadership
- Gathering new insights on how to minister to and with others that includes accountability and evaluation to continue to be formed
- Congregational and missional development skills

STATEMENT OF INCLUSION

The Stevenson School for Ministry affirms a commitment to equality of opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression preference, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other classification protected by law in admissions, financial aid, educational programs, housing and services, or in employment practices. Beyond the policy of non-discrimination, the SSFM acts affirmatively to attain a more balanced representation of under-represented racial and ethnic minorities in order to add valuable diversity to the life of the school.