Paid Curacy / Church Planter Training

Every future pastor or church planter first needs a curacy. As part of its “Church Planter Pipeline” ministry, The Chapel of the Cross—a Reformed Episcopal parish in Dallas, Texas—offers a two-year minimum paid postulancy, diaconate, or curacy (post-ordination to the priesthood).

The Chapel’s purpose is to develop an already well-rounded candidate for a lifetime of stable and productive ministry—and particularly to develop deeply relevant Anglican parishes in an ecclesial culture of demise. To this end we are committed 1) to subordinating ourselves to the traditional Cranmerian liturgy and calendar as the best means for governing worship, parish life, and mission; and 2) to redeveloping small, classical, parish schools as the Anglican norm.

A curacy exhibits its value by allowing a man to be shaped, during or after his theological training, in a place where he clearly bears the “yoke” under the direction of his “chief minister” and without yet exercising authority. Since a young man is more useful—and less dangerous— after such a curacy, Holy Mother Church has generally considered them to be wise and has required them.

The Chapel, along with its ministry, The Saint Timothy School, provides such a place by combining a number of tasks and roles for skillset growth and spiritual development. The sung Daily Office and Festal Calendar is observed in the life of the parish school. A curate catechizes, preaches, visits, and learns administrative tasks, as is expected. But other skills will yield dividends for a lifetime, and offer character-forming spiritual development in community.

Teaching classes of various ages in the parish school helps a man learn skills and see weaknesses before unknown. The acquired pedagogical procedures and habits of classically taught classrooms will humble and benefit him and his ministry for life. Teaching also broadens a man’s view of the priesthood, beyond the simple pastorate. He begins to resonate to Saint Theophan, “Of all holy works, the education of children is the holiest.” Manual labor comprises part of the Benedictine Rule for the full balance of a man; it also provides time for reflection, and reason for satisfaction. Finally, administrative and visionary work is provided through school development, interacting with friends and donors, along with the usual parish administration acquired during a curacy.

In short, a Benedictine monastic vocation is offered for formation in the Anglican Tradition of the Re-formed Catholic Church. Each curate has different skills and interests, which are taken into account. But these are the areas The Chapel seeks to combine in a single job description for a one to three year period of ministerial formation.

Opportunity Candidates will:

• hone their preaching skills;
• learn pastoral care with experienced clergy;
• acquire parish organization experience;
• understand and participate daily in traditional liturgy;
• learn to teach in the parish school;
• develop evangelistic outreach; and
• gain experience in parish and school administration.

Qualifications
A fitting candidate:

• will have completed (or enrolled for) a theological degree for ordination;
• can become canonically resident in The Reformed Episcopal Church;
• is a true humanist, and can teach broadly in a parish school, without restricting specialization in disciplines, or in age groups (e.g. is as happy to teach Math and Science, as Literature and Rhetoric—in Lower, Middle, or High School);
• remains teachable: is able to receive instruction and correction;
• can work within the churchmanship and framework of The Chapel of the Cross;
• embraces humility as the first virtue (or at least second!): can adopt and build the vision of another, without imposing his own; and
• is able to live frugally on a sufficient stipend.
For more information, or to apply, please contact our office:

The Chapel of the Cross
4333 Cole Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75205
Tel: 214.521.6062

office@TheChapeloftheCross.com

www.TheChapeloftheCross.com

www.TheSaintTimothySchool.org

In Christ, and for the Kingdom,

The Rt. Rev’d John Peter Boonzaaijer,
Rector & Head of School
International REC Missionary Bishop and Suffragan for Cuba