Institute of Ministry

Learning that forms the heart, strengthens the mind,
and protects the vulnerable.

Learning & Formation

Learning that forms the heart, strengthens the mind, and protects the vulnerable.

Welcome to the Institute of Ministry

Welcome to the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission’s learning and formation page.

This page brings together the learning work of the Mission, including ministry formation through the AOCM Institute of Ministry, safeguarding training, continuing learning, and certificate verification.

Our learning is designed for those preparing for ordained or licensed ministry, clergy seeking incardination or orientation, ministers needing safeguarding training, and others who serve the Church in pastoral, sacramental, or community settings.

This is not simply online religious content. It is structured ecclesial learning rooted in the ancient faith of the Church, shaped by pastoral responsibility, and ordered towards reverent, accountable, and safe ministry.

Our Philosophy: Formation over Information

We believe that preparation for ministry is not merely an intellectual exercise but a gradual shaping of the heart, mind, and spirit. While academic rigour is valuable, our primary goal is formation—helping you grow in integrity, compassion, and understanding so that you may serve others safely and faithfully.

Recognition and Accreditation

Integrity is the bedrock of our ministry. Therefore, we are transparent about the nature of our training:

  • Ecclesiastical, not Secular: The Apostolic Old Catholic Mission’s Institute of Ministry is a religious mission, not a state-accredited university or college. Our awards and certificates are ecclesiastical in nature. They are designed to equip you for ministry within the Church and are not intended to replace secular degrees or state-regulated qualifications.
  • For All Who Serve: While our theology is rooted in the sacramental tradition, many of our courses—particularly those on Safeguarding and Ethics—are designed for ministers of any tradition. We aim to nurture “theology without arrogance”, providing tools that help all servants of the Gospel minister with greater safety and awareness.

Understanding Formation Hours & CPD/CEU

To help you track your growth, we measure our courses in Formation Hours.

Formation Hours describe the time you spend in organised study, reflection, and assessment. In many professional and church settings, this concept is known as CPD (Continuing Professional Development), CEUs (Continuing Education Units), or ongoing ministerial development.

Put simply: these are documented learning hours completed to ensure you remain competent, accountable, and safe in your practice.

  • Logging Your Hours: While we are not an accredited CPD provider, many denominations and professional associations accept our certificates as evidence of independent learning. If you plan to use our courses for your annual development record, please verify with your governing body what evidence they require.
  • Certification: Upon completing a course, you will receive a certificate containing a unique verification number.

Certificate Verification

Transparency is vital to trust. Anyone—whether a bishop, an employer, or a church council—can verify the authenticity of a certificate issued by us. Verify a Certificate Here

What You Will Find Here

The Institute of Ministry includes several kinds of learning within the life of the Mission.

Our formation pathways support those discerning or preparing for ministry in the independent sacramental tradition. These courses are intended to form candidates in theology, liturgy, pastoral practice, ethics, safeguarding, and the responsibilities of ordained or licensed ministry.

Our safeguarding courses help clergy, ministers, volunteers, and church workers understand safe pastoral practice, healthy boundaries, first response to concerns or disclosures, and the protection of children, vulnerable adults, and others at risk.

Our continuing learning provision supports those who are already serving and wish to deepen their knowledge, refresh their practice, or document ongoing ministerial development.

Where certificates are issued, they may be checked through our certificate verification page. This helps churches, bishops, councils, and other responsible bodies confirm that a certificate was issued by the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission.

Learning in the Mission is therefore not treated as a private achievement only. It is part of public accountability, pastoral responsibility, and service to Christ and His Church.

Current Course Offerings

Please explore our current courses below. While our foundational guidance is often shared freely, we charge a nominal fee for courses that require active marking, feedback, and administrative support. This ensures the sustainability of our formation work while keeping it accessible.

Have a specific need? We are always looking to serve the real needs of the community. If there is a specific topic you would like us to cover, or a course you feel is missing, we welcome your suggestions.

Please let us know via our Contact Page.