The Caleb Stream is a discernment and training pathway towards Church of England ordination for mature lay leaders with leadership experience, enabling them to train for the diaconate within one year.
Caleb was strong and vigorous in exercising his ministry well into his mature years (Joshua 14).
This stream aims to mobilise a generation rich in Christian leadership and life experience to serve in parishes across the UK.
Across the one year programme each student will receive teaching and formation, drawing on the strengths and gifts they bring and investing in the ministry God is calling them to step into. The cohort will journey together through a series of in-person and online engagement, as well as the national discernment processes.
Further Information
The Caleb Stream is revitalising the church by preparing experienced leaders who are called to serve in their local context as self-supporting ordained ministers.
Through a one-year pathway for ordained ministry in the Church of England, the Caleb Stream is designed specifically for mature and experienced lay leaders. It overlaps the formal selection process and training, preparing candidates for ordination and local deployment after 12 months.
The Caleb Stream is open to candidates at our London Monday, and East Midlands Tuesday Centres.
Candidates complete bespoke, high quality, part-time training over one academic year, alongside their current job or role. At the same time, they are supported through the national discernment process for ordination, aiming for a recommendation in time to be ordained the following Petertide/Michaelmas.
Candidates are then able to be deployed as self-supporting ministers, usually back into the local context in which they are already serving.
The Caleb Stream is open to candidates who have a track record of leadership, ministry and life experience, and who sense a call to ordained ministry. Candidates will need the support of their diocese to join the Caleb Stream. If you are interested in joining the stream, please contact us for an initial conversation by emailing calebstream@stmellitus.ac.uk.
