You've probably heard that about 75 percent of the parish and mission churches in the Episcopal Church are in small, often rural, communities. They have few communicants. Their limited budgets are frequently insufficient to hire priests on a full-time basis.

Many congregations are located at a considerable distance from each other or have very different liturgical and ecclesiological self-understandings. But they also view the Sunday celebration of the Holy Eucharist as indispensable to their life and mission. These and other factors make formation of parish clusters difficult, if not impossible. But there are other ways forward.

Through the Bexley Institute, we train clergy and laity for the various ministries in a way that underscores the connection between doctrinal orthodoxy and social engagement. We believe that formation should take place within the committed and disciplined Christian community, maintaining the connection between learning and prayer.

Our curriculum interweaves discernment, formation, and education; lay and ordained ministries; scripture, tradition, theological reflection, and context-based experience. We're flexible in curricular design, staffing, and location of program. At the moment, we staff a program in upstate New York and another in West Virginia in cooperation with local dioceses.

We can develop programs that are based primarily within a diocese or work out patterns of study that enables students to spend considerable time engaged in the program in ways best suited to their individual needs. In the near future, we'll offer options for Internet-based distance education courses as well.

If you would like more detail about the offerings of the Bexley Institute for Small and Rural Congregations, contact us.