Locally Commissioned Ministry

Local leaders, local teams

The Diocese of Oxford is committed to supporting local leaders in growing local teams of ministers, through releasing said leaders to identify and nurture those in their congregations called to different ministries. We know the multitude of training needed can become burdensome, so we've collated some courses and resources.

No two ministries or ministers are the same. The idea of commending courses is that church leaders and those ministering with them can choose together which courses match their needs. We hope that the courses mentioned here and on the Learning Hub will help you find your own training pathway. 

For example, someone on the pastoral team who works with socially isolated people and finds people want to talk about faith, but feels they need to know more to help people find answers to faith questions, might choose Pastoral Care, the Sanctuary Course, and the Story of Scripture.

Click on a heading below for relevant training. This is a growing library of courses, so keep checking back. Some of our courses are available in multiple languages.

If you want to talk to a member of the lay training team about creating a learning pathway, please contact Andy Angel.

How can we help?

Everyday Conversations: Start to Stir


Provider:
Start to Stir
Time:
Eight video sessions
Cost:
£39 but bursaries available

Five Marks of Mission


Provider:
Diocese of Oxford
Time:
Five sessions
Cost:
Free

Messy Church Masterclasses


Provider:
BRF Ministries
Time:
90 minutes
Cost:
Free - £10

Mission and Evangelism


Provider:
Diocese of Oxford
Time:
Nine weeks online and one study day through autumn
Cost:
Free

OCCA Confident Faith: Apologetics for Everyone


Provider:
OCCA The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics
Time:
Six sessions
Cost:
Free

OCCA Foundational Apologetics


Provider:
OCCA The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics
Time:
Ten sessions
Cost:
£380 (group discounts and bursaries available)

The OCCA One Year Hybrid Course


Provider:
OCCA The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics
Time:
2.5 hours online per week (term time, Sept-June) and two, three day intensives in Oxford
Cost:
£2100 (2025-26 cost)
Powered by Church Edit