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new members welcome
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All of us are
called to some kind of ministry as Christians and God has given each
of us gifts and talents to be used in His service. Sometimes this
calling to ministry doesn't fit comfortably in a purely
denominationally based setting and doesn't get the recognition,
encouragement and support it deserve.
Does this sound
familiar? If you think God is calling you to a ministry which is not
restricted by denominational barriers then please do contact the
Order. It costs nothing to ask other than a little time and the
rewards may prove far greater than could ever be imagined.
further
information
e-mail
enquiries
Right: one
of the specially marked first response vehicles operated by On Call members and carrying
the charity logo. |
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membership
can be applied for in either of two forms:
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membership type |
general
description - some variance may apply depending on member's personal
circumstances and ability to offer regular commitment |
|
ordinary member |
for ordained members and those
belonging to recognised religious communities whose calling is
accepted as being within the 'On Call' tradition |
|
ministry support team |
for those people who give their
support to the general work and ministry of the Order and the charity. |
Application
packs are available by e-mail
or via the 'documents and downloads' section on this page. |
membership
enquiries: read carefully!
Regardless of
denomination or Christian tradition, clergy (priests, ministers,
pastors, etc) and those in religious orders, who share the 'On Call'
vision and feel called to be part of the 'On Call' community are
warmly welcomed in the name of Christ to contact us for further
information.
There are no
specific financial costs involved in becoming a member of the Order
but a high level of commitment is required - the application process
is therefore quite searching and acceptance into the Order is not
automatic.
A CRB check is
mandatory (an enhanced CRB check if working or intending to work with
children) and at least one interview is required in all cases.
An application
should not be made lightly or without real discernment, consideration
and thought.
required
reading before
applying
additional considerations
As a matter of
professional courtesy, you should also check with your sponsoring
denomination before applying for membership of the Order. Those
without denominational attachments are particularly welcome.
Please remember
that On Call members are volunteers and take responsibility for their
own financial support.
Following
agreement by all members present at the Order's A.G.M on 22/10/2006,
membership applicants should ideally be aged 25 years old or more.
There is no
upper age restriction but members reaching 75 years of age will be
required to undertake a yearly review of their ministry loading with
the Executive Bishop or other appointed person as part of the Order's
'Duty of Care'. This is a supportive process which fully recognises
the right to ministry and is open to all members of the Order by
request at any time.
Please note
that all
levels of On Call membership come under the direct supervision and
authority of the Executive Bishop.
documents
and downloads
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PDF version of
the Rule of Simplicity |
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RTF Member's
Applications Pack download |
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PDF version of
the Members Handbook and Rule |
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RTF Ministry
Support Team Application download |
Ministry
Support Team membership enquiries:
For those people who give their
support to the general work and ministry of the Order and the charity.
The initial
applications procedure is very simple and straight forward. A short
initial application form can be downloaded by clicking the
appropriate link in the 'documents and downloads' section on this
page.
It helps if MST
applicants can obtain the sponsorship of an existing member of the
Order or their minister/pastor/priest/senior member of their church
or community.
All ministry
support team member applicants are required to have/obtain a current
CRB form if intending to or working with children and at risk groups.
From 2010, additional ISA clearance will be required by law.
Ministry
Support Team members are expected to be pro-active and may attend the
Order's Annual General Meeting and will be invited to take part in
voting procedures at the discretion of the Executive Bishop.
Clergy/Ordinary
membership applications
procedure:
The current
application pack is now a quite lengthy document and is deliberately
intended to test the resolve of applicants and should help new
applicants to the Order discern whether they are truly called to
serve God in this form of ministry.
Included in it are:-
1. the basic
application form,
2. a duty of
care assessment,
3. a formal
assent to the principles and guidelines/governance form,
4. the
mandatory child protection forms
5. criminal
record declarations,
6. a
professional conduct agreement
7. and a
'vision check'.
8. Applicants
are also asked to acknowledge the authority of the Exeutive Bishop
and Executive Council in matters relating to the Order if accepted
for membership.
All
clergy/ordinary member applicants are required to obtain a current
CRB form and those intending to or working with children and at risk
groups must obtain an enhanced CRB. From 2010, additional ISA
clearance will be required by law.
Acceptance into
the Order is never automatic, is based on existing ministry,
spiritual gifting, discernment and prayer, and not on academic
achievement or other qualification alone.
Membership of
the Order, whether ordinary membership or ministry support team
membership, is open to both men and women.
New applicants
will be offered help and assistance in completing the applications
form and will be assigned a member of the Order who will support and
advise them throughout the applications procedure.
Notes:
Membership cards will be issued
to all members of the Order (Ordinary members and Ministry Support
Team members) and are valid until the date specified on the card,
usually for a period of not more than 12 months although this may be
waived by the Executive Bishop according to circumstances.
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