Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee

Continuing Education


This resource is intended primarily for the clergy and lay professionals of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee, and its development will be an ongoing process. Items have been culled from a variety of sources, including the national church Web site. Please send additions and corrections to editor@etdiocese.net.

From the Commission on Ministry

Please note that new church canons require continuing education for priests and an annual reporting of that education (III.9.1). As the designated group responsible for such matters, the Commission on Ministry asks that each priest plan to discuss the past year's continuing education during his or her annual meeting with the bishop. The COM also would appreciate a list, brief summary and evaluation of continuing education to help us keep track of what is working and be able to pass that information along.

- The Rev. Suzanne Smitherman, chairwoman

From the Diocesan Deployment Officer

The diocese has adopted a Continuing Education Policy to guide vestries and clergy regarding continuing education.

Did you also know that the diocese has some limited continuing education funds set aside for which clergy can apply? The Goldie Mayfield Memorial Fund for Continuing Education was established in 1993 to assist clergy with their continuing education needs. The income is currently being reinvested but some may be used at the discretion of the bishop. An application form may be downloaded.

- The Rev. Canon Stephen Askew

Sources for Continuing education

  • The Alban Institute is a nonprofit, nondenominational membership organization that focuses on strengthening local congregations and their leaders. Go to www.alban.org and click the "education" tab.
  • Auburn Seminary in New York City sponsors programs about complex issues in religious traditions and contemporary life and encourages thoughtful conversation across divisive boundaries of faith, race, class and gender. Go to www.auburnsem.org.
  • Cathedral College, formerly the College of Preachers, offers 15-20 weeklong conferences each year, and it sustains a visiting faculty of 30 or so scholars and preachers who represent the Anglican Communion, the Episcopal Church and other mainline denominations. Visit www.cathedralcollege.org/.
  • Launched in 1995, the Center for Anglican Learning and Leadership is a program of the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley, Calif., which offers online courses and weekend seminars on issues critical to the ministries of both clergy and laity. Visit cdsp.edu/call.html.
  • The Center for Lifetime Theological Education at Virginia Theological Seminary offers courses and seminars for clergy and lay leaders set both on the campus in Alexandria, Va., and at other centers around the country. Visit www.vts.edu.
  • The Center of Continuing Education on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey, presents clergy and laity with opportunities to participate in theological inquiry to increase their effectiveness for ministry. Events are scheduled in a variety of formats, from one day to one week. Visit the Web at www.ptsem.edu/ce/.
  • The Episcopal Church Calendar, produced by Episcopal Life, is a searchable index of conferences, lectures, short courses and seminars on the Web at episcopalchurch.org/calendar.htm
  • Faith and Wisdom is a cooperative project of seven North American denominations that compiles events and programs offered throughout the world. Search by keyword, audience, date, agency, denomination, learning methods or topic, individually or in combination at www.faithandwisdom.org.
  • Kanuga Conferences, sponsored by the dioceses of Province IV, offers a variety of continuing education opportunities for clergy and laity throughout the year. Visit the Web at www.kanuga.org for a list of current offerings.
  • The School of Theology at University of the South, Sewanee, offers a series of continuing education programs. Clergy and laity who participate also teach current seminarians out of their own experiences in active ministry. Visit theology.sewanee.edu/.
  • Trinity Institute at Trinity, Wall Street, in New York City is a sponsor of national teleconferences, consultations and regional seminars. Visit the Web at www.trininst.org for a list of current offerings.
  • St. George's House, Windsor Castle, England, offers in-service courses for clergy as part of its founding vision. Visit the Web at www.stgeorgeshouse.org/ and click to "clergy courses."


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The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee

The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg, Bishop
814 Episcopal School Way · Knoxville TN 37932
Phone:  865.966.2110 · Fax:  865.966.2535

Web Editor: editor@etdiocese.net