Forming Leaders for the Whole Church
For more than a decade, the Iona School for Ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia has prepared leaders for faithful service in the Church through rigorous, reflective, and locally rooted theological formation. The school forms candidates for ordained ministry while also equipping lay leaders for meaningful participation in the shared leadership of congregational life.
The Iona School participates in the Iona Collaborative, a network of local formation programs developed by Seminary of the Southwest. Through this partnership, students engage a carefully designed curriculum in scripture, theology, church history, and ministry practice, while remaining rooted in their local communities and congregations.
The program combines academic learning, spiritual formation, and practical ministry training through readings, lectures, discussion, applied learning, and field education in ministry settings. Students learn together in community while developing the skills needed for leadership in today’s church.
Clergy Formation Track
Forming Candidates for Ordained Ministry
The Iona clergy formation pathway prepares those discerning a call to holy orders as deacons or priests whose vocational or family commitments make relocation to a residential seminary impractical.
The program offers a three-year hybrid formation model that combines academic rigor with contextual ministry training. Academic content is delivered in a flipped-classroom format through the Iona Collaborative at the Seminary of the Southwest and facilitated by qualified local instructors. Students gather regularly to deepen theological understanding, practice ministry skills, and reflect together on their experiences in the Church.
Formation includes study in:
- Scripture and biblical interpretation
- Christian theology and ethics
- Church history and Anglican identity
- Liturgical leadership and worship planning
- Preaching and proclamation
- Pastoral care
- Diaconal ministry
- Community engagement
Students also participate in field education placements within ministry contexts, allowing them to integrate theological learning with the lived practice of ministry.
To learn more, take a look at the Application Information for the 2026-2027 school year, or contact the dean, the Rev. Courtney Jones.
Lay Formation Track
Licensing and Certificate Programs for Lay Leaders
Recognizing that not every call to ministry is a call to ordained ministry, the Iona School is expanding its work to include formation pathways for lay leaders who seek deeper theological grounding and practical ministry preparation.
These programs provide structured learning and spiritual formation for those serving in leadership roles within congregations and ministry settings.
Proposed licensure and certificate pathways include:
- Administrative Leadership
- Worship Leadership
- Pastoral Care
- Catechist & Christian Formation
- Preaching
Programs may include both individual and cohort-based coursework, parish-based ministry application, and spiritual formation within a supportive learning community. To learn more, contact the dean, the Rev. Courtney Jones.