About
AOCM Is Your Voice
The Association of Ordinands and Candidates for Ministry (AOCM) was founded in 1968 by ordinand members of the Student Christian Movement. Today AOCM represents all those sponsored by an Anglican Bishop for ordained ministry in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales as well as those training as evangelists with the Church Army.
AOCM holds three conferences (meetings) a year to which every training course, residential and part residential, are encouraged to send an elected representative. Every college and course has an AOCM rep, (if your college or course doesn’t, could God be calling you to be that person? Contact Us!) and the AOCM committee which consists of the reps, the Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and a Ministry Division representative.
The meetings, three times a year, are to discuss issues that our church is facing that affect Ordinands, be part of the consultation process with Ministry Division or equivalent, and any issues that Ordinands may be currently facing.
AOCM is both a focus for fellowship between ordinands and the principal body where their concerns are related to the wider Church.
After our meetings the executive committee will discuss with Ministry Division within the Church of England to discuss any issues raised at the meeting. This meeting has developed into a consultation approach since 2010, the growing emphasis of AOCM’s role. Any specific issues within a course are also rasied.
The structure of the church is such that dioceses operate in different ways and as a result issues can often appear ambiguous or clouded to individual ordinands. In fact, lack of information or clarity is often the biggest cause of anxiety and misunderstanding, and this is where AOCM can help, shedding light on situations. AOCM is privileged to receive information from Minsitry Division and institutions to help Ordinands so avoiding issues before they arise.
AOCM is your voice, listening and working with the Church, seeking to make known our Father, Son and Holy and Spirit.