The service role of the mentors involves: Assisting in the screening of potential candidates, discerning candidates' call and suitability for pursuing training. Helping to design seminary course of studies appropriate for each candidate. Seeing that the program requirements are being fulfilled, providing resources and supporting the seminarian. Communicating on a regular basis with the Director of Clergy Training, participating in evaluations and making recommendations about progress. Upon approval by the Director and the Presiding Bishop, the mentor may be delegated to confer Minor Orders on seminarians.

Field Practicum and Clinical Pastoral Education: During the seminary program, each seminarian is expected to find placement in a public ministry setting for at least six months and serve successfully under the supervision of a senior pastor, chaplain or pastoral counselor.

Examples of ministry settings where ACOC seminarians and deacons have served are: Parish settings, participating in worship leadership, Christian Education and social ministry outreach. Medical Center chaplaincy, in Clinical Pastoral Education programs, in Introductory Units during the summer or as an Extended Unit student. Workplace Ministry / Industrial Chaplaincy. Public Safety chaplaincy, working with police and fire fighter units, Emergency Medical Services. Workplace chaplaincy, in corporations, with employee assistance programs and labor unions. Prison and jail based ministry. Hospice chaplaincy, with training as volunteers and professional staff members. Clinical pastoral counseling training, in Masters degree program field placements and in pastoral counseling center programs sponsored by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

Advanced Clinical Training: Clergy members of the ACOC are encouraged throughout their life of public ministry to obtain advanced specialized training in their own areas of specialty.

The Division of Clergy Training assists in providing liaison between inquiring clergy and the various professional organizations that provide training.

Examples of advanced training programs utilized by ACOC clergy are: Residencies in Clinical Pastoral Education. These are usually in medical center settings and comprise Four Units of CPE per year, beginning in late August. ACOC clergy have completed as many as 10 Units in residencies. Pastoral Counseling clinical supervision and licensure. This entails 2,000 to 4,000 hours of professional practice under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional. License examination follows successful completion of supervision. Licenses held by ACOC clergy include Marriage and Family Therapy, Chemical Dependency Counselor, and Social Work. Certification in specialized areas, such as Mediation Training, other Conflict Resolution certifications and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing. Spiritual Direction. Spiritual Director training institutes, generally of a duration of three years, including course work and supervision.

Endorsement for Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling: All ACOC clergy engaged in public ministry in a chaplaincy, pastoral counseling, or related pastoral care capacity are to obtain ecclesiastical endorsement. The Division of Clergy Training and Chaplaincy oversees endorsement.

Chaplain Candidate Endorsement The steps towards qualification are as follows: A candidate initiates contact with the Division for discussion of goals and further educational needs. If clinical training is required, the Division assists the candidate in making application and gaining entry into an appropriate training program. Upon acceptance into a training venue, the candidate will be granted Chaplain Candidate Endorsement. Upon successful completion of training, the Chaplain Candidate may apply for ACOC Chaplain or Pastoral Counselor Endorsement.

Ecclesiastical Endorsement is renewed annually, in January. The following documentation of current status is to be submitted to the Division: A letter from the chaplain / pastoral counselor summarizing the ministry of the past year and plans for the coming year. Certificates of all professional continuing education completed during the past year, including seminars, organization meetings, retreats, and course work. Continued active membership in appropriate pastoral care organizations. The ACOC Division of Chaplaincy issues certificates of endorsement to endorsed clergy. When asked to do so, the Division also affirms current endorsements to outside requesting entities, including national professional organizations, potential or current employers, state licensing boards and the public. The ACOC is approved by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board as a recognized ecclesiastical endorsing agent to nominate clergy for the military chaplaincy. The Division of Chaplaincy will assist any ACOC clergy who wish to serve in the Armed Forces as an active duty chaplain or as a chaplain in the Reserves, National Guard or Civil Air Patrol in completing the appropriate applications for service.

National Church Clergy Communications Support: A major part of the office of the Presiding Bishop and other Church leadership is to encourage the local ministers of the church in their daily life and ministry. Areas of assistance include:

Daily availability of the Presiding Bishop for mentoring calls by phone or e-mail. During the week, the bishop works out of the Institute of Worklife Ministry, and weekends and evenings out of the Chancery church office. Periodic letters from the Presiding Bishop to all clergy and seminarians, with national and personal clergy news and issues for reflection and discussion among the clergy. Distribution of articles covering important topics for discussion and other resources, including annual scripture study guide.