Ordination and Training
Priesthood
Since they will exercise private sacramental Priesthood for home gatherings, spiritual practice, and the education of others, Home Templars are required to undertake serious study and training. The Home Temple qualifies Postulants and Candidates for Holy Orders through a self-paced course of studies designed, simplified, and guided by scholars based upon the profound spirituality of Mar Yeshua, the Master Jesus. Sincere men and women of any educational background may undertake training, which is offered in English in Australia.
It is important to note that Completion of seminary training does not guarantee Ordination. If impediments to Ordination are discovered after acceptance into the seminary program (criminal activities, non-disclosure of previous abuse of clerical authority, etc.), the Presiding Bishops may elect not to authorize Ordination in the Home Temple.
Basic Priesthood Ordination Program Leading to Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) Degree:
Diaconate and Priesthood Study Modules (see CURRICULUM), which can be completed in less than two years.
Episcopal Program for Consecration as a Bishop:
Those who distinguish themselves in Priesthood and spiritual leadership for at least two years may be nominated by a Bishop of the Synod to undertake Episcopal training and Consecration
Qualifications for Consecration as a Bishop include:
A) Minimal two years of demonstrated spiritual leadership in the Home Temple Priesthood;
(B) Core Curriculum and Major Emphasis Courses taken at the www.wisdomseminars.org site through the School of Sacred Studies for M.Div. or D.D. Degrees;
(C) successful completion of the First Order Empowerments of the Temple of the Holy Grail.
For Complete Description of Qualifications see bottom of SACRED STUDIES page.
PURPOSE OF THE ORDINATION STUDIES
Unlike other seminary programs, ours is designed to transmit universal principles of Priesthood, which are shamanic. Thus we do not train people in celebrating such forms as the Catholic Tridentine Mass. Instead we use liturgy to transmit the kabbalistic teachings of Yeshua. For the duration of Ordination studies, Subdeacons and Deacons work with as well special spiritual practices to connect the student with spiritual practices of the Master Jesus, including the keeping of a Kabbalistic Shabbat Seder and brief morning and evening meditation and contemplation with daily journal entries. Emphasis is upon learning and practicing the Inner and Outer Halakah of Yeshua and relating it to spiritual liturgy.
Students are also encouraged to undertake T:.H:.G:. esoteric studies and practices. The Kabbalistic Eucharist of the Home Temple is designed to develop basic principles for powerful and effective liturgics in the context of the form of mystical communion developed in the Messianic Havurah Seder of Mar Yeshua and his disciples. After Ordination to the independent Priesthood, Ordinands are under no obligation to continue using the Home Temple Sacramentary and rituals, whose purposes were specifically for training, but may adopt or create whatever rituals best reflect their ministries.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM OF STUDIES WORK?
Those who are accepted into the Subdiaconate as Postulants for Holy Orders pursue a curriculum of home studies with online audio, video, and written materials. They include topical courses that have been organized and simplified from curriculums taught in Jewish and Christian seminaries, as well as unique and relevant materials developed specifically for Home Temple students.
Students submit written answers in the topical studies and undergo a process of self-exploration and development integrating teachings and practice, for which a spiritual diary is submitted. When this is successfully completed, usually after about six months, they qualify as Candidates for Ordination into the Apostolic Succession as Deacons of the Home Temple. They continue with studies to qualify for Ordination to Priesthood–six to eighteen months more. The Bachelor of Divinity or B.D. Degree is conferred along with Ordination once the Priesthood Studies have been completed.
AFTER ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD
After Ordination, Priests and Priestesses operate their own independent ministries in compliance with the Home Temple Code of Ethics. They are licensed under a Home Temple Bishop of their choice, and they may apply for a legal Church Charter by the Home Temple. They are empowered to use any liturgy, theology, vestments, or other orientation that seems best to them–Christian, Buddhist, Wiccan, Jewish, Hindu, Taoist, Theosophical, etc.
Their only obligation is to keep the Code of Ethics. They pay no dues or other fees to the Home Temple or their Bishops, but are expected to keep in collegial contact and link their web site or e-mail address to the list of churches in the Home Temple online and other published directories. Those who keep in touch and develop effective ministries will be nominated by their Bishops and formally invited for advancement into the Independent Episcopate.
