Cherry Hill Seminary

Ministry & Clergy

Established religious organizations have the benefit of formal authorized leadership called clergy. Clergy perform the ritual aspects of religious life, including rites of passage such as childbirth, baptism, circumcision, coming of age, marriage, weddings and death. Clergy also teach their religion’s doctrine and practices, as well as provide spiritual guidance.

As an example, the various denominations of Christianity have a broad range of formal and informal clergy positions, otherwise called ministry, including deacons, priests and bishops. All denominations require that the minister has a sense of ‘calling.’ Training requirements vary but often require advanced tertiary education qualifications from a seminary, theological college or university.

Contemporary Pagan Clergy

In ancient times, pagan (polytheistic) religions typically had a priesthood, which was a body of priests, shamans, or oracles. Implicit with the term priest was the function of communicating with the gods on behalf of the community.

Contemporary pagans, have until recently been on the fringes of mainstream society. Society may not be sure quite what to make of paganism, but can no longer ignore it, as it is one of the fastest-growing religions in the world.

Paganism is characterized by a plethora of diverse traditions. Adherents of the various traditions may either be on a solitary path or within groups which may or may not have a hierarchical structure. Numerous pagan groups have resources available for clergy training specific to their tradition. Many of these clergy are now ready to begin serving outside their groups. This requires quality higher education and practical training in ministry and counseling that can be readily applied to the entire pagan community.

Cherry Hill Seminary is the first and only graduate-level education for pagan ministry in the modern world. It offers online distance-learning classes, regional workshops and intensive retreats. Cherry Hill Seminary aims to produce a professional, competent, educated and recognizable group of scholars, leaders, teachers, chaplains and clergy who have been educated at the graduate level – in a pagan learning environment, by pagans, and for pagans. Importantly, Cherry Hill Seminary respects diversity within the pagan community and encourages individual and spiritual autonomy by supplementing existing ritual and magical skills. Cherry Hill Seminary will be accepting Master’s degree applicants for the Fall 2009 Semester. Accreditation has been applied for and might be achieved in three years.

Tony is honoured to be on the Board of Directors of Cherry Hill Seminary, while Jo-Ann is equally honoured to be on their Communications Committee and is the coordinator for their SCRIP fundraising programme.

It is important to note that Jo-Ann has initiated two fundraising programmes.

CHS SCRIP Fundraising Programme

These programmes provide supporters the ability to give enormous monetary support to Cherry Hill Seminary at NO cost to the participants! In this economy its difficult enough to pay bills and be able to give your support to a great non-profit organization! These programmes allow you to do both easily!

The only difference would be for you to do your shopping with Simplified Scrip or on-line through the Cherry Hill Seminary e-Mall.

Hundreds of merchants to choose from, including groceries, gas, drug stores, department stores, restaurants, book/gift stores, & more!

With all the merchants to choose from, your normal shopping can really add up!
You REALLY can support Cherry Hill Seminary WITHOUT any extra cost to you!

For more information about each SCRIP programme click the link buttons located in the left side bar!

Are you interested in scheduling Tony to present one or more of the
Workshops and/or Lectures for your local event or shop?

Would you like to purchase a signed copy of
GEM and/or the Companion CD?

Click Here!

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