IMA Membership
Download the IMA Membership Pack
Download the Ministers Insurance Proposal Form
(Insurance is required for ministers on the public register. The Interfaith Foundation is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Balens Ltd, 2 Nimrod House, Sandy's Lane, Malvern Worcestershire WR14 1JJ, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.)
The Interfaith Ministers Association (IMA) is the spiritual community of ministers and counsellors ordained by the Interfaith Seminary. It is the ground from which we go out to minister in service to others, and to which we return for support and sanctuary. The Association aims to:
- Bring ministers together in an inclusive, supportive, and mutually-nurturing community for the sharing and growth of our spiritual life
- Establish opportunities for shared spiritual practice across the community
- Provide a means by which we can engage together in practice, supervision, learning and development
- Establish a public register whereby we can offer our services to the community and the public can find a minister for their needs
- Define and maintain the standards by which we serve others.
The Association supports us in both a personal and professional capacity, and in our relationships with each other, with clients, and with the Source of All. In building a real and tangible community together, we will be able to:
- Co-create and share in a community rhythm of spiritual living and practice on a daily, weekly and annual cycle
- Give support and encouragement to other ministers
- Receive guidance, insight and learning from our community
- Promote our own ministry to the wider public
- Be assured that we are surrounded and upheld by others, seen and unseen.
Membership of the Association
Membership of the Interfaith Ministers Association is open to all those who have been ordained by the Interfaith Seminary. At a future date, the trustees may decide to extend membership to people ordained by other training bodies in reciprocal relationship with the Interfaith Foundation.
There are two modes of membership:
- 1. A Member (MIMA) is an ordained minister wishing to belong to a community of like-minded and like-qualified people and intending to participate in the activities, communications and opportunities provided by the Association.
- 2. A Member on the Register (RIMA) is an ordained minister with an active ministry in the world, who wishes to be listed in the Public Register of Interfaith Ministers. Registered Members enjoy the same community benefits as Members; they have access to additional benefits including listing in the Public Register.
Students in training with the Interfaith Seminary are regarded as temporary Members and are entitled to the same benefits as Members. Trustees, faculty members, mentors, accredited supervisors and management staff are normally expected to be Members on the Register.
The requirements for membership
Members (MIMA) must be ordained by the Interfaith Seminary (or other recognised body), and they must abide by their Personal Vow, Seminary Vows and the Code of Ethics and by all other guidelines published by the Interfaith Foundation.
Members on the Register (RIMA) must also meet the same criteria as Members (MIMA). In addition, they must abide by the requirements for Supervision and Continuous Professional Development and they must hold valid public and professional liability insurance.
The benefits of membership
As a member of the Association you are encouraged to join and engage with our wider community of ministers in sharing our practice and understanding of ministry. You will be able to benefit from and contribute to the promotion of the Interfaith Foundation and its work with the public, including our relationships with other faith groups and organisations. * denotes that there may be a cost for the specified benefit.
For all Members (MIMA & RIMA):
* Opportunities to participate in the spiritual activities and practices of the Interfaith Foundation.
* Opportunities to attend Convocation.
Subscription to the email newsletter.
Subscription to any Foundation community magazine.
* Access to training courses, seminars, workshops and events organised by the Interfaith Foundation.
* Access to post-ordination professional development courses, workshops and retreats that are Seminary-accredited.
Members may designate themselves as MIMA (Member of the Interfaith Ministers Association).
Additional benefits for Members on the Register (RIMA):
Specially negotiated professional indemnity and public liability insurance for ministers.
Inclusion on the Public Register of Interfaith Ministers. This register is published online and is fully searchable. Information from the Register is made available by the Administration Office to public enquirers. Registered Members (RIMA) can create and edit their own detailed online profile, including contact details and links to their own website.
Invitations to respond to commissioning requests from the Seminary for new courses and events.
Opportunities to put forward courses and events for CPD accreditation.
Entitled to use the Foundation logo in connection with professional marketing. All logos and text relating to the Interfaith Foundation that you use in your marketing must be as shown on the Foundation's website and without any modification.
Facilities for uploading details of services, courses, workshops and retreats to the public online events calendar. A selection of these will be featured in the email newsletter.
Access to an online library of resource materials such as ceremonies, prayers, rituals, etc. Registered Members may upload and share their own resources, and download other materials.
Access to an online discussion forum.
A professional Journal containing articles and features of interest to interfaith ministers.
Discounts on the fees for attending Convocation, training courses and other events organised or sponsored by the Interfaith Foundation.
Registered Members may designate themselves as RIMA (Member on the Register of the Interfaith Ministers Association).
Our Commitments - the expectations and requirements of members
All Members of the Interfaith Ministers Association have taken a Personal Vow, the Interfaith Seminary Vows, and agreed to abide by the Interfaith Foundation's Code of Ethics.
These are the essential Commitments which we strive to maintain in our personal conduct, our professional work with clients, and our public ministry in the community. In living by these Commitments, we seek to be in alignment with the guiding Souce of All in our lives, maintaining clear intent, action and relationship in our ministry and service with others.
Download the IMA Membership Pack
Download the Ministers Insurance Proposal Form
(Insurance is required for ministers on the public register. The Interfaith Foundation is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Balens Ltd, 2 Nimrod House, Sandy's Lane, Malvern Worcestershire WR14 1JJ, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.)
