YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
At OneSpirit, we believe that clarity and connection go hand in hand. We know that choosing to begin our Spiritual Development and Ministry Training is a deeply personal decision, and that having clear, accessible information makes all the difference.
This page brings together answers to the questions we’re most often asked, from how to apply and what to expect during the training, to assignments, support, fees, and ordination.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, or if something isn’t fully clear, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Every journey is unique, and we’re always happy to offer guidance and support as you explore whether OneSpirit is right for you.
Application Process
Can I join after the course has already started?
No, the first sessions of the year are essential for forming a supportive group. For this reason, both pathways begin together and we do not accept late starters.
Do I need to attend an Intro Day before applying?
Intro Days are optional, although many people find them helpful. They offer a friendly and relaxed way to meet tutors, ask questions, and explore whether ministry training is right for you.
What do I need before applying?
You will need permission from two character referees who are not relatives or partners. We will contact your referees once you have submitted your application form.
How do I apply?
You will be able to complete an online application form when enrolment opens. The form includes both practical questions and a few reflective prompts about your journey so far. If you need help at any point, you can reach out to us and we will be glad to support you!
Why choose OneSpirit’s Ministry Training?
Our training is rooted in human connection, curiosity, and spacious learning. Rather than teaching a fixed tradition, we explore spirituality in a way that honours all faiths and none. Tutors guide the journey, yet each class helps to shape the experience through shared wisdom. The curriculum responds to where you are in your life, and every student contributes to the collective learning environment. If you are looking for a training that welcomes your whole self and supports meaningful spiritual growth, you may feel at home here.
What happens after I submit my application?
We will contact your referees and then review your application with our tutor team. If your application is accepted, you will receive an offer with information about the next steps. Once your Training Agreement and first payment are in place, your place is confirmed. Before the course begins, you will receive guidance on accessing the student platform and preparing for the year ahead.
Do I need prior theological study or spiritual experience?
No, people join us from many different backgrounds. What matters most is an interest in personal growth, an openness to exploration, and a wish to serve others with integrity and care!
Do I need to have previous training or experience before applying?
No, you do not need any formal background in theology, counselling, ministry, or spiritual work before applying. People join the training from many different paths, including those who have never studied spirituality in a structured way before. What matters most is a sincere interest in personal growth, a willingness to reflect, and a genuine curiosity about how spirituality can support and uplift others.
The programme is designed to meet you where you are, offering clear guidance and supportive teaching throughout. Whether you come with years of experience or are stepping into this work for the first time, you will find a learning environment that welcomes your individuality and supports your development at a pace that feels right for you.
Do I need to live in the UK to enrol?
You can absolutely join the online pathway from anywhere in the world. Just be sure to check the timetable against your local time zone. The in-person pathway is held through a series of retreats across the year, so if you’re able and happy to travel for those dates, it may also be an option for you.
Can I switch between the online and in person pathways later on?
We encourage students to commit to their chosen pathway for the full year, as each group builds strong relationships and a shared learning rhythm. In some circumstances, a change may be possible. Moving between the online and in person pathways is a little more complex due to cost and structure differences. For this reason, a switch usually involves joining the next starting cohort rather than transferring part way through a year. If you are considering a change, we encourage you to speak with the tutor team so they can support you in exploring the best option.
In the Training
What is the difference between the online and in person pathways?
Both pathways offer the same depth of training and lead to the same qualification.
- Online: Weekly live webinars and online learning.
- In person: Full in person training weekends and gatherings throughout the year. Each pathway offers the same curriculum themes and the same level of tutor support. The choice depends on your learning style, accessibility needs, and availability.
What if I am unable to attend a session?
Please let your tutor team know as soon as possible. Learning in community is central to the training, and presence at sessions makes a real difference. If you miss something, your peers can help you with notes.
Will online sessions be recorded?
Some teaching sessions may be recorded when appropriate, for example when a guest speaker is present. Most live sessions are not recorded because the work is personal, reflective, and rooted in shared trust.
What technology do I need for the online pathway?
You will need a computer with a stable internet connection, a webcam, Zoom, and basic familiarity with email and word processing. We will guide you through accessing the student platform, and support is always available if you need it.
What does a typical month in training look like?
Each month offers a steady rhythm that supports both depth and balance. You will take part in live online sessions with your tutors and group, explore recorded materials in your own time, and take moments for reflection, journalling, and practice. Some months include additional small-group meetings or experiential exercises that help you connect the learning with your everyday life.
The structure is designed to feel spacious rather than overwhelming. You can expect a mix of guided teaching, personal inquiry, group dialogue, and gentle embodied practice. Throughout the month you will be encouraged to engage with the material in ways that feel natural to you, whether through reading, listening, creating, or simply sitting quietly with what is emerging. This steady flow helps the learning settle gradually, giving you space to integrate insight and notice how your understanding deepens over time.
Are in person dates and locations fixed?
We publish dates and venues in advance and do our best to keep these consistent. If a change is unavoidable, we will let you know as early as possible.
Is the training suitable for people who work full time?
Yes. Many students work alongside their training. Both pathways require regular attendance and time for reflection, but the timetable is designed with working adults in mind!
In our published Student Q+A videos (on this page and in our YouTube), a student answered this question very personally.
Do I need to belong to a particular religion?
Not at all. People from many backgrounds join the training, those rooted in a faith, those with no religious tradition, those who feel spiritual in their own way, and those who are simply exploring.
However you describe your beliefs, faith, thoughts, or identity, you are warmly welcome!
Fees & Payment Options
How do the payment plans work?
You can choose from several payment plans, including extended options. Payments are made through our secure system by monthly card payment or UK bank direct debit. Your place is confirmed once your Training Agreement and first payment are complete.
Can I pay my fees in a lump sum?
Yes. You will choose a payment plan when you enrol, and you are welcome to make a lump sum payment later on if you prefer. You can contact our Finance Officer at any time to arrange this.
Can I change my payment plan after I start?
Yes. If you need to shift to a shorter or longer plan, our Finance Officer can help you adjust your agreement!
What if my financial situation changes during the training?
We understand that life can change. While we cannot offer scholarships at the point of enrolment, a small bursary fund exists to support students who experience genuine financial difficulty once training has begun. Bursaries are limited and are intended to help with fee payments only.
Are fees the same for the online and in person training?
Fees for both pathways will be published on our website. In person training may include additional costs such as travel, or supervision.
What do the fees include?
Your fees cover tuition, accommodation, live teaching sessions, access to learning materials, student support through your tutor team, and use of our online learning platform. Supervision, travel, and ceremonial items are not included.
Do I need to buy books or materials?
Most resources are provided online. You may choose to buy books or other materials that support your learning, but nothing is mandatory.
Assignments & Study Time
What kind of assignments will I complete?
Assignments are more reflective than academic. They offer opportunities to explore your growth, consider spiritual themes, and integrate what you are learning. There are no traditional exams.
How much time will I need for the training each week?
You will need time for classes, study groups, reflection, and assignments. Many students set aside some time each day or a few evenings each week. Your tutors will guide you throughout the year.
What if I am late with an assignment?
Please speak to your tutor team as soon as possible. We understand that life happens, and support is available. Regular communication helps your tutors understand your needs.
Are retreats required?
This depends on the pathway. The in person training includes retreats and gatherings as part of the experience. The online training is fully online, with additional in person, and online, modules offered throughout the year! These additional learning modules are a requirement, and you get to decide whether you want to attend an online or in-person offering.
Progress Review and Support
How is my progress reviewed?
Your tutors accompany you throughout both years. You will receive ongoing feedback, reflections, and encouragement. This is not a pass or fail process, but a supportive conversation about your readiness for the next steps.
What is supervision and why is it important?
Supervision is a one to one space with an accredited supervisor. It supports your wellbeing, reflective practice, and growth. All students are expected to be in supervision, and the cost is not included in your tuition.
What personal commitment is expected of me?
This training invites you to be engaged, curious, and open. You will be asked to participate in class, reflect on your experiences, and nurture your personal practice. Support is available throughout, and you are encouraged to make sure you have the right care around you if personal challenges arise.
What support is available for students with disabilities or health conditions?
We are fully committed to accessibility. If you have specific needs around mobility, chronic illness, neurodiversity, mental health, or learning differences, please get in touch so we can explore the support available!
Even if it’s not immediately obvious, we can work together to figure out a resolution to ensure you’re comfortable and have your needs met.
Ordination & Graduation
What does ordination mean?
Ordination honours the deep inner work you have undertaken. It is not automatic but is offered when tutors and students agree that you are ready. Many choose to use the title Reverend, although this is not required.
Are graduation and ordination the same?
No. You can graduate without choosing to be ordained. Ordination is a further step for those who feel ready and is held in a separate ceremony.
Do online and in person students attend ordination together?
Yes. All students are invited to the same ordination ceremonies, which are held every year.
Can I legally marry people as an interfaith minister?
This depends on your country. Scotland and Northern Ireland: ministers may apply to be nominated by OneSpirit. Ireland: nominations are made by the Association of One Spirit Interfaith Ministers of Ireland. Legal registration requires ROSIM membership and additional training.
What does an interfaith minister do?
Ministers offer spiritual support for people of all faiths and none. Many officiate ceremonies, offer spiritual accompaniment, work in community or chaplaincy settings, or create spaces for peace and understanding.
What is ROSIM?
ROSIM is the Register of OneSpirit Interfaith Ministers. It is our professional body for ordained ministers. Members receive support, ongoing guidance, and use of the OneSpirit interfaith minister title. ROSIM membership is required for those seeking legal wedding nomination.
OneSpirit Overview
Who does OneSpirit serve?
OneSpirit welcomes people from all faiths and none, from many cultures and from diverse backgrounds. What unites our students and ministers is not a single tradition but a shared calling to serve with compassion, inclusivity and integrity.
How long has OneSpirit been training ministers?
We have been offering our Spiritual Development and Ministry Training for nearly 30 years. Since then, more than 1,000 ministers have graduated, bringing interfaith ministry into communities, chaplaincies, social justice work, eco-justice activism, creative ceremony and much more.
What is the vision of OneSpirit?
Our vision is of a world where difference is not only accepted but celebrated, where dialogue replaces division, and where people are supported to connect with what is sacred to them. Through training and community, we equip ministers and seekers to nurture compassion, peace and transformation in themselves and in the world.
Is OneSpirit a religion? Do I have to be religious to train with OneSpirit?
No. OneSpirit is not a religion, nor do we promote one path over another. We are an educational charity and a community of spiritual explorers, grounded in interfaith understanding. Our training honours many traditions while inviting you to discover your own authentic expression of service and ministry.
What can graduates go on to do?
Our graduates serve in many ways, and no two ministries look the same. Some take on visible roles, officiating weddings and funerals, serving as chaplains in hospitals and hospices, or leading retreats and community projects.
Others weave the learning into quieter expressions of daily life, bringing presence, compassion and depth into parenting, friendships, workplaces and everyday routines.
Here are just some of the directions our graduates follow:
- Ceremony and celebration: leading weddings, funerals, baby blessings and other rites of passage, creating bespoke ceremonies that honour culture, identity and spirituality.
- Spiritual accompaniment: serving as chaplains, companions or mentors, offering one-to-one support rooted in deep listening.
- Community and peacebuilding: mediating dialogue across difference, supporting diversity and inclusion in organisations, and creating initiatives for ecological justice and Earth care.
- Healing and support: working as counsellors, coaches or therapeutic practitioners, training further as funeral guides or end-of-life doulas, or offering holistic approaches to wellbeing.
- Creativity and expression: writing, art, music, ritual theatre or storytelling that reflects the sacred in life.
- Education and literacy: teaching in schools, universities and adult learning contexts, and designing workshops or retreats on spirituality and interfaith understanding.
Ministry beyond the classroom is not about a single path. Each graduate shapes their service through their own gifts, passions and callings. However it unfolds, it becomes a living practice of connection, courage and love.
Spiritual Development & Ministry Training Overview
How does the training support my personal and spiritual development?
Our training is designed to meet you exactly where you are and to strengthen the qualities that help you serve with depth, clarity and compassion. Over two years, students develop grounded presence, confidence in their authentic voice, and a growing capacity to hold others through life’s tender and complex moments. The programme offers a blend of spiritual inquiry, self reflection, ministerial skills, ceremony, and community learning, all held within a supportive environment.
You will explore many strands of development, including personal awareness, spiritual growth, pastoral skills, and the practical abilities needed for ministry and service. Along the way, you discover how to bring your gifts into the world in ways that feel true to who you are. Many students describe the training as life enhancing, both personally and professionally, and find that the learning enriches their relationships, work, and sense of purpose as much as it prepares them for ministry.
What guides the way students learn and grow during the two years?
Our training is shaped by a clear learning philosophy that honours the whole person. We recognise that meaningful development does not come from information alone. Growth happens through experience, reflection, curiosity, and the encouragement of a community that listens and learns together.
Students are invited to explore many ways of knowing, including emotional, somatic, spiritual, intuitive, and intellectual understanding. Learning unfolds in a cycle of practice and reflection, where each insight becomes the foundation for deeper exploration. Tutors support students to discover their own wisdom, to work with their learning edges with kindness, and to connect their inner development with the outward skills needed for ministry. This approach allows each student to grow at a sustainable pace while feeling held, guided, and inspired throughout the journey.
How do you teach communication, presence, and deep listening in the programme?
Communication sits at the heart of ministry, and at OneSpirit it is taught as a living spiritual practice rather than a set of techniques. Our approach is rooted in something we call conscious communication, a framework that brings together ancient listening traditions, modern neuroscience, trauma informed insight, and embodied awareness. Students learn how presence shapes the quality of every encounter, and how a settled nervous system can create the safety others need to share openly.
This learning is grounded in five principles that weave through the training. Students cultivate embodied presence to stay steady and connected. They develop multiple literacies, learning to listen not only to words but to emotion, intuition, body wisdom, and cultural nuance. They engage with developmental awareness, recognising that growth is a lifelong process. They explore systems consciousness, understanding how culture, history, and power influence every conversation. Finally, they practise transformative intent, treating each dialogue as an opportunity for understanding and possibility.
Through this, students discover a way of communicating that can soften tension, hold differences with compassion, and invite healing where it is needed. These skills become essential for ministry, spiritual accompaniment, ceremony, leadership, and everyday relationships, offering a foundation for deep service in a world that longs for understanding.
Is this training suitable if I am still exploring my own spirituality?
Yes. Many students begin the training with questions, uncertainties, or a sense of being in transition. You do not need to have a fixed belief system or a clearly defined spiritual path. What matters is an openness to exploration and a willingness to engage with your inner life.
The training offers a spacious environment where curiosity is welcomed and where different ways of understanding the sacred can sit comfortably together. You will be invited to reflect, to listen, to explore practices from many traditions, and to discover what feels true and meaningful for you. There is no expectation that you adopt a particular worldview. Instead, the programme supports you to grow in a way that feels authentic, grounded, and aligned with who you are becoming.
Many students find that through this gentle and reflective approach, their spirituality becomes clearer and more embodied over time, not through pressure, but through lived experience and compassionate inquiry.