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 live in the UK to train?

  • 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 forms strongly. In rare cases where changing pathway is necessary, we encourage you to speak with the tutor team.

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, accommodation, or retreats.

What do the fees include?

  • Your fees cover tuition, live teaching sessions, access to learning materials, student support through your tutor team, and use of our online learning platform. Supervision, travel, accommodation, 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.

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 study group 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.

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!

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! 

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 optional in person, and online, modules offered throughout the year! These are 100% optional and only meant to support your training journey.  

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. Not at all. Some of our students identify with a faith tradition, while others describe themselves as spiritual but not religious, or not religious at all. What matters is a genuine interest in spiritual development, personal growth and serving others with compassion and integrity. Our training is designed to meet you where you are, and to support you in discovering the form of ministry that feels most authentic to you.

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.