Ministry Apprenticeship Program

The Ministry Apprenticeship Program (MAP) at St. Paul’s Bloor Street offers a fully-funded, immersive experience for young adults who wish to consider a possible vocation in ordained ministry in the Anglican Church of Canada.

The MAP experience combines service, study, and spiritual formation. Over the course of a year, Apprentices serve in a rotation through each of St. Paul’s ministry departments, gaining exposure to the diverse set of skills required for vibrant urban ministry—including St. Pauls’ ongoing work to serve God’s mission in Toronto by planting and reviving downtown churches. They also enjoy exposure to graduate-level theological education, one-on-one mentoring from ordained and lay leaders, and training in the holistic spiritual discipline of the SPBS “Rhythm of Life”.

You love God—are you being called to serve his people? Many young adults have never had the opportunity to consider what a life of ministry might look like. MAP exists to remedy that problem, by offering a “discernment gap year”, where young adults can consider a possible calling to ordained ministry in the Anglican Church.

Faith background: Applicants should be able to affirm the historic Christian faith as articulated in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds. Applicants do not need to be Anglican to apply, but need to be open to serving in the Anglican Church.

Educational requirements: Our goal is to prepare Apprentices to begin seminary education if they have not already done so, as the educational prerequisite for ordained ministry. In general, MAP applicants should have completed at least a post-secondary degree prior to starting the program, though allowances may be made for exceptional circumstances.

Time commitment: MAP is intended to be a full-time, immersive experience in the life of ministry. We also offer a half-time track (20 hours/week) for those who are not able to do the full-time program. Applicants should indicate their availability on their application and discuss options with the MAP Director.

Residency requirements: All Apprentices must spend the full MAP year (Sep-Aug) living within commuting distance of SPBS.

Employment status: Apprentices must be eligible to work in Canada. We can accept applications from Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or holders of an open work permit, as well as citizens of the US and UK who wish to consider a future in ministry in Canada and who can obtain work permits (see below for the additional fees that apply for international applicants).

A commitment to economic justice is a core part of the MAP mandate to raise up a diverse group of leaders for the church. Our intention is that the program be possible for individuals from every economic background. Core program expenses are covered by generous donations from the St. Paul’s community.

The standard compensation package for full-time Apprentices includes room and board at nearby Wycliffe College, an Anglican seminary, plus a stipend of $1000/month for additional living expenses. Apprentices who elect not to live at Wycliffe receive the monthly stipend plus the monetary value of room and board. Half-time Apprentices receive 50% of the full-time compensation package.

Accepted applicants from the US or UK are responsible for obtaining their own work permits, along with any associated legal fees (approximately $2500-$3500 CAD).

Fees: A $500 program fee is due upon enrolment into MAP to hold the Apprentice’s space. This deposit will be fully refunded to the Apprentice in the first month of their program. Apprentices are responsible for their own travel costs to/from Toronto. Accepted applicants from the US or UK will be responsible for the legal fees associated with their respective work permits (approximately $2500-$3500 CAD). These fees will be due upon acceptance into the program.

St. Paul’s Bloor Street, located in the heart of Toronto, is the largest Anglican church in Canada. It combines the deep traditions of a 180-year history with a vibrant, living, and extraordinarily diverse community of faith that is growing in new ways, especially among the young professionals who live near the church and in our ongoing work to plant new churches in downtown Toronto. St. Paul’s strives to offer the best of both contemporary and classical expressions of Anglican worship in its Sunday services, along with Biblical preaching, children’s, and youth ministries. We encourage weekday discipleship through widespread small-group membership and courses like Alpha and Turning to Christ. The “Rhythm of Life”—a set of five spiritual practices that have nourished Christians for centuries—offers a holistic framework for practical discipleship that informs everything that St. Paul’s does.

The 2026 MAP term is no longer receiving applications. We will post an announcement and application information when the next application cycle opens.

We welcome questions and inquiries about the MAP program at any time throughout the year.  MAP offers a variety of pathways for discerning a vocation to ordained ministry. If you are interested in exploring this possibility within the communities of St. Paul’s or St. George’s, please reach out to Tyler, who would be very happy to connect with you and answer any questions you may have. Tyler Wigg-Stevenson, MAP Director.