Idaho School for Faith and Ministry

Ask the Lord in prayer
Spend time in silence
Read the Scriptures
Do the research

Talk to wise people
Your Spouse / Partner
Your Clergy / Senior Warden
Your Friends

Contact The Rev. Rob Geislman

Walk towards the call
Enroll in studies
Participate in group activities
Complete courses on time

The High Desert School of Ministry is a local three-year program of formation for ordained ministry--diaconate or priesthood.

The Idaho School for Faith and Ministry is a local three-year program of formation for ordained ministry--diaconate or priesthood.

Idaho School for Faith and Ministry (ISFM) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church in Idaho.  We partner with Iona Collaborative, which is a local formation program developed out of the Seminary of the Southwest. Iona originated as a formation program out of the Diocese of Texas.

The curriculum for ISFM includes extensive academic modules on Holy Scriptures, Church History, Theology, Ethics, Anglican Studies, Liturgics, and Practice of Ministry. Additionally, modules will be taught in missiology, homiletics, multiculturalism, congregational life, spiritual practices and pastoral care.

Video instruction is provided by professors from Seminary of the Southwest (Austin, TX), with mentors/teachers facilitating classroom discussion and reflection. Students will have reading, writing, and viewing assignments to complete each month.

The class for ISFM begins in the fall of each year.

ISFM weekends are held nine times per year, usually once per month, at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Twin Falls.

In order to enroll in this program, the student must be in the ordination process in either the Diocese of  Idaho. The student must have the approval of both the Commission on Ministry in his/her diocese, and the Diocesan Bishop.

The cost of the program is $2,100/ year.

The fee covers:

• Tuition
• Meals, Snacks, and Coffee while in session

Students should estimate the following additional expenses each year:

• $  175       Books and materials
• Travel expenses (depending on distance)

Bearing the cost of this education is a shared endeavor between the student and his/her congregation. It is expected that congregations will contribute significantly toward this education, and that students will solicit additional funding from their sources. Scholarships are available through the diocese. Please reach out to office@episcopalidaho.org for more information.

If you are ready to enroll in this study and program with the Episcopal Church in Idaho here is what you need to do next.

1. Contact your priest / senior warden.
2. Share your desire enter into discernment for Ordained Ministry.
3. Your priest / senior warden will discern together your possible call to ministry. 
4. Once that process is completed, if both of you have agreed to take the next step, he/she will contact the Bishop's office to continue to the process. 
5. Contact the diocesan coordinator to schedule a time to visit the bishop in person / over zoom.

God bless you in this discernment process.

The Very Rev. David Wettstein
Dean of the Idaho School for Faith and Ministry
1858 W. Judith Lane, Boise, ID 83705

Dean of ISFM

Rev. Wettstein is the Dean of the ISFM. He guides the direction of this ministry into the future. 

Co-Facilitator for ISFM

Venerable Janet King has been guiding people to Ordained Ministry in the Diocese of Idaho for years.