Application Process

Applications for our Seed Community are open NOW

Why we are starting with a 'Seed Community'

Every tree, however large it grows, starts life very small.

From just a tiny speck of a seed, a great, beautiful, fruitful, flourishing tree can grow. From a single seed, a whole eco-system of life can emerge.

Growth is a natural process, it takes time and it needs the right conditions if it is to flourish, especially in the early stages when the seed is germinating, rooting and shooting.

So with the Community of the Tree of Life. We are starting small with a seed community so that we can pay attention to the early stages of growth and nurture the gift that God is giving us.

What is the 'Seed Community'?

We are looking for a ‘handful of seeds’, six people (aged 20-35) who feel God is calling them to join us for our first seven months living in the Community House from January 2019. You will help us explore and develop the Way of Life that the Community will choose to live.

What will the Seed Community be doing?

You will be in the unique position of sharing in the shaping of our day-to-day community life, everything from what we eat, to how we worship and how we spend time chilling together.

You will help us as we establish relationships with partner churches and charities and clarify our calling to service, mission and intercession.

You will share in our exploration of discipleship through prayer, study and retreats as we seek to develop our unique formation year.

When does it start?

The Seed Community will take up residence at the beginning of January 2019 and continue until the end of July 2019.

We hope that some of the Seed Community members will be open to staying on to join the first full cohort of novices in September. This will need to be discerned with each individual.

How do I apply?

If you would like to apply to join us, the first step is to download the application form below.

Return your form to us via email info@leicestertreeoflife.org and we will acknowledge its receipt.

We will prayerfully consider all applications, take up references and invite those who meet our criteria to join us for a Discernment Day.

If you have questions or queries, please contact us, we’d be happy to chat to you informally.

What are the discernment criteria?

UK resident
Aged 20-35 on 1^st January 2019
Committed follower of Jesus
In good standing in your local church
Single and willing to remain single during your time in the Community
Available from 11^th January- end of July 2019

What does it cost?

The full costs of the 7 months for all food, accommodation, bills, transport, retreat, personal allowance and study programme are not insignificant, but we will discuss individual circumstances with each applicant. We recommend that you seek the support of your Church and think about ways to raise some finance yourself. We may be able to offer assistance through our bursary scheme. If you believe this is God’s call on your life, please don’t let the costs put you off applying. Pray, plan, work hard, push the door…and see what God does with your faith.

Application Form

Download the application form:

PDF Version Word Version

Discernment Process for joining the first cohort Sept 2019-July 2020

Stage 1 Enquirer

Applications open in October 2018.

We invite you to complete an online application form which gives an introduction to who you are, your situation and why you’d like to join the Community.

Come and visit us on our Enquirers Open Day 27th October 2018.

Stage 2 Enquirer

If you are invited to the next stage of the process we will ask you complete a second form online which consists of some short reflections on key topics related to your spiritual journey so far and your hopes for the year in Community. Your reflections will be carefully read and prayerfully considered. We will also take up references at this stage.

Stage 3 Enquirer

Those who we feel will benefit and contribute most to the Community will be invited for a Discernment Day. We envisage running these days in the late Autumn of 2018 and Spring of 2019.

Stage 4 Aspirants

No, not something you take for a headache! This is the name we give to aspiring community members from May – September. In the months before joining the Community we will be in touch to help you prepare and we will be praying for you.

Aspirants enter the Community House in September and the year begins with a Welcome Service led by Bishop Martyn our Abbot.

You will spend the first month being introduced to the Community Way of Life and learning about our Promises. This month gives you the opportunity to test your call to our Way of Life.

Stage 5 Novices

A ‘novice’ is a beginner and a learner. The name is a reminder to us that a year is a very short time in the span of a whole life following Jesus. We expect to see his transformation of our lives, but it won’t all be done and dusted in a year. In traditional monastic communities the Novitiate can last several years.

In early October we hold a Promise Service where new members of the Community make their promises before Bishop Martyn. The leaders and Community Companions also make or renew their promises at this very special service. You will receive a cross to wear around your neck as a token of your Community membership.

The promises we take as a Community are simple, yet profound. They are not life vows, but taken for a season, usually a year at a time.

Stage 6 Companions

We have some Companions of the Community who live our Way of Life alongside us and support us. We are praying about the future and wondering whether God will call some of our Novices into an on-going relationship with the Community as Companions when the Novice year ends.