It's challenging , because it encourages you to be open to God and open to change. But you don't have to have any formal qualifications. You just need to be confirmed and committed. The course is not a series of lectures. There's a mixture of worship, teaching, discussion, prayer, workshops, buzz groups and role-play.
Some personal study is required.
You only need to spend half an hour a week on it, but you can do more if you wish. There are no exams or marked assignments. The course is run by the Diocese of Durham's Board of Ministries and Training. The Revd Colin Patterson , the Diocese's Lay Development Officer, is the course co-ordinator. Each year, the course is offered in half a dozen different places, spread around the County of Durham.