The Order of Jacob's Well is a body of Christians who are, before all else, wholeheartedly committed to the way and message of Jesus Christ, the source and model of the church - and the source and perfecter of our faith. We are, before everything, disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the earthing of that commitment we seek to be an Order of Healing and Wholeness which draws it's grace, wisdom and power through the continual maturing of it's Ministers who acknowledge that the Holy Spirit enables God to make his home in us through our obedience to him.

Our members come from various streams (denominations) within Christianity, and we seek advice from leaders of the main Christian denominations.

Those who follow the Order's Rule are best viewed as an Order. They minister to this hurting world as they see to be right in God's eyes but also under the formal authority and Oversight of the Christian Church. Each person who follows our way does so as an individual with the Mentor as a Companion. The Order does not provide an everyday interaction with like minded Christians who are there for one another - that one finds in groups who live under one roof or in one locality.

Neither does the Order seek to provide ministry 'work' for it's members - each minister moves in the flow of God around them.

The communal aspects are the Annual Conference days Together, the life of the individual Wells, the Prayer cycle and the quarterly and e-mail magazines.

What makes this Order distinct from other groupings inspired by healing and Wholeness spirituality?

There is some overlap, but each Order has a distinctive origin, calling and style. It is important to carefully study and reflect upon their respective Rules of Life, until the Christian feels clear and peaceful about the one which most deeply reflects that which he or she is being called to.

In particular we seek to reflect the qualities of grace and truth as we live out our Rule and its Attitudes of the Heart.

Some distinctive features about the Order of Jacob's Well are:-

1. Charismatic, Evangelical and Catholic streams feel at home in it as do those of a contemplative nature.

2. Membership does not require that much spiritual activity time is invested in goings-on organized by the Order which are less than in most other Communities. Some members will be called to be involved in organized activities, but no member need feel guilty if they do not attend all regional Well Centre meetings, for example.

3. Whereas one Order might require every member to be committed to a particular Christian cause or methodology of ministry our Order, while encouraging each member to be committed to offering healing and Wholeness prayer ministry, leaves it to them to decide what they should do about this as long as what they do is Christ-centred.

4. The Order is not a substitute for, nor does it denigrate the church. Rather, it offers members a 'new way of being church'.

As an Order we have three aims:

1. To seek out
Those who have an hospitable heart which is open to the Scriptures and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, expressing a calling to the Christian Healing Ministry and to test that calling.

2. To create 
A network of recognized Ministers and prayer Centres across the UK to carry the healing Light of Christ into the local community.

3. To support 
It's ministers with education, authority, fellowship and prayer.

INTRODUCING THE ORDER

Alongsiders
Alongsiders are people who wish to support the Order but do not necessarily want to follow it's Rule with its Attitudes of the Heart. They are people who have a genuine interest in Healing and Wholeness and who wish to encourage the Order by their prayers and support.

A person can become an Alongsider by writing to the office secretary who will send details of the annual subscription and an Application Form. Becoming an Alongsider enables you to receive all notifications on the mailing list and to take part in events organized by the Order.

Candidates
Candidates are those who are prayerfully exploring whether or not the Order and its Rule and Attitudes of the Heart is an appropriate place to be. During this time of testing their calling among us they undergo a demanding 9 - 12 month Correspondence Course with the help of an Overseer appointed by the Order and take part in whatever Order activities they can.

A person can become a Candidate by writing for the Introductory Pack, and returning to the Office Secretary the application form. Application forms are only accepted if signed by the Vicar, Minister or Pastor of the Candidates local church.

A successful initial interview with a member of the Leadership Board and the payment of the Course Fee sees the appointment of an Overseer and the time for testing of calling commences. This Selection Process takes the form of a Correspondence Course under the appointed overseer.

Intercessors
Our intercessors join the Order under our director of Intercession and are those whose prayers and prophetic gifting are sought on a regular basis for our Ministers, other members of the Order and the activities of individual prayer Centres. Application to join our Intercessory Branch can be made to Director of Intercession at The Well Centre in Pontnewydd, South Wales.

Licensed Ministers
Licensed Ministers are those candidates who have completed the time of testing of their calling to work in the Church's Ministry of Healing and Wholeness either in their churches or in the surrounding community.

They have appointed a Mentor with the approval of their Overseer and have taken their vows to the Order, committing themselves to be under the Order's authority in matters of Healing and Wholeness.

Where geographically possible they make up the basic membership of the Order's prayer Centres (Well Centres) where they receive teaching programmes from the Order and serve the wounded who come there.

Becoming a Licensed Minister
After having spent a minimum of nine months exploring whether or not God is calling Them to live the way of the Order, a person may, When their Mentor has been appointed and their Overseer agrees, make their vows to the Leadership board.

These are solemn promises in which a person commits his or herself to live by the Rule and Attitudes of the Heart and to pray for the Order daily. The Vows of the Order

Leadership Board
The Leadership Board governs and oversees the work and ministry of the Order and  is itself under the oversight of the most senior representatives of the Christian church.

The Leadership Board, Alongsiders, Candidates, Intercessors and Licensed Ministers together make up the family of the Order.

Membership
Membership of the Order of Jacob's Well is open to anyone who has an interest in the Church's Ministry of Healing and Wholeness and who, having read, consulted and prayed, decides to make a commitment to the Order's Rule and Attitudes of the Heart.

Through their membership they become part of a national network of people following the Order's Rule and Attitudes of the Heart, and are given guidance through the Office of the Order, Overseers, Mentors or regional chaplains. They are supported by a Mentor and where possible have access to regional group meetings at their local Well Centre.

It is not so much that Well Centres exist but that the Order's Licensed Ministers are themselves wells of living water for those who hunger and thirst after God's healing through Jesus Christ.