Pastoral Ministry
Pastoral leadership is probably what most people have in mind when they think of an ordained Baptist minister. Such ministry takes place primarily as part of an existing local church and focuses on nurturing the life of that church and helping it to serve its community and to reach out with the gospel. It is not to be understood as pastoral ministry rather than missional ministry. All ministry needs to be both pastoral (caring) and missional (reaching out.)
To follow this path your call has to be recognised first by your local church and confirmed by your regional association. You can then apply to study with NBC. We will invite you to take part in our very careful, very prayerful and very friendly interview process. Interviews normally take place twice a year, usually in March and May before the academic year in which training begins.
At interview we will work out with you just what training will look like for you. Some will learn full-time and others part-time. Everyone though will participate in a programme with a number of integrated components:
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Baptist Leadership Programme – the practical ‘nuts-and-bolts’ of Baptist ministry
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Individual tutorials – regular and frequent support and supervision in one-to-one tutorials with members of staff
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Issue Based Professional Training – including Gender awareness, Racism awareness and Safeguarding
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Academic Study – pursuing theological studies leading to a Diploma or a Degree in theology from the University of Manchester.
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Placement – ‘hands-on’ experience of leading in a local church either as sole minister or alongside an experienced colleague
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Continuing Learning – learning is life-long, continuing after ordination e.g. as a Newly Accredited Minister (NAM), in continuing ministerial development (CMD), or pursuing further studies.
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Another important part of ministerial formation is one that doesn’t easily fit in a single box - your ongoing spiritual growth as a follower of Jesus. This takes place in and is affected by every aspect of your time at college but it comes to the surface in particular on placement, in weekly worship, in tutorials and in the annual college staff and student retreat.
For details from the BUGB about Accredited Pastoral Ministry see 'Exploring a Call to Pastoral Ministry'