Youth Specialist Ministry 


Some people are called to a ministry that focuses on working with young people and often their families.  Adolescence is a time when young people are often experiencing intense emotional feelings, dramatic physical changes and social and peer pressures.  The youth specialist will be someone with a strong relationship with Jesus, motivated by a sense of call, guided by mature and discerning wisdom, encouraged and supported by the local church (Luke 2:52, Hebrews 4:11-16), as he/she enables young people to develop in mind, body and spirit, so that they can grow in relationship with God.
 
The term ‘youth specialist’ refers to those who wish to be accredited with a particular specialism working in or on behalf of Baptist churches or Associations.  It is envisaged that such ministry will normally be undertaken within the context of a team.
The training programme has a number of integrated components:

  • Baptist Leadership Programme – the practical ‘nuts-and-bolts’ of Baptist ministry 
  • Individual tutorials – regular and frequent support and supervision in one-to-one tutorials with members of staff
  • Issue Based Professional Training – including Gender awareness, Racism awareness and Safeguarding
  • Academic Study – pursuing theological studies to at least a Diploma (Level 5) qualification along with a professional youth work qualification either at NBC at one of our partner colleges. (Recently we have worked with the Nazarene Theological College in Manchester where they offer a combined theology and youth work qualification.)
  • Placement – ‘hands-on’ experience of youth ministry
  • 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.
  • 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 Youth Specialist Ministry visit the Baptists Together website.