In-service training to develop your gifts

What is N.able?
Evangelists' Training Programme
Church Leaders' Training Scheme
Missions' Training Programme
Who's Involved?
How to apply

Church Leaders' Training Scheme
Make a difference!

The 2 Timothy 2:2 principle of 'pass on what you heard from me….to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others' (The Message) is at the heart of the N.able Church Leaders' Training Scheme. Along with the responsibility to serve God in their locality, churches and church leaders are called to teach others to do the same.

This Programme is designed to equip for full time Christian service those who already have gifts suitable for Christian ministry, and wish to develop their gifts for future service, most probably in a local church.

The applicant may or may not have a specific area of Christian work in mind. This may be teaching, pastoring, or local church outreach, for example. The main criterion is a call from God to serve him.

It is appreciated that those applying to join the N.able Church Leaders' Training Scheme may have a variety of local church experience and perhaps theological training. The N.Able Programme is flexible and designed to cope with this diversity.

Partnership provides overall management and supervision of the Church Leaders Training Scheme for N.able.

Church Leaders' Training Scheme In Action
Stage 1. A year at College (optional)

• Knowledge of the Bible and its application to life and ministry.
• Personal Spiritual Development & Individual Guidance.
• Evangelism & church planting in 21st Century Europe.
• Mission Awareness with some Cross-cultural Exposure.
• Learning to live in Christian Community.
• Gain basic skills in a wide variety of ministry situations.
  

Stage 2. Church placements (for all candidates)

Church Placements are in lively, forward-looking independent churches, and give training and experience, under the supervision of skilled local church leaders. Placements are normally for 1 year from September to August, but can be extended. They may be suitable for:

Church placements in action

The placement will vary with the needs of the particular church and the interests and gifts of the individual person. He/she will always be under the direction and responsibility of the church, but N.Able (Counties, Partnership or Tilsley College as appropriate) will be available for consultation and advice. The placements will normally be for a period of 1 year; though some would be for two years, and there is room for negotiation and variation.

A typical role would be as a pastoral assistant to a church leader - though other roles are possible: such as giving administrative support, developing evangelistic outreach or youth work. The church leader will provide supervision and encourage the development of both gifts and ministry. In addition, of course, those placed will be expected to participate fully in the life of the local church.

Job description
In consultation with N.Able, the receiving church will be expected to develop a clear job description for the placement, covering:

Employment status and salary
N.Able church placements will normally be salaried posts, and churches will be responsible for salary and employer's National Insurance contributions. Pay will not, however, normally be at the rate of full salary for the job, in view of the training and development element of the placement. The level will vary depending on the circumstances and the age, background and experience of the person appointed. Some churches and candidates may wish to agree a support package of accommodation, pocket money etc instead of a salary. Before the placement starts, N.Able will wish to be satisfied that the level of pay or support is adequate.

Accommodation
The placement church would normally provide or arrange suitable board and lodging, and pay the cost or provide an adequate salary to cover it.

Training and development
In addition to work in the church, placements will include appropriate education and development, for example, directed reading, distance learning, short courses etc. This will be tailored in each case in discussion between the trainee and the development supervisor in the local church, advised by N.Able as necessary. In addition, Tilsley College offers opportunities for short modules and special focus units at the college in Motherwell, and churches may well encourage appointees to take these up.

Supervision and care
For each placement, a named individual in the church, appropriately qualified, will act as development supervisor. He/she will supervise day-to-day work, meeting regularly, and will be closely involved in shaping the training and development programme. The supervisor will be asked to complete regular written, open reports.

The church will also need to make clear arrangements for pastoral care, by someone different from the supervisor.

N.Able will actively monitor the progress of each placement on a regular basis.

Next Steps