In-service training to develop your gifts

 
Missions' Training Programme
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 Missions' Training Programme. This programme is in line with the stated ethos of Tilsley College, "Training for Service," and part of the overall vision of GLO, which is taking the Gospel to those who need to hear and working as teams in mission.

We recognise that the primary responsibility in discerning a call to missions is with the individual and their local church, in fellowship with workers and churches that may already be in the field of service. We also recognise the need for thorough preparation and appropriate training that should take place before a candidate arrives at the place of service. Part of this preparation is the study of the Scriptures and another part is pre-field training and experience gained in "on the job" situations.

This Programme is designed to equip for mission work those who already have a calling to missions as recognised by a local church, and wish to develop this gift for future service, whether with GLO or any other service group. The applicant may or may not have a specific geographical area in mind for future ministry. The main criterion is a call from God to missions. This may eventually be working abroad, supporting missions work abroad from a UK base or missions work within UK.

It is appreciated that those applying to join the N.able Mission's Training Programme may have a variety of evangelistic and local church experience and perhaps theological training. The Programme will, therefore, be flexible to cope with this diversity. Training will be tailored in each case in discussion between the trainee, Tilsley College, any prospective place of service (including liaison with workers and church leaders on the field and a service agency where appropriate) and the training location(s).

Tilsley College provides the overall management and supervision of the Missions' Training Programme for N.able.

The Missions' Training Programme has been drawn together out of a recognition of the need for thorough preparation and appropriate training before someone takes up responsibilities in the Lord's work and that much of this should be done before the person arrives in the field of service. Part of this preparation is the study of the Scriptures and for that reason Stage 1 is strongly recommended, being the one-year residential "Training for Service" course or equivalent. In addition to this, some pre-field training and experience is valuable and can only be gained in "on the job" situations. So in Stage 2 the student will be in ministry situations similar to or having relevance to areas of skill and experience that the student needs to develop in. In some cases the placement may be in the country of future service and will effectively be a supervision of the first year of settling into missions in that location.

Missions' Training Programme In Action

Stage 1 - A year at Tilsley College

For the first year a candidate will live and study full time along with the students at Tilsley College (GLO Centre in Motherwell). Taking a year out to go to Tilsley College does involve a significant commitment of time and finance. We believe, however, that students will benefit from the experience because of a number of features of college life. Some of the key advantages of doing the Tilsley course are that it will lay a valuable foundation in the following areas:

  • 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.

Doing the first year at Tilsley College would be especially recommended for anyone who hasn't had the chance to do in-depth systematic Bible study before. Gaining a foundation in the Bible is vital for any ministry situation.

Stage 2 - Missions' Training Programme

These are intended for those who along with their local church are discerning a clear sense of the Lord's calling on their lives to be involved in missions. Either the candidate already knows, along with the leadership of the commending church, the specific field in which they will work and need training for it, or are in the process of discerning the specifics of what the Lord is leading them to do. The location of the placement will depend on the candidate's level of skills and gifting, the nature of field in which they may end up working and other circumstances specific to each case. It may be in a local church or team ministry situation in UK or be in a field-specific location abroad.

Placements are normally for one year from September to August, but can be extended. They may be suitable for a wide range of people called to missions, including:
Younger people sensing God's calling into missions.
Early-retired people being called into a wider ministry.
People called out of their present careers into full time service.
Bible college students needing pre-field experience in missions.
Church leaders wanting experience of missions so as to better develop world mission vision in their local churches.
...and many others

Outline of the Stage 2 Programme

  • The Programme can start at any time and will normally last for 12 months, although if following on from Stage 1, it would normally start in September.
  • The participant will be known as a 'Missions' Programme Trainee' (ref: MPT below). The Programme will be tailored to suit the MPT's age, experience and vision for future ministry. After discussion with the MPT, commending church, future missionary colleagues on the field (if known), mission service agency (if appropriate) a detailed programme of training for the 12 months will be arranged under the supervision of the College designated Tutor.
  • During the Programme, the MPT will have a Mentor at the location of training. Tilsley College will designate a College Tutor to supervise the overall programme for the MPT and the College will also provide pastoral support. The commending church will designate an elder for liaison purposes. The future field location (where known) will designate a key contact person. Any missions service agency involved would also designate a key contact person. The overall management of the programme will be the College Tutor for the sake of co-ordination, although the local Mentor will carry most of the day to day management of the MPT's training.
  • During the Programme, there will be continual assessment of the MPT's progress. This will take the form of:
    a) Keeping a weekly diary and making a monthly written report to the College by the MPT.
    b) Monthly feedback from the local Mentor of the MPT to the College.
    c) Completion of written assignments (up to three in total) which will be in the form of guided research projects for the College. The subjects for these assignments will be mutually agreed upon by the College Tutor, MPT and the Field contact person (where the field is known).
    d) Regular meetings between the MPT, College Tutor and local Mentor (every three months if practically possible and where travel costs reasonably permit).
  • At the end of 12 months, a closing report will be jointly prepared by the local Mentor and the College Tutor with the full participation of the MPT. The purpose of the report is to help summarise to the student where he/she has reached in terms of preparation for involvement in missions and some recommendations/guidance as to future development and work. This report would be made available to any appropriate partners in the MPT's future field of service.
  • The Programme is primarily a practical course to gain experience in ministry skills. The majority of the time will be given to working alongside the Mentor, gaining experience by participating more deeply in local church life, pursuing a personal study programme (for college assignments) and discovering the 'way of life' of a full time Christian worker.
  • As part of the learning/preparation experience, the MPT will be expected to take part in GLO short term missions teams at various times through the year and assist with some of the College field work teams.
  • There may be times during this period when the MPT is neither working alongside a designated Mentor nor involved in a study programme. During these times the MPT will be expected to continue with the work of ministry working alongside his/her home church, commending church or involvement in mission learning opportunities elsewhere. Activities during these times should be agreed upon under the College Tutor's supervision.

The Cost

The ethos of Tilsley College/GLO is to look to God to supply all its needs. Its workers do the same. The N.Able Missions' Training Programme is a partnership of faith between the MPT, the commending church(es), training situation, Tilsley College and the Lord. Part of the Programme and an element in discerning God's will for the MPT's future is experiencing God's provision for material needs as well as for spiritual development. Therefore:
1. MPT is responsible for raising his/her own support, whether by part time work and/or help from individuals and churches.
2. MPT's on Stage 1 at Tilsley College - As with all students at the College, the MPT is responsible to pay the college fees.
3. MPT's on Stage 2. The MPT in conjunction with commending church(es) are responsible for covering all the costs, including accommodation, upkeep, travel costs and ministry. In some cases the training location may involve a church or para-church group that are able to assist with some support.
4. For MPT's on Stage 2 there is also a Training Fee payable to Tilsley college which covers the administration and supervision of the scheme by the college.

Next Steps

1. Seek God's will for your future.
2. Talk the matter over with those whose counsel you trust.
3. Share your plans with your church leaders whose support you will need.
4. Complete the preliminary application form.

An exploratory informal interview will be arranged by N.able.For further information on the programme contact:
The Principle, Tilsley College, 78 Muir Street, MOTHERWELL, ML1 1BN.
email: college@glo-europe.org Tel.: 01698 266 776 website: www.glo-europe.org