Equipped to Minister - lay training

Course Directors: Dr Nigel G. Wright and Dr Antony D. Rich.

Equipped to Minister is a training course for members of local churches which aims to equip them to preach, to pastor and to serve in local churches. The course follows a curriculum jointly agreed by all the Baptist Colleges and the Baptist Union. It is therefore acceptable to the Union, when accompanied by satisfactory Association ministerial recognition outcomes, as a pathway of training for those seeking Union recognition as preachers or lay pastors. Equipped to Minister is offered in the first instance to the churches of the Eastern Baptist Association, the London Baptist Association and the South East Baptist Association but welcomes participants from other locations and denominations. It takes place at Spurgeon's College on selected Saturdays. Tutors are staff or associate staff of the College.

Equipped to Minister began in 2003 and has proved to be a very popular and highly valued training programme. It works on the following basis:

• There are twelve modules, eight of which are required by the BU for preachers and twelve for lay pastors (see below for further details)
• Each module contains twelve hours of contact time divided between two Saturdays (9.00am to 4.00pm) in consecutive months (bring your own lunch - drinks provided).
• Each module also requires two assignments for assessment purposes. These vary in kind from module to module. Participants not seeking the Certificate of Achievement need not submit these but they are required for the qualification itself.
• After satisfactory completion of eight modules and assignments candidates are awarded a Spurgeon's College Certificate of Achievement which is an internally validated Spurgeon’s award.
• Participants can choose to attend individual modules or to build up the 'credits' required for the Certificate.
• The course operates as a rolling programme and so can be joined at the beginning of each full module.
• Credit can be given for previous studies where these are documented or can be carried forward into other Baptist Union training initiatives.
• Participants may be seeking accreditation as preachers or lay pastors, may be training for other forms of service or may be intending simply to further their own education.
• No previous qualifications are required.

1. Reading and Using the Bible 1
   Understanding the story of the Bible and engaging thoughtfully with it, including with selected texts.
   Tutor: Dr Calvin Samuel
   Dates: 19 September 2009, 10 October 2009
2. Exploring Christian Belief 1
   The framework of Christian faith and belief and its relevance in the contemporary world.
   Tutor: Dr Nigel G Wright
   Dates: 14 November 2009, 12 December 2009
3. Leading Worship
   A holistic approach to worship. The development of specific skills, including insights into music and all-age worship. The module includes a practical assignment in worship leading.
   Tutor: Dr Chris Voke
   Dates: 9 January 2010, 13 February 2010
4. Reading and Using the Bible 2
   Deepening our understanding the Bible story and engaging thoughtfully with it, including further selected texts.
   Tutor: Dr Calvin Samuel
   Dates: 20 March 2010, 10 April 2010
5. Evangelism and Mission
   Congregational, friendship, servant and relational evangelism in contemporary society.
   Tutor: Dr Roger Standing
   Dates: 8 May 2010, 12 June 2010
6. Preaching
   Different preaching skills and the theology behind them. The module includes a practical preaching assignment.
   Tutor: Revd Richard Littledale MA BA MTh
   Dates: 10 July 2010, 11 September 2010
7. Spirituality
   Exploring what is meant by spirituality with a look at selected texts from the spiritual traditions. Growing as a Christian believer.         
   Tutor: Dr Tony Rich
   Dates: 9 October 2010, 13 November 2010
8. Exploring Christian Belief 2
   A further exploration of core Christian doctrines and their implications for Christian living.
   Tutor: Dr Nigel Wright
   Dates: 11 December 2010, 8 January 2011
9. Pastoral Care
   The context of pastoral care today. Developing self-awareness and basic counselling skills. A look at particular pastoral issues.
   Tutor: Dr Chris Voke
   Dates: 12 February 2011, 12 March 2011
10. Baptist History and Principles
    An exploration of where Baptists came from, of the Baptist way of being the church and of contemporary issues such as baptism, membership and the place of children.
    Tutor: Dr Nigel Wright
    Dates: 9 April 2011, 14 May 2011
11. Church Management and Leadership
    Leadership and management in the church. The conduct of church meetings, funerals, weddings. Conflict skills and resolution.
    Tutor: Dr Chris Voke
    Dates: 11 June 2011, 9 July 2011
12. History of Christianity: The Story of God’s People
    This independent study module is assessed through two extended essays.
    Tutor: Dr Tony Rich
    Dates: Independent study module

Baptist Union National Accreditation Requirements

Both lay preachers and lay pastors seeking Baptist Union recognition need to complete a set of core modules supplemented by a selection that includes at least one module from each of the three categories shown below. Lay preachers must complete a total of eight modules and lay pastors a total of twelve modules.

1. Reading and Using the Bible 1
2. Reading and Using the Bible 2
3. Leading Worship
4. Preaching
5. Baptist Belief and Practice

1. Reading and Using the Bible 1
2. Reading and Using the Bible 2
3. Leading Worship
4. Preaching
5. Baptist Belief and Practice
6. Pastoral Care
7. Church Management and Leadership
8. Exploring Christian Belief 1

Lay preachers need three modules and lay pastors need four modules, both must choose at least one from each category. In effect, this means that lay pastors training at Spurgeon’s need to do all twelve of the modules we offer.

1. Theology and History

• Exploring Christian Belief 1
• Exploring Christian Belief 2
• History of Christianity: The Story of God’s Church

• Evangelism and Mission

3. Personal Development and Formation

• Spirituality
• Pastoral Care
• Church Management and Leadership

Equipped to Minister aims to offer high quality training and preparation to those serving within the local church. It is managed by a course committee of the College's Academic Board which is empowered by the Union to commend participants for accreditation on the basis of work completed. The Course Committee may also recognise portfolios of training and studies previously accomplished.

Modules are pitched at 'Access level' and as such provide a good foundation for those wishing to continue into further study. Spurgeon's also offers in partnership with the College of Preachers a Certificate in Theology (Preaching) for study by Open Learning. This is validated by the University of Wales and details can be acquired from Dr Stephen Wright at the address below.

Each module of Equipped to Minister costs £75 (prices valid for 2009-10 academic year). Course participants are encouraged to approach their local churches and their Associations for financial assistance.