Above Bar Church, Southampton – Intern Programme
Website? www.abovebarchurch.org.uk
About Above Bar Church
Above Bar church is based in the heart of Southampton and therefore has a city centre focus but a broad vision to build Christian Community across the city. Our membership is currently in excess of 450, from all around the city with many students also joining us during term time.
We are an independent, evangelical church with a strong history of Bible based teaching and this is a key ingredient of all services; alongside this teaching there is worship which seeks to be real, relevant and, above all, God-honouring. Our aim is making and maturing followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The large Sunday gatherings are complemented by home groups and other activities for particular age and interest groups where deeper friendships can flourish and we can help each other in the challenges of living out the Christian faith.
Our leadership is made up of 3 full time ministers and a team of unpaid elders. There are many more who lead groups and activities that are essential to the life of our church. As a church we are affiliated to the FIEC, the Evangelical Alliance and the Southampton Christian Network.
Vision and Values
As a church community seeking to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ together in the city of Southampton and beyond, we are committed to becoming increasingly:
Mission-focussed: locally, nationally and internationally
Bible-centred: in our ethos and activities
God-dependent: expressed in prayer and expectation of the Spirit’s work
Authentic community: An authentic community of people from many backgrounds who love and nurture each other as disciples of Christ.
You can find our more about us by visiting our website: www.abovebarchurch.org.uk
Above Bar Church Intern Programme 2008-9 (for 3 interns)
This is an 11 month programme – running from September to July
Particularly now seeking those with a passion for Youth / Children's work
Aims of year:
We aim to see each intern grow in character, gifting and biblical understanding through:
A training programme of learning and study
Practical service in the church
Involvement in areas of the church’s ministry
Ministry involvement
Interns will be linked to a particular ministry within the church (i.e. youth/children/students) and will assist in the preparation and running of meetings, and have opportunities to teach the Bible under the supervision of the relevant staff worker. They will also be able to get a taste of other ministries in church such as work with parents and toddlers and older people, Pastoral Work, Christianity Explored, Taste Freedom Café etc.
Interns will also be expected to attend prayer meetings, church meetings and services etc like other staff members.
Training/study
At present this happens through the Learning to Serve Programme (a local partnership between at Highfield Parish Church, Christchurch Winchester and ourselves) and an in-house bible-study and reading programme. There will also be opportunities to attend a conference during the year (e.g. Word Alive, Bible Centred Youth Worker)
Practical service
This will include assisting the office team in practical/administrative tasks, and helping in other ways e.g. caretaking, setting up for meetings, helping with PA/AV etc.
Supervision/Mentoring
Interns will work under the day to day supervision of the relevant staff member, and will have regular appraisals during the year. From time to time they will have opportunity to discuss their work with one of the church ministers.
They will also have a personal mentor to support them through the year (either from within or outside of ABC).
Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm (With flexibility depending on amount of evening/weekend meetings). Like other church staff interns will be expected to be involved in the Sunday ministry of the church. Interns will have a structured weekly timetable that will be reviewed during the year.
Holidays: 4 weeks a year and bank holidays
Day off: Normally Saturday
Finances: Above Bar Church will some funding for the intern year, and will pay training fees where appropriate, agreed on an individual basis. Interns are also expected to raise some support to help with the costs of the year
Please contact Sue Smith for more details and an application form:
Closing date for applications is 25 April 2008, although if spaces are still available we will consider later applications.