City Church Ministry Training Scheme

Introduction to the church

City Church is committed to the task of glorifying God and taking the good news of Jesus Christ to the world. We believe that God’s word changes lives and therefore put the teaching of the Bible at the heart of our ministry.

We have been meeting in Edgbaston, about a mile from the city centre since September 1999. We are affiliated to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, a network linking 450 churches in the UK.

We are grateful to God for blessing City Church and not least in the growing numbers attending the church. We attract approximately 250 people to our 10.30am service with around 200 to our 6pm. About a third of our congregation are British undergraduates from the three universities in Birmingham and we also have a busy International Student work. In September 2004 we introduced Studentplus, a meeting for students, after the evening service. This has changed shape over the last few years but now involves a short talk, testimony slot and 30 minute Bible study in smaller groups.

Our apprenticeship scheme started in September 2001 and offers a one or two year programme designed for recent graduates. Many of our trainees have completed the scheme on graduation although some have preferred to apply after working in other jobs first.

The trainees, along with the staff team are based in an office near the location of the school. The office provides a working environment through the week for staff.

Knowledge

As a team, the trainees meet with some of the staff several times a week to pray together for each other and the ministry. Over the course of a year trainees read and review six books and during the summer there is also an opportunity to undertake a supervised summer study project through which apprentices look at an issue or subject of their choice whilst getting direction and advice from a member of the staff team.

As part of their training our apprentices complete the Midlands Ministry Training Course one day a week. The course is located a very short distance from the office. The course provides an opportunity to develop Bible-handling skills as well as the skills necessary to teach it to others. As part of the MMTC there is an opportunity to give talks or lead Bible Studies and receive feedback and advice.

In addition to MMTC apprentices also attend two conferences in the course of the year: 9:38 Apprentices in January and Living Leadership in September.

In the second year of the scheme Trainees also attend the weekly staff team meeting where there is an opportunity to reflect on services and meetings of the church as well as pray for individuals and events.

Skills

Perhaps the smallest component of the scheme is practical service but without the efforts of our trainees the church would not be able to function. Each week trainees help out at a crèche for the mums’ mid-week group and they also carry out a number of practical jobs in the office such as photocopying, website updates, producing audio resources and administration for church events. In total, the practical service element of our scheme does not add up to more than eight hours in a normal week. Meeting in a school on Sundays does mean quite a lot of practical work and it can feel like a long day, without the trainees we really wouldn’t be able to do it. It does mean that as a general rule they will be first in and last out on a Sunday.

Ministry opportunity at City comes mostly in the form of Student work although there is some opportunity to help out in a mid-week youth clubs, or International Student events such as ‘Globe Café’ and even volunteer for some door-2-door evangelism in the community or help out in the Sunday School. Alongside the weekly Studentplus meeting our trainees are expected to meet three times a week with either individual students or small groups to study and learn together. Some of the time trainees work in pairs or with another member of the staff team so that ministry can be a shared experience and trainees can receive advice and evaluation.

Additionally, trainees help organise our student weekend away and a summer term student reading week. Where possible we also aim to involve apprentices in a local University mission week.

Character

Trainees meet each week for approximately 90 minutes with a mentor to read the Bible together and to pray. Apprentices find this part of their week invaluable, as it provides an opportunity to reflect on their experiences and understanding of ministry and the encouragements and challenges it raises for their own personal walk with Christ. It also helps them think through how the training scheme is preparing them for a lifetime of service to Christ and his church, as well as providing opportunities for an apprentice to discover, articulate, and then work through how their own personality, character and gifting shape them as individuals. Learning more about ourselves and our strengths and weaknesses can be challenging and unsettling at times but coupled with humility and a desire for godliness can be a real growing experience.

Availability for 2008-9

We expect to have at least three posts available for 2008-9. The total cost for one MT to serve for a year, including living expenses and training, is about £6,000. We would expect successful applicants to raise about half of that. [Trainees can raise support throughout their year with us – it doesn’t need to all be ready for when they start.] Finances and fundraising are discussed at interview, and support and advice are offered regarding raising this amount.

So who are we looking for?

The kinds of people we need are Christians who want to serve the gospel.

In particular:

People who have a commitment to the importance and centrality of God’s words in their own lives, and a desire to share and develop that in others.
A Christian humility that is shown in an eagerness to learn and willingness to wholeheartedly serve in a whole variety of different contexts.
A level of Christian maturity that would enable trainees to meet with and lead students in Bible study and manage basic pastoral issues.
The ability to work as part of the church staff team

What now?

If you are interested in applying you may like to visit the church on a Sunday. We would be happy to provide hospitality and even a bed for the night. If you would like to apply please fill in the attached application form by the 31^st January 2008 and return it to

Neil Powell (MTS applications)
City Church Office
1 Greenfield Crescent
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 3BE

Interviews will be conducted during February. For further information regarding City Church please visit www.city-church.org.uk . If you have further questions about our scheme contact Neil Powell on 0121-454 9444 or neil@city-church.org.uk.