ARTICLES

Apprenticing in a large church

Henry Mullen is a second year apprentice in Newcastle. He gives us the inside track to his experiences.

 

Jesmond Parish Church (JPC) is a large church with roughly 1000 people attending each Sunday including children and youth. There is also a large staff team of 32, (some part-time). The first thing that struck me about JPC when I first went was its size; there seemed to be loads going on for people of different ages and stages both Christian and non Christian. Although it would be very easy to go unnoticed in a church the size of JPC, I was made to feel very welcome and settled in quickly.

I began work as an apprentice at JPC in September 2007 and work on the Student Team. My work is quite varied and includes giving talks to students, helping with Sunday school, meeting students one to one, and leading small groups, as well as practical things such as printing service sheets and various administrative jobs. I also receive weekly training seminars covering basic theology and practical training on writing talks, leading small groups, and how to cope with the pressures and responsibilities of full-time ministry.

Many of the things I have enjoyed about working at JPC are not related to its size. But I have, however, benefitted from being in a large church, for example being part of a large staff team. I have found it really valuable to have a group of people on site who can offer help, wisdom and friendship. It has been a privilege to be able to witness and learn from people who, collectively, have a huge range of gifts and approaches to ministry and leadership. Similarly it has been great to have eight other apprentices to work alongside, and get to know, especially as starting work on a large staff team can seem quite daunting.

Working in a big church with different ministry teams has also helped me get an idea of the various types of ministry, their vision and what is involved in running them. This is useful as an apprentice as it gives a taste of different areas of ministry, and has been helpful in thinking through how I might serve in the future.

I have also found that working in a large church has been challenging. I suppose the most obvious challenge with a big church is getting to know people. This tends to be a slower process than in a small church. In saying that, God has blessed me with some deep friendships, and it is great to appreciate the diversity of God's family within the church.  It is also humbling with a church the size of JPC to realise that as an individual you can not do everything. This helped me quickly learn that God does not need me but that he does use me.

My time at JPC has helped me to be equipped for serving the church in many different ways, and has given me a heart for ministry that will make me consider full-time ministry as an option for the future.