Foundations for Ministry

Foundations for Ministry is a part-time lay training course run by the diocese to help you find and grow in the ministry to which God is calling you. It is suitable for anyone who wants to serve God in the church and in the world. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

People may go on Foundations for Ministry to explore many different kinds of Christian ministry:

  • serving God where they are at work, in the family, in the community
  • roles within the church (children’s work, youth work, music ministry, churchwardens, PCC members, pastoral work, administrative work and more)
  • ordained ministry
  • licensed lay ministry (Readers, Church Army).

Download Foundations for Ministry leaflet

What does the course cover?

The course will look at the following areas:

  • God’s kingdom and what it means to be the church
  • How we apply our faith to life
  • What ministry is and how we can find and develop our own ministry
  • What are our own gifts and skills and how we can use them with others
  • How the Bible, prayer and working with others can support our ministry
  • Ways of working together that can enrich the ministry of the whole church
  • How small groups work
  • The challenge of mission and how we can share our faith as churches and as individuals.

As well as the main course content, what many people learn the most from on the course is each other. Foundations is designed as a course where people from different parishes can meet together to learn from and encourage each other.

How much work is involved?

The course consists of 24 Wednesday evening sessions (6.45-9.00pm). There is also an induction day and two Saturday study days. All sessions are held at Church House, Manchester.

The evenings usually include worship and a lively presentation on a topic followed by small group time. This involves discussion, reflection, practical exercises, personal sharing and prayer. Each group is led by an experienced leader and participation is encouraged.

Participants will need to do about an hour of ‘linkwork’ between sessions, which feeds into the group discussion. There are no essays or assessed work.

Download Session dates and content list.

Who can apply?

The course is open to anyone who wants to grow and develop in Christian ministry. It is not a basics course, so we expect participants to have some background in Christian life and thinking. Applicants will already be involved in serving God through the church and in their lives.

If you are interested in applying, please discuss it first with your church leader and gain their backing before applying.

How to apply

The course costs £60. You need to apply with payment by 31 July 2012. We are offering 15 free places, one person per parish to parishes that haven’t yet sent anyone on the course. Laity Development grants are also available to help meet the cost of the course.

Download an application for here.

Stories from people who have done the course

During the past year, 30 people have done the Foundations for Ministry course in Manchester Diocese. People can sometimes be put off doing courses like this for fear it might be “too academic” for them – but Foundations is very much a practical course in Christian ministry and encouragement.

Here’s what some people said about the course:

Sam Bruce-Kotey, St James, Moss Side

"It’s all about support, help, love and lots of fun. You will also get a chance to share experience and exchange ideas. We are all called to ministry, the question is, what sort of ministry? If you want to develop your gifts then this is the course for you. You will learn how to be more confident and how to sustain your ministry and gifts. There’s a bit of everything that will make you fully equipped for the spiritual and physical world, theology, evangelism and how to find a spiritual director. We are having a good time and I recommend it to all who seek to be closer to God and to understand his word."

Pat Higson, St James, Moss Side

"The course is there to help people find where God might be leading them in the ministry of the Church. It gives you the opportunity to discuss and learn from other like-minded people from a variety of churches and backgrounds. It also helped me to find and develop my pattern of prayer and Bible study, exploring my own gifts, vocation and calling. I feel I have grown in strength and confidence since starting this course. I do enjoy the speakers, and my group and the wider group."