Christchurch Durham
Project Name: Ministry Training Scheme (MTS)
Programme: Equip
Location: Durham, UK
Main contact: Tony Jones, Minister, Christchurch Durham
Support provided: Housing and book allowance and costs associated with the training of a ministry associate (attendance on training conferences, course materials etc.)
Summary:
The Ministry Training Scheme (MTS) at Christchurch Durham seeks to train up men and women who will be able to live godly lives and handle God’s word rightly, that they might be sent out from Durham as gospel workers for the global harvest field (Matthew 9:38). Sam Herbert has recently completed two years as an associate and is, like many associates at Christchurch Durham, a recent graduate from Durham University and has therefore already received, effectively, 3 years gospel teaching as well as some first-hand experience of ministry with children, youth and students. During his 2-year associateship, he has been given formal training on Bible handling skills as well as a chance to put his gifts and learning into practise in the wide variety of ministries within the church. JMT has been supporting some of the costs of training an associate like Sam.
Details and background:
The MTS was established at Christchurch Durham in 2003 and seeks to be obedient to the command in Matthew 9:38 which, because “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few”, is to “ask the Lord of the harvest, to send out workers into his harvest field.” The MTS has grown, from 3 associates in 2003, to a current team of 8 associates. There are plans to continue the growth and expansion of the MTS scheme over the coming years.
The scheme breaks down into, roughly speaking, 3 main areas:
1) Training: As an associate, a third of Sam’s time has been spent being trained for future word ministry. This has taken place mainly on a Wednesday with sessions including a Bible overview (going from Genesis-Revelation in 1 year), on tools for ministry such as how to construct and give an evangelistic talk, how to prepare and lead a bible study, understanding church discipline, etc. as well as a practical session where each week there has been an opportunity to prepare and deliver a talk to the rest of the group and receive critical feedback in order to sharpen each other’s Bible-handling. Sessions also occur throughout the year and will include, for example, going on selected conferences and being encouraged to take study-days away. Each associate is also linked closely with some of the senior staff team who are able to provide training as needed on a more personal or ministry area-based level.
2) Serving: Another part of the scheme is to introduce associates to as many parts of the church as possible to see ‘how the body works’. Setting up for meetings and events, coordinating the student conferences, and assisting with the necessary administrative tasks are all part of the scheme designed to discover and develop gifts and abilities that may be used to serve and advance the gospel.
3) Teaching: Christchurch is situated in the heart of a busy university town with 10,000 students right on its doorstep. Around 250 of these come regularly to Christchurch. The student ministry is therefore a large part of the wider church and the associates are involved in putting their gifts and learning into practise. This year, Sam has led a student Bible study table of 8 1st year lads and co-ordinated the annual Student Mid-Year Conference. Other involvement in the student work has included personal work, delivering evangelistic talks within university Christian Unions, leading seminars throughout the year, co-ordinating the Christianity Explored at Christchurch and helping run the Sunday evening meeting at which many students attend. Associates are also encouraged to develop their gifts in other areas of ministry and Sam has led the weekly 11-14s mid-week and Sunday youth group and has had the occasional opportunity to preach as part of his training for future ministry.
Student Mid-Year conference Weekly Christianity Explored course
Latest updates:
Sam will be staying on at Christchurch as Student Worker from September ’07 with a particular brief to expand and develop the ministry among students, particularly at Focus, the central student Bible study where most of the ‘growing’ is done. Two associates that joined last year are also staying on for a 2nd year with 6 more joining the team in September
Links and info:
For information on groups, events and activities at Christchurch see the website at www.christchurchdurham.org
Ways to get involved:
Financial support -The cost associated with housing, the training scheme and a living allowance is approximate £8,000 per associate per year. Christchurch Durham is keen to expand the MTS scheme to equip more men and women to speak for Jesus and work with the students during their time here at Durham. JMT is currently providing support towards one of the associate, covering the Church's requirement to cover ~£3,000 of the cost.
Prayer -
Pray for more workers to be sent out, telling God’s gospel throughout the world.
Pray many of the final-year students at Durham would consider being part of the MTS scheme and equipped for a lifetime of ministry.
Pray that this year, many of the lost among the 10,000 students here at Durham University would hear the gospel, repent, believe and be saved.
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