Children, youth and family ministry at Bristol Baptist College

There's an urgency in continuing to discover what it means to share the good news and to be good news to the children, families and young people in our communities, writes Clare Hooper - and here are some of the ways our college is enabling that to happen

 
Bristol Baptist College is committed to hearing the voice of children and young people and enabling their full participation in the life of our churches. We are also acutely aware of the lack of children and young people in many of our churches and so there’s an urgency in continuing to discover what it means to share the good news and to be good news to the children, families and young people in our communities. This is the context that informs the training and formation we provide for all our students here at Bristol Baptist College.

So where might you fit into this?

Maybe you’ve been in your role for some time at your church? Maybe you’re just starting out? Or maybe you’re exploring a calling to accredited Baptist ministry and you would love your training to have a children, youth and families element? Whatever the season is that you find yourself in, Bristol Baptist College could have a pathway that works for you.

Our current opportunities for training include ‘Spiritual Child’ training, which really lends itself to a church team engaging with it together. Or how about ‘Playful Mentoring’ if you’re finding yourself doing some one-to-one work? But if these aren’t what you’re looking for, then have a chat with us because we might be able to create something that meets your training need.

If you’re looking for more formal learning then we’re able to offer a certificate in children, youth and family ministry that is placement based with teaching delivered in block weeks. This gives students the excellent opportunity to put their learning into practice and a chance to reflect; but without the constraints of coming in every week, enabling those who live further away to access the course.

We’re also able to offer a pathway for those wanting to study at MA level which might be of interest if you’ve got experience in children, youth or family ministry or are interested in discovering more about CYF ministry as part of your continual ministerial development. Again, this is being taught in block weeks which might especially benefit those that are working full-time.

Finally, we know that Baptist Ministry comes in all shapes and sizes and that includes a shape for those working with children, young people and families. You might not feel you’re the right shape for accredited Baptist Ministry but, the truth is, we need your shape. We need those ministers who are able to draw alongside families supporting and equipping them to share their faith with their children. We need ministers who don’t just see the toddler group as a nice thing that the church does but as an integral part of the life of the church. We need those ministers who realise the value of mentoring and investing in the young people in their local school even if they never make it to a church service. You get the picture!

Please take a look at what’s on offer or better still get in touch as we’d love to chat and pray with you about what might be a good fit. It’s not too late to apply for this September.

Find out more on the Bristol Baptist College website.
 

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