Introducing the new Local Preacher and

Worship Leader Course

Information from the Ministry Development

Team

Why have a new course?

• Faith & Worship (1990)• Worship Leader Training (1996)• Ministries Committee has

commissioned a comprehensive redevelopment of local preacher and worship leader training

The writing process

includes:

writers from across the Connexion

critical friends: ensuring creativity is at the heart

of the course

conversation partners: sharing insights from their own diverse ministry and experience

We aim to enable local preachers or worship leaders to be...

Reflective

Committed

Empowering

Respectful

Collaborative

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Whois the course mainly for?• trainee local preachers

• trainee worship leaderso a worship leader is a person

appointed... to take a leading and significant role in the conduct of worship within the life of a local church

Launch dates

Modules 1-4 (for worship leaders and local preachers)

• piloting in specific contexts from September 2014

• available to all from September 2015

Modules 5-8 (local preachers only)

• pilot begins September 2015

Working title:

The vision of the new course

• reshaping in light of new context and feedback

• focus on worship and preaching skills

The vision of the new course

• innovative format

• group-based learning as well as individual

• flexible and accessible

The vision of the new course• oriented toward tomorrow’s Church as

well as today’s

• encouraging a culture of learning in circuits and local churches

• promoting confidence in God

• creating confident leaders of worship

The course will…

• respect students as adults

• include things to see... hear... do... as well as read

• be conversational in style – not textbook

Eight modulesthree sections in each module,

each section including

Worship

Prepare

Explore

Apply & Reflect

Extend

20 hours per section = 60 hours per module

The make up of each section

a range of worship materials offered,related to the theme of the module-section, suitable for use individuallyand/or in groups

Worship

learning materials introducing the area of learning, to be used individually before the group session:• the module-section itself• reading excerpts from other writers• video and audio clips • activities and reflection

Prepare

for the group facilitator: a range of ways whereby the theme can be further explored in a group setting, along with a flexible outline for a one-and-a-half-hour session

Explore

a range of ways in which individuals or groups may apply and reflect on their learning both as disciples, and in ways relevant to particular roles or ministries

Apply & Reflect

further ways in which individuals can deepen and extend their learning beyond the core material of the section, including possibilities for specialisation

Extend

all carefully timed to fit into people’s busy lives…

Each yearmost students will take 2-4

modulesmodules per year

2 3 4

study time per year (hours)

120 180 240

study time per week (48 weeks)

2 ½ 3 ¾ 5

At its heart the course aims to:

• help students make connections with their preaching and/or worship leading• stimulate the student’s own

experimentation and ongoing learning • strengthen their confidence in God’s

love

The modules (working titles)

Module 1: Encountering God…

groundworkModule 2: Encountering God… in the life of the Church

Module 3: Encountering God… in daily life

Module 4: Encountering God… in unexpected places

The modules (working titles)

Module 5: Ministry of the Word

Module 6: Living Faith

Module 7: Understanding our story

Module 8: Voices from the Margins

Same course: various modes of support

Regional groups

Circuit groups

Local groups

One-to-one

Delivering the modules

online learning – with support for those with poor internet connectivity

Demonstrating learning – 3 main aspects

knowledge and understanding

practical skills

reflective skills

Assessment will be by portfolio

one portfolio for modules 1-4 and

another for Modules 5-8

• local marker (usually the student’s tutor)

• regional moderator (coordinated by the regional

ministry development specialist)

• connexional sampling

Assessed and moderated by:

• evidence from services led by student• reflections on acts

of worship led by others

assessing:• practical skills for

leading worship and/or preaching

• reflective skills

Portfolio assessment will include

and … • pieces of work that apply theological understanding in different media contexts

assessing:• knowledge and

understanding, and ability to use in context

• reflective skills

... applying theological understanding

• visual art/ short video

• 10-20 min presentation

• small group discussion/ Bible study

• article for church website /newsletter/personal

blog• short essay• sermon or equivalent• all-age talk• reflection on a song

or hymn• prayer stations• short sketch or

drama• meditation or poem

through a variety of media such as:

The complete portfolio

evidence from:• services led by student - 3-5 (WLs) or 5-7 (LPs)

• two reflections on acts of worship led by others

• pieces of work that apply theological understanding in different media contexts - 4 (WLs) or 6 (LPs)

• overall connecting reflection

Connexional moderation

Connexional moderation

Local assessment moderated within the region

Local assessment moderated within the region

The assessment process

Local tutor assesses whole portfolio(criteria met /not yet met)

Local tutor assesses whole portfolio(criteria met /not yet met)

Student selects items for portfolio

Student selects items for portfolio

Initial feedback from local tutor

Initial feedback from local tutor

What are the changes

• worship leaders and local preachers train together (sometimes with others)• mentor provided for worship leaders• portfolio-based assessment• if worship leaders feel a call to preach

they can continue the course

What doesn’t change

• the Local Preachers’ Meeting continues to lead in the process of discernment • local tutors assess the portfolios• assessed work is moderated

When will Faith & Worship cease to be used?

• final date for registration onto Faith & Worship September 2016• must be completed by August 2021

Q & A

I’ve already started Faith & Worship can I transfer to the new course?

Yes! credits will be awarded in relation to sections completed and assessment passed

Q & A

Q & A

When can I start?

Modules 1-4 will be available to be used across the Connexion from September 2015

Q & A

more answers are available on the Methodist Church website

see - www.methodistchurch.org.uk/lp

The ‘end product’ – we want a local preachers and worship leaders to be...

Reflective

Committed

Empowering

Respectful

Collaborative

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images from stockxchange