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
Collaborative
Inspired
Inquisitive
Respectful
Committed
Passionate
Skilled
Empowering
Grounded
Reflective
Confident
Praying
We aim to enable local preachers or
worship leaders to be...
Who
is the course
mainly for?
• trainee local preachers
• trainee worship leaders
o 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 modules
three 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
Worship
a range of worship materials offered,
related to the theme of the module-section,
suitable for use individually
and/or in groups
Prepare
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
Explore
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
Apply &
Reflect
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
Extend
further ways in which individuals can deepen
and extend their learning beyond the core
material of the section, including possibilities
for specialisation
all carefully timed to fit into people’s busy
lives…
Each year
most students will take 2-4 modules
modules per
year
2
3
4
study time
per year
(hours)
120
180
240
study time
per week
(48 weeks)
2½
3¾
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…
groundwork
Module 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
Assessed and moderated by:
• local marker
(usually the student’s tutor)
• regional moderator
(coordinated by the regional ministry
development specialist)
• connexional sampling
Portfolio assessment will include
• 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
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
through a variety of media such as:
• 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
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
The assessment process
Initial
feedback
from local
tutor
Student
selects
items for
portfolio
Local tutor
assesses
whole portfolio
(criteria met
/not yet met)
Local
assessment
moderated
within the
region
Connexional
moderation
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
Q&A
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
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
Collaborative
Inspired
Inquisitive
Respectful
Committed
Passionate
Skilled
Empowering
Grounded
Reflective
Confident
Praying
The ‘end product’ – we want a local preachers
and worship leaders to be...
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