Serve » Associate Scheme » Our Ministry Opportunities
Our Ministry Opportunities
Training by doing: what and why?
One of the best ways to learn how to do Christian ministry is actually to do it, and so much of the associates' time is spent involved in first-hand Christian ministry.
Leading a Bible study group
Small groups are a great forum for teaching the Bible, discipling believers and building the church. Leading a faithful, clear and engaging bible study is a key tool for a lifetime of church service in many different capacities.
Whether in our main RML Bible studies, Student night or International growth groups, associates learn to consistently care for a group through the year, whilst getting continual training through our leaders' Bible studies and feedback structure.
Reading the Bible one to one
All associates are encouraged to engage in personal ministry with individuals. This is key to rooting others deeply in the gospel, and can be used wherever the associate ends up, from cross-cultural mission to the secular workplace.
Most associates study the Bible with two or three individuals, from gospelling an unbeliever to establishing a young Christian or training a potential leader.
Giving talks
Most Associates will give talks in their ministry area, eg at an evangelistic dinner party, a student seminar, or on a University mission week. Many of the more experienced associates are also given preaching opportunities to live congregations. All associates deliver a number of practice talks and receive feedback in our workshops.
All these experiences develop biblical clarity and persuasive communication. We believe our work on expository preaching skills is a crucial complement to the doctrinal focus of theological college.
Developing a ministry area
Each associate is given a patch of the church's outreach or activity to develop. It could be supporting a particular University Christian Union, welcoming new arrivals into our small groups, running a lunchtime outreach to workers, or many more. The patches vary in responsibility and scale, so can provide a safe but challenging environment tailored to varying levels of experience and maturity.
Our hope is that associates will learn to take initiative and develop their leadership potential. As with all areas of ministry, this is fertile ground for learning the importance of prayerfulness and godliness.
Individual mentoring
Because we want to train associates for future ministry, not just use them as cheap labour, there is support and feedback in every area. Besides their overall Ministry team leader and the three Associate training staff, each Associate has a personal ministry supervisor to mentor them in their personal walk with Jesus and their gospel service.
