A quick reminder that we have some funded places available for appropriate individuals to join us on a one, two or four year training programme. The placements and training can be tailored to suit the individual.
No prior qualifications or experience is necessary. With no previous ministry experience, we can enrol you into the NW Partnership Ministry Training Course (MTC) for one year. There is the possibility of a further year extension on that course by mutual consent. You can join with us on a one or two year placement whilst studying on the MTC.
Alternatively, you may join us on a two-year placement by enrolling on our Union School of Theology (UST) Graduate Diploma (GDip) in Theology. This is equivalent to a third-year Bachelor’s degree and requires a prior degree in any subject to enrol. As UST’s learning hub for Greater Manchester, you will be able to study at Oldham Bethel Church whilst undertaking a placement with us in urban context mission alongside your academic study.
Through these two course we can offer placements for one, two or four years depending on your experience. If you have previously undertaken a relevant Bible handling course, you may be able to jump straight onto the GDip and undertake a placement for two years. If you have no prior degree, you can join with us on a one or two year basis by undertaking the Ministry Training Course. If you have completed a prior degree but have no prior ministry experience, you could join with us on a four-year placement by undertaking the Ministry Training Course and then subsequently completing the GDip.
Alongside both courses, you would enrol you onto our Urban Ministry Training Programme. You will gain experience of engaging in apologetics with South Asian Muslims as well as Bible study opportunities with Iranian and Afghan asylum seekers and white British indigenous Oldhammers. You will meet people from a range of backgrounds and gain insight into multicultural, multiethnic church. We can give you training in how to deliver sermons to a multicultural congregation, delivering Bible studies to asylum seekers, white Brits and mixed groups, training in both cold-contact evangelism and sharing the gospel through friendship in an urban setting. You will gain insight into the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the white urban poor as well as issues affecting asylum seekers and the reality of being a South Asian Muslim in an industrial town in the North of England.
We currently have funding that can provide a fee waiver for all courses fees undertaken (MTC £550 per year; GDip £3300 per year). We also have a small amount of funding that may be able to help towards subsistence costs in exceptional circumstances. We would also expect to cover expenses undertaken during the course of any placement.
For more information on the specific courses available, please see the Oldham Bethel Church ‘Training’ page. For more details on the specific placement opportunities, please visit the FIEC job board or North West Partnership ‘ministry opportunities’ page. All placements and training can be tailored to fit the particular background, ministry experience and future ministry plans of the applicant.
If you would like to get in touch to discuss a placement with us, please use the contact form at the top of this blog. We would be glad to answer any questions you may have and discuss how we may tailor a placement that works for you and Oldham Bethel Church.