If you are interested in undertaking a seminary education and have a heart for urban ministry, Oldham Bethel Church have two funded placements available. You can join us on either a one, two or four-year placement, depending on prior experience and long-term ministry plans. We have funds that will cover all course fees as well as providing a small subsistence allowance.
Through our partnership with Union School of Theology, we can now offer their Graduate Diploma in Theology. We currently have funding available for a suitable candidate to join us on a two-year placement. They will enrol on the UST GDip and also join us on our Urban Ministry Training Programme. This means you will receive an accredited seminary qualification and will receive on the job training in leading multicultural, multilingual church. You will gain experience of reaching both South Asian Muslims and the white working class urban poor. You will also receive training in discipling new believers, particular Middle Eastern Muslim-background Iranians, as well as indigenous believers from deprived communities.
For those who are interested in undertaking more basic training, we have funding available for the North West Partnership ministry training course. As above, you will enrol on the NWP training course as well as our on the job Urban Ministry Training Programme. Whilst you will have all the same opportunities to experience urban ministry on this track, the NWP training course requires no prior educational or ministry experience. You can undertake only the first year or both years of the training course and can, therefore, be on placement with us for one or two years. The course will give you an excellent grounding in Bible handling skills and can act as a foundation for going on to study the GDip.
For the right candidate, we would be able to cover fees and offer a small subsistence grant for a two-year placement on the NWP ministry training course as well as fees and small subsistence grant for the GDip. This means you will receive a fulsome theological education providing you with essential Bible handling skills as well as the equivalent of a third-year undergraduate theology degree, with an accredited certificate from a recognised theological institution.
We are looking for a candidate who has a heart for urban ministry – whether to Muslims or the white urban poor – and is interested in undertaking theological education. For a full description, see here and here. To apply, please do get in touch either via this blog or using the contact details on the role profile. We would require a ministry CV documenting prior ministry experience and church background, a covering letter outlining why you would be a good fit for us and what you hope to bring to the role and a completed copy of our ‘ministry profile’ (available on request).
We are able to tailor the training around the candidate and are flexible enough to offer one, two or four-year programmes. The course fees will be covered by Oldham Bethel Church and a small subsistence grant can be provided for the appropriate candidate. However, there is an expectation that you will seek to raise some of your own living costs.
The deadline for applying to the GDip is the end of this month, so time is running out. If you wish to apply to join us on the NWP ministry training course, the deadline is the end of August.