Local Formation Lead role:
This role sits within the St Hild Centre for Baptist Ministry, and is a collaborative initiative with three of our local Baptist Associations.
The Local Formation Lead (LFL) will coordinate a broad, formational ecosystem of learning opportunities — from entry-level local leader development through to RLM, and onward into further formation and accredited ministry pathways where appropriate. The post is designed to increase the number of trained and equipped leaders across the partnership’s ~370 churches across 14 counties, fostering a habit of ongoing theological learning, spiritual formation, and ministry practice.
A key aspect of the role will be to develop a curriculum/programme suited to local leaders and those pursuing RLM, while helping to identify further formation opportunities, including Continuing Ministerial Development (CMD) training. Some of those already providing local leader training in the UK are willing to share their resources and programmes with others, so that complete reinvention should be unnecessary. The LFL will be expected to network and liaise with equivalent LFLs in other parts of the country, facilitated by BUGB Ministries Team.
3Local leader training is intended to provide accessible, formational development for a wide range of people serving in local Baptist contexts. Within this broader provision, the RLM pathway is a defined route for those whose calling and ministry are being tested and developed towards Recognised Local Ministry. The pathway normally includes four interconnected elements usually undertaken over a two-year period: completion of a foundational theological curriculum; participation in a spiritual formation group; accompaniment by an appropriate mentor; and ministry practice in a Baptist church or in local missional work linked to a Baptist church or Association. The LFL will coordinate these elements across the partnership, working with St Hild College, the Associations, tutors, mentors and local churches. The LFL will not itself determine whether a person is commended for RLM; this remains subject to the relevant Association’s processes, including consideration by the appropriate Ministerial Recognition Committee.
