The Ministry Training Course

Who's it for?

The South West Gospel Partnership (SWGP) Ministry Training Course is a one-day-a-week course for those who want to understand the Bible better and be equipped to teach it to others. 

The course runs every Thursday from 10am to 3.30pm, (with Fellowship Groups from 9.25am), at St. Bartholomew’s Church Bath, over 3 ten week terms. 

There is an optional second year which builds on what is learnt in the first year.

It is ideal for church workers and apprentices, preachers, gap-year students, youth and children's workers, home group leaders, women's workers and those in student ministry, indeed any who are actively involved in teaching the Bible and desire to be better equipped.  It is not restricted to those in paid Christian work, but is also suitable for those in retirement or who are able to take a day out from work on a Thursday.

Cost

The MTC 2022/23 costs £210 per term. 

Structure

Each week is divided into four main one hour sessions (with an optional extra at the end of the day):

Bible Overview

Looking at how God's Word fits together from Genesis to Revelation. We study a different biblical book each week and students are encouraged to prepare by reading through the book beforehand.

Expositions

In-depth study of 6 Bible books from different genres, showing how to teach and apply them in the 21st century. In 2020-21 we focusing on John, Exodus, Acts, Judges, Job & Corinthians

Gospel Ministry

Practical training from a range of experienced pastors and Bible teachers. Subjects include Christian leadership, Discipling, Personal Evangelism, Postmodernism, Islam and Apologetics.

Workshops

A chance to gain experience in giving talks and leading Bible studies with feedback from ministers and preachers. After preparing passages in the first term, students practise giving talks or leading Bible studies in a group setting.

Hebrew (optional)

We learn Biblical Hebrew in an accessible and fun way - learning key words, basic grammar, memorising Bible verses and using songs.

We also have our British Museum Trip, as we spend a day seeing how archaeology supports the Bible and gives insight into the background of biblical events. We were unable to run this trip last year due to Covid, but hope to resume it again this year, if circumstances allow.

A typical day looks like this:

Speakers

Charlie Ward is the Course Director. He studied at Oak Hill College before becoming Assistant Minister at St Bart's in Bath in 2006. He teaches the Bible Overview, Church History and a range of other subjects on the course.

Speakers who teach on the course include:

• Paul Mallard (Widcombe Baptist, Bath) - Amos, Acts, Doctrine of Scripture, Revelation, Workshops;
• Rupert Bentley-Taylor (Bath) - Isaiah, Judges
• Spencer Shaw (Emmanuel Evangelical, Chippenham) - Exodus, Hebrews
• Ian Lewis (St Bart’s, Bath) - Ephesians, Genesis 1-11, Postmodernism, Principles of Exposition
• Ed Moll (St George’s, Wembdon) - Preparing & Leading Group Bible Studies, How the Bible came to be, How to give a Bible Talk
• Doug Johnson (Yeovil) - Job, Joshua
• Ad Taylor-Weekes (Emmanuel, Bath) Reading the Bible 1-1, Workshops
• Mike Cain (Emmanuel, Bristol) - Prayer & Ministry
• Ed Shaw (Emmanuel, Bristol) - Same Sex Attraction
• Neil Todman (Headley Park, Bristol) - Church-planting, 1 Corinthians
• Michael Paton (Chippenham) - Islam
• Jem Hovil (St Bart's, Bath) - World Mission Matters

Term Dates

2021/22

Autumn Term 2021:  23 Sep - 2 Dec (Half Term 28 Oct)

Spring Term 2022:    20 Jan - 31 Mar (Half Term 24 Feb)

Summer Term 2022: 28 Apr - 14 Jul (Half Term 2 June, no MTC 30 June)  

'Taster' Day

If you are interested in finding out more about the Ministry Training Course, we hold a Taster Day each year. This is a great opportunity for prospective students to attend 3 sessions of a 'typical' day on the course.

The Taster Day 2022 will be held on Thursday, 10th March. More details to follow later in the year, but please contact the Course Administrator, Jane Clark: [email protected] in the meantime if you would like to find out more about the event.