Introducing the new
Local Preacher and
Worship Leader Course
Information from the
Ministries Development Team
Why have a
new course?
• Faith & Worship (1990)
• Worship Leader Training (1996)
• Ongoing promise of the Conference to
Connexion
• New course – early goal of the DMLN
Collaborative
Inspired
Inquisitive
Respectful
Committed
Passionate
Skilled
Empowering
Grounded
Reflective
Confident
Praying
We aim to enable a local preachers or
worship leaders to be...
Launch date
Modules 1-4 (for worship leaders and local preachers)
• Piloting in specific contexts from September 2014
• Available to all from September 2015
Modules 5-8 (local preachers only)
• Pilot begins September 2015
Working title:
The
vision of the
new course
• Reshaping in light of new context and feedback
• Focus on worship and preaching skills
• Innovative format
• Group-based learning as well as individual
• Flexible and accessible
The
vision of the
new course
• Oriented toward tomorrow’s Church as well as
today’s
• Encouraging a culture of learning in circuits and
local churches
• Promoting confidence in God
• Creating confident leaders of worship
The
course will…
• Respect learners as adults
• Include things to
see... hear... do... as well as read
• Be conversational in style – not textbook
• Be assessed by portfolio
Eight modules
Three sections in each module, each
section including
Worship
Prepare
Explore
Apply & Reflect
Extend
20 hours per section = 60 hours per module
The make up of each section
Worship
a range of worship materials offered
related to the theme of the module-section
suitable for use individually
and/or in groups
Prepare
learning materials introducing the area of
learning, to be used individually before the
group session:
• the module-section itself
• reading excerpts from other writers
• video and audio clips
• activities and reflection
Explore
a range of ways in which the theme can be
further explored in a group setting, along
with a flexible outline for a one-and-a-half
hour session
Apply &
Reflect
a range of ways in which individuals or
groups may apply and reflect on their
learning both as disciples, and in ways
relevant to particular roles or ministries
Extend
further ways in which individuals can deepen
and extend their learning beyond the core
material of the section, including possibilities
for specialisation
All carefully timed to fit into people’s busy
lives…
At
its heart the
course aims
to:
• help learners make connections with their
preaching and/or worship leading
• stimulate the learner’s own experimentation
and learning
The modules (working titles)
Module 1: Encountering God…
groundwork
Module 2: Encountering God…
in the life of the Church
Module 3: Encountering God…
in daily life
Module 4: Encountering God…
in unexpected places
The modules (working titles)
Module 5: Ministry of the Word
Module 6: Living Faith
Module 7: Understanding our story
Module 8: Voices from the Margins
The writing process
includes:
Writers from across the Connexion
Critical friends:
ensuring creativity is at the heart of the
course
Conversation partners:
sharing insights from their own diverse
ministry and experience
Same course: various modes of support
designed to be taught via online learning
and supported in various ways:
Regional groups
Circuit groups
Local groups
1:1
Delivering
the modules
Online learning – with support for those not
connected to the internet
Is
it
an ecumenical
course?
Yes and no!
Assessment will
be recorded as “met” or “not yet met”
take account of the way in which the
learning will be applied in practice
be both formative and summative
test both theological understanding
and practical skills
Assessment will
assess three main aspects:
Knowledge and understanding
Practical skills
Reflective skills
Assessment will
be by portfolio
One portfolio for Modules 1-4 and
another for Modules 5-8
Assessment will
be assessed and moderated by:
• local marker
• Regional moderator
(coordinated by the Regional Ministry
Development Specialist)
• Connexional moderation
Portfolio assessment will include
• Evidence from
•
services led by
learner
Two reflections on
acts of worship led by
others
Assessing:
• Practical skills for leading
worship and/or preaching
• Reflective skills
• Forms that show the
student’s planning process
(including exegesis)
• Evidence of the service itself
(order of service, sermon
transcript etc)
• Report forms / congregational
feedback
In a familiar and an unfamiliar
context
And …
Students choose at least
one subject and no more
than two, from each
module
• Six pieces of work
Each subject addressed
in a different way, such
as…..
Assessing:
• Knowledge and
understanding, and
ability to use in context
• Reflective skills
that apply
theological
understanding in
different contexts
... applying theological understanding
through six of these media items :
• 10-20min presentation •
• Small group discussion/
Bible study
•
• Article for church website
/newsletter/personal
•
blog
•
• Short essay
•
• Sermon or equivalent
• All age talk
Analysis of a song or
hymn
One or more prayer
stations
Short sketch or drama
Meditation or poem
Visual art, short video or
similar
How this
might be
developed
• blog article or presentation
• small group discussion on the Kingdom of God
• an all age talk or sermon using clips from a film
Learners will be encouraged to think
creatively and may use different
combinations of subject and medium
The
complete
portfolio:
• Evidence from services led by learner
• 3-5 services (for worship leaders)
• 5-7 services (for local preachers)
• Two reflections on acts of worship led by others
• Six pieces of work that apply theological
understanding in different contexts
The assessment process
Formative
feedback
from local
tutor
Learner
selects
items for
portfolio
Local tutor
assesses
whole portfolio
(summative:
met /not yet
met)
Summative
assessment
moderated
within the
region
Connexional
moderation
Role of Ministries Specialists
Initial and ongoing
training needs
Formative
feedback
from local
tutor
Learner
selects
items for
portfolio
Local tutor
assesses whole
portfolio
(summative: met
/ not yet met)
Summative
assessment
moderated
within the
region
Connexional
moderation
Managed by
Regional Ministries
Specialists
Collaborative
Inspired
Inquisitive
Respectful
Committed
Passionate
Skilled
Empowering
Grounded
Reflective
Confident
Praying
The ‘end product’ – we want a local preacher
and worship leader to be...
Q&A
When will Faith & Worship cease to be used?
Final date for registration onto Faith & Worship
September 2016
Must be completed by August 2021
Q&A
I’ve already started Faith & Worship can I
transfer on the new course?
Yes!
Credits will be awarded in relation to sections
completed and assessment passed
Q&A
When can I start?
Modules 1-4 will be available to be used
across the Connexion from September
2015
Q&A
More answers are available on
the Methodist Church website
See Local Preachers
www.methodistchurch.org.uk
The new course intended for the training of
worship leaders and local preachers will be in
place from September 2015.
If you would like Jonathan Mead to visit your
local preachers meeting (or any other
appropriate meeting) and give a presentation
on this material, please do get in touch!
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Layout: Amanda Bicknell