Local Formation Lead 

Role Description 

Job Title: Local Formation Lead (LFL) 

Reports to: RMTL  

Location: South East of England – Kent, Surrey, East & West Sussex 

In 2023, the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) Ministries Team created a framework for local leader training. ‘Local Leaders’ are those who are serving their local context but are not seeking national commendation as an accredited minister.  

A broad definition of local leaders may include worship leaders, deacons, preachers, leaders of church outreach initiatives, and so on. Local leader training is therefore for anyone who wishes to equip themselves better to serve their local setting. Within this broad definition there will be some who seek to build a portfolio of learning, supported practice and reflection such that they meet the requirements to be a Recognised Local Minister (RLM).   

Therefore, local leader training offers a basic foundation in theological reflection for those wishing to equip themselves for: 

• service to their local Baptist church as interns, leaders, pastors and CYF workers; and  
• serving out of a church in local chaplaincy, pioneering or evangelism.  

In addition, participation in a spiritual formation group and accompaniment by a mentor over two years enables a learner to fulfil the requirements of RLM. (Subject to commendation by a regional Ministerial Recognition Committee. Information on the RLM programme may be found here.)   

One of the strategic anchors for BUGB is to increase the numbers of trained and equipped leaders and ministers. As we pursue this objective, we are keen to ensure that provision of local leader training is available everywhere, and to develop opportunities for further learning and formation for those who gain RLM status and for others. 

The South Eastern Baptist Association (SEBA) are seeking to appoint someone to join our team who will have responsibility of developing a culture for local leader training and pathways for people to be trained and formed in leadership, ministry and mission to serve within our churches. Please see the SEBA document named “Three Strategic Pathways”. This role is a key part of implementing SEBA’s Partners in Equipping pathway.  

Key responsibilities 

• Facilitating the delivery of local leader training based on the RLM curriculum but which is open to all who wish to equip themselves for local leadership. This means either: 
  • Partnering with a Baptist College to provide the teaching and assessment demanded by the curriculum; or 
  • Designing, overseeing and managing local/regional delivery of the curriculum. (N.B. SEBA is working in partnership with Bristol Baptist College and New Wells Church Family to form our first training hub, Equip Kent). * 
• Promoting local leader training in the South Eastern Region, paying special attention to enabling those from under-represented groups. 
• Meeting with prospective students and encouraging them to join the programme, as appropriate. 
• Facilitating one or more RLM spiritual formation groups, working alongside the Regional Team. 
• Organising any in-person retreat or formation days as part of the RLM spiritual formation group. 
• Working with Regional Ministers to identify and liaise with RLM mentors. 
• Discussing options for ongoing formation with participants. 

*  This could involve the following: designing the structure of the programme against the RLM curriculum; recruiting and communicating with module tutors; writing module descriptors; writing a student handbook; organising teaching venue and/or tech; collating resources and reading lists; collecting fees and arranging payments; planning annual budgets and setting pricing; ensuring a practical and welcoming learning environment; offering study skills advice and support for students regarding study skills. 

• Assessing the skills required or desired by the region’s RLMs and other more advanced local leaders against the RLM Development Matrix. 
• Developing an ongoing learning community for further training and formation opportunities in conjunction with our partner Colleges as appropriate, to allow ministers with various levels of experience to learn from one-another and develop together. 
• Signposting learners where appropriate to external training or individual coaching for specific skills. 
• Promoting learning communities and events among the wider body of existing ministers for their CMD. 

3. To signpost pathways to accredited ministerial formation as appropriate: 

• Sharing in the discernment of a calling to national accredited ministry by identifying and guiding those who may be so called.  (Please note that we do not expect this person to be involved or facilitate the Ministerial Recognition Committee for SEBA but instead to help facilitate the identifying and supporting of potential candidates.)    
• Liaise with partner Baptist College(s) to explore and develop curriculum.   
• Encouraging potential ministerial candidates towards conversations with Regional Ministers. 

4. To connect with other Local Formation Leads or their equivalents: 

• Meeting occasionally but regularly with LFLs in other regions, and with the relevant individuals responsible for formation, to offer mutual support and to share teaching material and best practice.   
• Pursuing any collaborative working that would enhance formation or avoid duplication. 

5. To contribute to the wider work of SEBA  

• Be part of the SEBA Regional Ministry Team and contributing to its collective responsibilities and discernment. 
• Be part of SEBA’s Leadership Team with specific responsibility for encouraging the development of formation pathways for leadership and ministry training. 

Person Attributes, Experience and Qualifications 

• Either an accredited Baptist minister or someone with experience of working within the context of formation and development of leaders and/or ministers. 
• A university degree or above in theology or equivalent. 
• Proven networking skills and the ability to build warm and collaborative relationships among different people. 
• Ability to facilitate learning. 
• An understanding of how adults learn. 
• An appreciation of diversity and equality. 
• An understanding of how Baptist structures – especially associations and colleges – relate to one another.  
• A commitment to work within and promote Baptist principles as described in the Declaration of Principle. 
• Commitment to own personal development. 
• Good organisational and time management skills.  
• Ability to initiate and sustain new programmes in collaboration with others.     

Salary and practical arrangements 

This role is offered initially on a part-time basis, working 16 hours a week. 

The starting salary for the role will be based on a full-time equivalent of £35,000 per annum.  

Holiday entitlement is 5 weeks pro-rated, plus bank holidays.