Events 

Please note - with all events advertised below, whilst we are publicising them, the views and comments expressed are not necessarily approved by the Association - unless they have been organised specifically by the Association. 

Life Issues - hosted at Godalming Baptist Church

Newly Accredited Ministers

Recognising our NAMS

What a privilege to have 9 ministers completing their time as NAMs in SEBA this year. Here's a few of the photos from the evening in West Bromwich:

Allie Moore, Findon Valley	Andy Eyre, formerly Eden Church	Rachel Watson, Milford
		Ministers presented at the  Baptist Assembly 2025
Simon Evans-White, Halton	Tom Fisk, Swalecliffe	Watch a video of those presented and their prayer requests here

Jobs and Vacancies 

Children & Family Worker - The Hub, Beeding

The Hub, Beeding is seeking a Children & Family Worker to continue and expand the community ministry at The Hub.

It's a fixed term (12 month), part-time (60% FTE) contract with the possibility of expanding to a permanent, full-time job in due course.

For more information, check out their website thehubbeeding.org/children-family-worker/ 

Chaplains (voluntary - South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAMB)

There are chaplaincy vacancies in the following operating units:

• Tangmere
• Chertsey
• Paddock Wood
• Hastings
• Crawley EOC
• Brighton

Chaplaincy volunteers play an important role within our ambulance support network and provide pastoral support and care of staff, assisting them through any life problems or difficulties, making (agreed) referrals to other parties where appropriate. Our chaplaincy volunteers are drawn from all faiths, denominations and all walks of life and need to be a member of good standing within their own faith community or philosophical tradition. Volunteers must be willing to work in a multi-cultural setting, supporting without judgement those who may wish to explore their own concerns, beliefs, and values. This role suits volunteers who enjoy meeting people, building rapport and have the maturity to listen to people who may be in distress.

For more information, check out https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/C9278-25-0101?searchFormType=main&keyword=chaplains&language=en

Closing date: 24 June 2025

Trustee of the Pension Board (voluntary) - Baptist Pension Scheme

BPS are looking for an investment expert to join the Trustee Pension Board - this role does not have a fixed term of office.

Commitment required:

• Maintaining a good level of knowledge and understanding of investment options and practice in the DC pensions field
• Attending half-day IC meetings at least twice a year (usually online). There is a significant amount of pre-reading provided to ensure committee members are familiar with the items being covered
• Being available for consultation by email and occasionally telephone when issues arise between meetings
• Participating in additional meetings from time to time (e.g. when selecting a new investment manager).

Further details can be found on the Baptists Together website https://www.baptist.org.uk/Groups/220498/Jobs.aspx 

Interest should be expressed by 9am 23 June 2025,

Vacancies to represent SEBA across the area

SEBA have some vacancies on groups that you may be interested in (see list below).

• Two SACRE vacancies - on the panels, who provide input into how Religious Education is taught and collective worship is undertaken in our schools - the vacancies are in LEA areas of Surrey and Medway - click here for the role description - and here for the terms of reference. If you would like more information about the role of a SACRE representative, our current East Sussex SACRE rep, Peter White, is more than happy to have a chat - if you would like his details, please contact Steph Tidy (admin@seba-baptist.org.uk) 
• up to two Trustee vacancies for the Kent Workplace Mission - the KWM work in Kent, Medway, Bromley & Bexley supporting people of faith, at work; developing chaplaincy ministries in workplaces and helping local Christian communities to actively engage with their local economic community.  For more information, go to their website kentworkplacemission.org

If you are interested in being involved in this way, please email Steph steph@seba-baptist.org.uk 

If you would like to add a church-based or Christian charity vacancy to the monthly email please let me know steph@seba-baptist.org.uk

Please note, we cannot post vacancies for Church Minister positions, as these should go through your Regional Minister and the Settlement system.

Resources and Information 

Spring's Dance Company

Journey of the Magi – a much-loved, family-friendly, festive frolic with a profound message for your church to host.   

“I would recommend this to any church [...] It was a sparkling breath of fresh air from the usual Christmas events; thought-provoking, relevant and just so different.” All Saints’ Church Plumpton, East Sussex 
“The show was wonderful and it was such a thrill to have the hall buzzing – everyone was captivated. Inspired visual storytelling” Central Hall Methodist Church, Walsall 

Share the joy and wonder of Christmas with your local community through this fast-paced,  brilliantly-witty yet poignant performance. 

Journey of the Magi is a professional production of dance, theatre, song and poetry. It is a family show: accessible for all, fun and thought-provoking, full of warmth, hilarity and delight. It offers a wonderful opportunity to laugh, reflect and refocus during advent.

Springs is inviting churches to host a performance of Journey of the Magi, which will be available nationally from 21st November – 22nd December 2025.  
Further information can be found on the Springs Dance Company website page: https://springsdancecompany.org.uk/productions/journey-of-the-magi/ by emailing touring@springsdancecompany.org.uk or by calling 07775 628442.

Youthscape Essentials

Youthscape Essentials provides all-round training for every volunteer youth leader. It’s also ideal for those who are new to youth ministry, those with no formal youthwork training or anyone returning after a gap.

The course covers 30 essential elements of youthwork, delivered across 10 sessions or in a way that works for your context. Each session is divided into three parts; providing ‘Insights’ into the lives of young people, learning ‘Practical Skills ’ to assist with youth work, and reflecting on love as the foundation for youth ministry, to 'develop character'. Whatever your role in youth ministry; whether paid or voluntary, Sunday morning bible studies or mid-week youth groups, regular baptism classes or occasionally helping out, then Youthscape Essentials is for you! 

The next available course dates are:

• 17 Sept 2025 (Wednesdays, 7.15pm-9.15pm)
• 13 Jan 2026 (Tuesdays, 7.15pm-9.15pm (10 Sessions))
• 13 Apr 2026 (Mondays, 7.15pm-9.15pm (8 Sessions))

It’s also possible to host the course for those in your church or community. Just sign up to attend a Hosting Workshop on the YSE webpage to find out more.

Weblink: For further info, check out the FAQs on our webpage: www.youthscape.co.uk/yse 

Spurgeon's College

**new** Free Online Webinars

Spurgeon’s College is delighted to announce the launch of a new Master’s degree MA In Transformational Church Leadership In Collaboration with Pastor Rick Warren.

Come and find out more about this exciting new master’s course at one of our following webinars.
Please register your interest on one of the links below

• 9 June - 10.00 - 11am
• 3 July - 7.00 - 8.00pm
• 4 August - 2.00 - 3.00pm

or contact the admissions department for further information: admissions@spurgeons.ac.uk

Open Day for Undergraduate & Postgraduate Studies in Theology

Saturday 21 June 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm
Spurgeon’s College, South Norwood Hill, London, SE25 6DJ
Are you interested in studying Theology at undergraduate or postgraduate level and would like to find out more? We are delighted to open our Campus and invite you to come and meet some of our academic staff and hear about the various courses we offer. You will be able to hear presentations, tour the campus including the library as well as discuss funding options. For more information, please register here or contact the admissions department for further information: admissions@spurgeons.ac.uk 

The Centre for Baptist Studies

Baptist Perspectives on Science & Religion

24 & 25 September 2025 / Regent's Park College, Oxford
This two-day conference will be held at Regent’s Park College, Oxford and is free to attend, including meals and accommodation if needed.   An extensive line-up of renowned speakers will address the History, Issues, and Theology of Baptist engagement with the sciences. For more details and the full programme visit:
 
https://www.rpc.ox.ac.uk/event/baptist-perspectives-on-science-and-religion/
 
If you are interested in attending, please contact the administrator who will send you a registration form: alan.kerry@regents.ox.ac.uk 

St Hild College (Centre for Church Planting and Centre for Baptist Ministry)

Both/And  Church: Micro Meets Congregation

Integrating Micro-Church and Disciple-Making practices into Established Congregations and Church Plants

Tuesday 16 September 2025, 10am-3pm with lunch break
A free Online Symposium
Could the church be revitalised by linking the missional effectiveness and leadership development strengths of micro-churches and ‘disciple making movements’ with the stability and resources of traditional church structures?
 
A number of years into this emerging trend, what can we learn from each other? What reflections and honest assessments do the micro-church practitioners offer on their approach and fruitfulness? What could traditional models of church learn and integrate so as to become more missionally and pastorally effective?
 
Join this half-day online symposium as we explore these emerging hybrid ‘best of both’ models and identify practical approaches for enhancing community outreach and spiritual formation. This is a forum to hear and discuss our theological, missiological, ecclesiological and practical reflections, within the mixed ecology of the UK church. We encourage contributions on the day from practitioners in various situations.

For booking and more information, click here.

The College of Preachers 

Sermon crafting

Monday 7 July 2025, 10.30-13.00 | Online via Zoom
How a sermon is put together is as important as how it is delivered. In this workshop, we'll look at ways of crafting sermons that tell a story, helping our congregations to think afresh about the scriptures and see how they relate to their own life and faith. This workshop is designed primarily for those new to ministry and preaching. The workshop will be led by the Revd Dr Jennifer Brown, Director of Training for the College of Preachers. 

Preaching the Jesus of John’s Gospel

Saturday 12 July, 14.00-16.30 | Online via Zoom
This workshop will explore the importance of the relationship between Jesus and the Father and, by extension, the divine family, to John's theology, including the invitation extended to us to become part of that divine family through following Jesus. We will consider how we can draw on John's theology of the divine family to find new insights for our preaching. This workshop will be led by Dr Rebecca Dean, Lecturer in New Testament at Ripon College Cuddesdon. 

Preaching the Psalms

Saturday 20 September 2025, 10.00-13.00 | Online via Zoom
The Psalter was the prayerbook of Jesus, quoted more by him than any other book. In this workshop, we shall explore ways in which we can bring the Psalms to life and encourage our congregations to make them central to their prayer and spirituality.
This workshop will be led by the Revd Dr Philip Jenson, former teacher of Old Testament at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. 

Conference booking now open!

In addition to our workshops, our next preaching conference, with the theme of ‘The Wonder of Words’, will be taking place from 9th to 11th September at the Hayes Conference Centre.
 
Further details, including pricing, and booking links for workshops and the conference can be found on the College of Preachers’ website, www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events.