MTS: PATHWAYS GROWING TODAY S APPRENTICES INTO TOMORROW S LEADERS STEPS 1 2 OF THE MTS 10 STEP PROCESS

Transcription

1 MTS: PATHWAYS GROWING TODAY S APPRENTICES INTO TOMORROW S LEADERS STEPS 1 2 OF THE MTS 10 STEP PROCESS APPROVAL DATE: 1ST SEPTEMBER, 2012 EFFECTIVE: 1ST JANUARY,

2 THE 10 STEP PROCESS Welcome to Stage 1 in the MTS 10 Step Process to becoming a ministry apprentice. MTS believes Every disciple has the responsibility to be a disciple maker. Paid full time gospel ministry is a great privilege and also a great responsibility. At MTS, we want you to be as well prepared for a lifetime of service as you can be. We believe that a ministry apprenticeship, under the guidance of an experienced trainer, will give you the experience and the skills you need. Any godly man or woman wishing to complete an MTS Apprenticeship must go through three stages: 1. INVESTIGATION 2. APPLICATION 3. ACTIVATION The three stage process can be completed step by step. There are ten steps in all. Right now, you are at step one of stage one. The 10 Step Process is detailed on the following page. 2

3 THE 10 STEP PROCESS STEP DESCRIPTION STAGE OF PROCESS 1 PATHWAYS INVESTIGATE MTS PATHWAYS INVESTIGATION (MTS DOCUMENTATION) 2 READ & DISCUSS MTS PATHWAYS ALL FOR THE KINGDOM PASSING THE BATON 3 APPLY KIT DOWNLOAD & READ APPLICATION KIT 4 5 APPLY APPRENTICE APPLICATION FILLED IN APPRENTICE INTERVIEW APPLICATION (MTS APPLICATION KIT) 6 APPLICATION MAILED TO MTS 7 STARTER KIT CONFIRMATION OF APPLICATION 8 9 PUBLIC COMMISSIONING 6 MONTHLY TRAINING + FEEDBACK ACTIVATION (MTS STARTER KIT) 10 APPRENTICE GRADUATION 3

4 STEP 1. INVESTIGATE MTS PATHWAYS PATHWAYS 4

5 WHAT ARE THE MTS PATHWAYS? In addition to continuing to train MTS Apprentices, as we have done since 1979; MTS resolved to develop a variety of additional pathways. MTS wanted to provide a suite of apprentice training pathways that could work for any godly man or woman wanting to train to become a harvest worker (Matthew 9:37-38). These options fall into three main categories. MTS Apprentice is a two year, full time hands-on apprenticeship, based on providing practical experience in a range of different ministries. MTS Apprentice is great preparation for Team Leaders. Team Leaders are like the anchor of a ministry, they must be trained to weather the storm and not come loose. MTS Hybrid is an apprentice pathway that combines practical experience with theological studies, enabling you to immediately use what you learn. MTS Hybrid is great preparation for being a Team Member. MTS Prepare is an apprenticeship taster. It is a great way to prepare for either MTS Apprenticeship or MTS Hybrid. CHALLENGE PREPARE APPRENTICESHIP COLLEGE OUTCOME PREPARE MTS APPRENTICE 3+ YEARS TL 1 TIM 3 TM MTS HYBRID MDM intended future pathway TL = Team Leader TM = Team Member MDM = Maker of Disciple Makers 1 TIM 3 = Godly men and women who live in line with 1 Timothy 3 5

6 WHAT ARE THE OUTCOMES? Ministry apprentices will achieve one of the three listed apprentice outcomes. TEAM LEADERS (TL) It is our aim and prayer that through an apprenticeship, godly men and women will be trained to become the leaders of ministry teams, whether this is as a senior minister or as the head co-ordinator of a ministry. Team leaders will ordinarily do: MTS Apprentice style of apprenticeship Complete three to four years of formal theological study Team Leaders within the MTS movement include Ray Galea (Senior Minister at Multicultural Bible Ministry, Rooty Hill NSW), Rory Shiner (Unichurch Pastor at St Matthew Shenton Park, WA), Chris Little (Senior Minister at Albury Bible Fellowship, NSW) and Michelle Philp (Women s Worker, Crossroads Church, Canberra). TEAM MEMBER (TM) Many who complete an apprenticeship will be involved in some form of paid full time ministry, working as a member of a ministry team. This might be in a church or in another ministry organization. Team Members will ordinarily do the MTS Hybrid apprenticeship and stay on as a theologically trained team member. Team Members within the MTS Movement include Craig Dobbie (EV Church, Central Coast NSW) and Ally Merriment (St Cuthbert s Anglican, South Carlton, NSW). MAKER OF DISCIPLE MAKERS (MDM) All MTS Apprentice graduates should have been trained, by their trainer, to be a maker of disciple makers. It is now their turn to train others in the same way, producing more makers of disciple makers. Makers of Disciple Makers in the MTS movement include Jayan Parry from Woden Valley Bible Church (ACT). Jayan works as a public servant four days a week and is a keen evangelist and disciple who also works on the Church Planting Strategy Team at WVBC. I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS Step One of the Ten Step Process aims to answer some of your initial questions about the different MTS Pathways you can choose, including: What are the different pathways I can choose? What are the features of each apprenticeship? How much does each apprenticeship cost? Which apprenticeship will be best for me? 6

7 WHICH PATH SHALL I TAKE? We ve designed this table in order to give you an overview of each pathway and what it involves. More details on each pathway can be found further on in the booklet. MTS Prepare MTS Hybrid MTS Apprentice Who should do this apprenticeship? People taste testing ministry apprenticeships. Open to everyone. Future Team Members. Ministry workers e.g. youth worker, full time SRE teacher, Assistant Ministers, AFES staff. Future Team Leaders e.g. Senior Ministers, AFES Campus Directors, Movement leaders. Spouses of theological students. What is involved? M: get involved in a ministry T: meet with a trainer monthly S: get immersed in the scriptures 2.5 days ministry work 2.5 days study Blue Collar: 4 days ministry work 1 day TAFE style training Full time, hands on, supervised training under an experienced pastor. Recommended minimum duration? 1 year 2 years 3 years (Blue Collar) 2 years What are the post apprenticeship plans of these people? Prepare apprentices will move on to the other apprenticeship streams. Paid ministry, perhaps in the church where they did apprenticeship. Full time theological study heading toward leadership in a paid ministry role. Theological training during apprenticeship Training as a disciple in order to be a disciple maker. Formal theological education up to Advanced Diploma level. Training as a disciple, in order to be a disciple maker and in thinking Biblically and theologically in preparation for further theological training. Time Option Spare time Full/part time Full time Hours Per Week 3 hours on top of current ministry (1 hour meeting, 2 hours theological reflection)

8 MTS APPRENTICE WHAT IS IT? The MTS Apprentice pathway is designed to give you on the job experience and training prior to theological study. It is centred on prayer, Bible study and practical ministry. It is a 2 year, hands-on, full time ministry apprenticeship. MTS Apprentice gives you the opportunity to live the life of a full time gospel worker. The MTS option will help you work out (i) how you re wired and (ii) where you might plug in to grow God s Kingdom in the future. If a person wants to be a farmer long term, they don t head off to Yanco Agricultural College as a first port of call. They need to head off to a farm and work alongside an experienced farmer for a couple of years. They need to live through a couple of annual cycles. They need to know what it is like to deliver lambs in the middle of the night, drive a harvester to bring in the grain before it is destroyed by rain and grapple with the blurred boundaries between work and rest. The MTS Apprentice is the best way to work out a person s suitability to be a team leader in the future. WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE? Being in the MTS Apprentice pathway involves a two year program based within a church or a specialist ministry team. The essence of MTS is learning through active participation in evangelism and Bible teaching, all under the leadership of a Trainer. MTS apprentices that register with MTS will be trained in accordance with the MTS Apprentice Curriculum. They work in the field for 3.5 days per week paid and volunteer 1.5 days per week to complete the curriculum requirements. The MTS Apprentice Curriculum grows leaders in 8 learning areas: 1. Bible Study 2. Thinking Theologically 3. Prayer and Godliness 4. Relationships in Ministry 5. Evangelism and World Mission 6. Teaching the Bible 7. Train others in Ministry 8. Leadership You became imitators of us and of the Lord 1 Thessalonians 1:6 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 8

9 CHALLENGE PREPARE APPRENTICESHIP COLLEGE OUTCOME PREPARE MTS APPRENTICE 3 YEARS TL 1 TIM 3 TM MTS HYBRID MDM MTS APPRENTICE STORIES Jane Tooher Al Stewart Rory Shiner As I train and encourage women (and men) in a variety of ministries now, it was good to have personal experience of these things and be trained by older, mature Christian brothers and sisters in them. I trained other people for ten years at UNSW. [MTS] gave confidence that the Word of God changes lives. MTS has been the single most shaping influence in my approach to ministry. It gave me, among other things, a sense of what a good pattern of ministry is, and a commitment to the priority of making disciple making disciples. MTS apprentices registered with MTS are classified as Religious Practitioners by the Australian Tax Office (Authorisation Number: ) and under the terms of the Cadetship are Fair Work Australia compliant. 9

10 MTS HYBRID WHAT IS IT? The MTS Hybrid option offers you a combination of on-the-job training and part time theological study through a theological college. You will need to choose who you will approach as your theological education service provider. WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE? The MTS Hybrid apprenticeship is designed so that you combine study and on the job training. You will do a minimum of 2.5 days ministry work and maximum of 2.5 days theological study over 2 years. Your qualification at the end of the two years will depend on which college and course you select. You can receive up to an Advanced Diploma level qualification. HOW DO I CHOOSE A COLLEGE? MTS is in partnership with several theological education service providers. We have partnered with these seven specific theological colleges for the following reasons: 1. They are Reformed Evangelical colleges. 2. They are pro ministry apprenticeship they know that the combination of an MTS apprenticeship and rigorous theological education is great preparation for a lifetime of gospel ministry. WHY DO WE NEED MTS HYBRIDS? The Christian landscape has changed dramatically over the last years. In 1990 in Australia, the overwhelming majority of churches/ministries had one paid minister. Now many churches and campuses have staff teams. The MTS Hybrid pathway seeks to train up suitably gifted people, in an appropriate way to serve on those teams. MTS Hybrid apprentices will ordinarily continue to preach Christ long term within the church where they did their apprenticeship. What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2 10

11 CHALLENGE PREPARE APPRENTICESHIP COLLEGE OUTCOME PREPARE MTS APPRENTICE 3 YEARS TL 1 TIM 3 TM MTS HYBRID MDM intended future pathway MTS HYBRID STORIES MTS Hybrid: Blue Collar There s a real emphasis that when they develop resources and materials it s geared towards learning how to put it into practice. I m excited about being assisted in the nuts and bolts of Christian ministry. Matthew Bennett Claire Merkel MTS Hybrid: Timothy Partnership I spend half of my week studying through the Timothy Partnership, completing a Diploma of Theology and the other half of my week being trained in practical ministries within my local church. I am involved in leading youth group, coordinating the music team at church, teaching Scripture to primary school children, mentoring young women and meeting up with women one-to-one to read the Bible and pray together [MTS Hybrid] has been helpful in growing and strengthening my understanding of God s word and becoming more confident in sharing that knowledge with others and encouraging others in their walk with God. 11

12 MTS PREPARE WHAT IS IT? If you re not sure about jumping right into a two year apprenticeship, you can prepare for it with the MTS Prepare strand. It aims to help someone with the right characteristics for leadership (like those Paul lists in 1 Timothy 3) to prepare for two years of MTS Apprentice or MTS Hybrid. You get the opportunity to begin and develop a relationship with your trainer before the apprenticeship starts, and it gives you time to talk through issues needing to be discussed, such as funding and ministry responsibilities. WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE? The MTS Prepare apprenticeship is designed to run for three hours a week for the duration of the year prior to your MTS apprenticeship. During that year it is expected that you will: M Get involved in ministry T Meet with your trainer monthly S Get immersed in the Scriptures. Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:13 12

13 CHALLENGE PREPARE APPRENTICESHIP COLLEGE OUTCOME PREPARE MTS APPRENTICE 3 YEARS TL 1 TIM 3 TM MTS HYBRID MDM intended future pathway MTS PREPARE STORIES Felicity Pallett The prep year was a great way to build my relationship with my trainer. We became more comfortable together, which has allowed us to be honest and open with one another. The prep year was a helpful time of developing the habits I would later need in training such as reflecting on ministry experiences, reading relevant Christian books, being accountable to someone and reflecting on God s word with them. This gave me a taste of what it would be like as a ministry apprentice and made the transition easy. Meeting up with somebody helped me make the decision to do MTS because hearing about and understanding her experience in MTS and utilising her wisdom helped me consider whether it was something I may or not be able to do. It also helped me prepare myself mentally and spiritually as we prayed together about my future and read God s word for guidance. Samantha Jennings 13

14 BENEFITS OF MTS MTS s role is to help local churches identify and train gifted individuals before helping them to decide on the next step in their ministry. By registering a ministry apprenticeship with MTS, apprentices and trainers are joining a network of hundreds of other gospel workers and working alongside them to grow God s kingdom. Joining with MTS entitles the MTS Apprentice ten benefits: 1. Religious Practitioner status with the Australian Tax Office, resulting in more financial flexibility. 2. Training Wage eligibility MTS Apprentices are not bound by the Fair Work Australia minimum wage, therefore apprentices can be paid a wage which is more affordable for the Training Centre. 3. Quality Assurance MTS Apprentices are trained in accordance with an MTS approved curriculum, therefore standardizing apprentice training nationwide. 4. Monitoring all apprentices are surveyed every six months to ascertain the satisfaction rating of the apprenticeship. Apprenticeships that are deemed to be functioning at an unsatisfactory level will receive help and assistance from MTS Head Office. 5. Trainer Coaching MTS will provide coaching and assistance to trainers learning to train their first apprentice(s). 6. G8 Conference All MTS Apprentices attend the MTS National Gathering of Apprentices. 7. Resources MTS will update the MTS Curriculum annually and will provide a continuous feed of new resources. 8. Nationwide Uniformity all apprentices, no matter what their organisational affiliation, fall under the protection of the rulings MTS has with the FWA and the ATO. Apprentices can shift states without concern for either taxation or industrial relations ramifications. 9. National Apprentice Graduation MTS will invite all apprentices to the National Graduation and present all graduating apprentices with a gift and a completion certificate. 10 Strength in Numbers If MTS acts as the apprentice training peak body in Australia then we will have strength in numbers. Should anyone legally challenge the legitimacy of apprentices (as the Federal School Chaplain Program was challenged in the High Court in 2011) then we will be united in our response to any such challenge as we lobby and liaise with government authorities. 14

15 OBLIGATIONS MTS TRAINERS AND APPRENTICES MTS is keen to grow the number of apprentices and also the quality of apprentice training in Australia and abroad. MTS has developed an MTS Apprentice Curriculum which has both compulsory and elective elements. It is a flexible curriculum that can be adapted to the apprentice context. All MTS Apprentices have, at their heart, the assumption that the trainer will invest deeply into the life of their apprentice. We expect trainers to not just minister to their apprentice, but to minister with their apprentice. The Biblical paradigm for ministry training appears to be spiritual parenthood growing children of faith (1 Tim 1:2). Therefore MTS wants to eradicate any incidents of cheap labour. MTS Trainers must adhere to the following: Care, guide, teach and walk beside your apprentice through all stages of their spiritual journey. Provide feedback, encouragement and correction to your apprentice. Train apprentices in accordance with an MTS Apprentice approved curriculum. Meet with apprentice at the frequency agreed upon and for the period of time agreed upon. Develop detailed Ministry Development Plans for the apprentice every six months. Attend the MTS Training Days and events as required. MTS TRAINING CENTRES The MTS Training Centre is the church or the organisation where the ministry apprenticeship takes place. The Training Centre needs to provide the apprentice with a trainer for the duration of the apprenticeship, and is responsible for officially employing the MTS Apprentice as a member of staff and paying the MTS Apprentice their stipend. In order to comply with MTS guidelines and government bodies, the training centre must adhere to several regulations. The training centre must: Be registered as a religious organisation. Comply with Fair Work Australia regulations in relation to rates of pay and the minimum terms and conditions set out in the National Employment Standards. Officially recognise the apprentice as having authority in matters of religious practice. Publicly commission the apprentice in a ceremony recognising the apprentice as a person qualified to teach, lead and minister. 15

16 HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:14 All apprentices are expected to be paid whilst they are completing their apprenticeship. In the table below, we have tried to make understanding the finance side of things as simple as possible. Item Ministry Experience (paid) Ministry Experience (volunteer) Theological Study (minimum) Employer Expense FWA Minimum Wage 1 MTS Apprentice MTS Curriculum 2 MTS Hybrid (No Austudy) MTS Hybrid (Austudy) 3.5 days 3.5 days 1.0 days 1.0 days 1.5 days days 1.5 days 1.5 days 2.5 days 2.5 days Stipend 4 $31,533 $21,277 $21,277 $21,277 Superannuation Guarantee 5 $2,838 $1,915 $1,915 $1,915 Workers Comp 6 $162 $162 $162 $162 MTS Registration 7 $550 $550 $550 $550 Total Expenses $35,083 $23,904 $23,904 $23,904 Income available AUSTUDY/ YOUTH ALLOWANCE No No No $10,400 8 Rent Assistance No No No $3,100 9 Fee Help Available No No No Total Income $0 $0 $0 $13,500 9 Employer Net Cost $35,083 $23,904 $23,904 $10, Fair Work Australia Minimum Wage option based on FWA minimum wage of $ as determined in June 2012 ($31,533). Next review: June Fair Work Australia compliant. 3. FWA Minimum Wage apprentices are paid for these 1.5 days. This figure represents the time they will need to allocate completing the MTS Curriculum. 4. The MTS Stipend calculation is pegged to the Anglican Diocese of Sydney Guidelines for Remuneration of Parish Ministry Staff 2013 stipend for a 1st year Youth and Children s Minister with a Diploma qualification. This stipend is multiplied by 0.8 (to recognise training stipend) and is then multiplied by 3.5/5 because the MTS Apprentice works 3.5 days out of 5, and is being trained 1.5 days of 5. Stipend details here Rate = 9% 6. Estimate only. Organisations/churches are advised to seek the advice of your organisation or church s insurer. 7. Note the GST amount ($50) should be reclaimed from the Australian Taxation Ofice (ATO) on your organisation s BAS. Nett cost for your organisation/church is $ AUSTUDY information here 9. Government assistance varies with each person s individual circumstances e.g. a single person, without children earning less than $400 per fortnight can receive a maximum AUSTUDY allowance of $10, per year plus Rent Assistance of $3, which adds to a total maximum Government benefit of $13, per year. If however a person earns over $400 per fortnight they may have their AUSTUDY allowance reduced. Please consult the website link under footnote 8 above, because AUSTUDY is means-tested. 16

17 MTS HYBRID: WHERE CAN I STUDY? The MTS Hybrid apprenticeship lets you choose where you study and which college you study with. You can select a college from the seven theological educational service providers MTS partners with. To make this choice easier for you, we have listed details of each college and course in the table below. Theological Education Service Providers Provider Award Level Accredited? Recognition FEE HELP Pathway to further study? AUSTUDY? Mode of delivery SUITABILITY MOORE MTS (Blue Collar) PTC Degree Masters PhD Certificate IV Diploma Advanced Diploma Diploma Degree Masters Higher Education sector, self accrediting VET sector ACOM Higher Education sector under ACT At degree level or higher denominationally recognised ordination pathway credit towards degree Ministry worker in local church tbc At degree level or higher denominationally recognised ordination pathway completion of degree, articulation to Masters (First year only) Part time Face to Face Face to face Part time Face to face Those looking to go onto further studies e.g minister, AFES staff worker, Missionary Youth minister assistant, TAFE ministry, Children s Women s worker, Missionary Those looking to go onto further studies e.g minister, AFES staff worker, missionary RTC Diploma Degree Masters Certificate IV Higher Education sector under ACT VET sector ACOM Assistant minister denominationally recognise to degree at ACT colleges Ministry worker in local church tbc (First year only) Part time Face to face Part time Full time Face to face Youth minister assistant, AFES worker, Children s worker, Women s worker, Missionary SMBC Diploma Degree Masters Higher Education sector under ACT At degree level or higher denominationally recognised ordination pathway completion of degree, articulation to Masters Part time Face to face Those looking to go onto further studies e.g minister, AFES staff worker, Missionary Timothy Partnership Diploma Higher Education sector under ACT Assistant minister denominationally recognise to degree at ACT colleges Distance Online Youth minister assistant, AFES worker, Children s worker, Women s worker, Missionary ACOM = Australian College of Ministries SMBC = Sydney Missionary and Bible College PTC = Presbyterian Theological Centre ACT = Australian College of Theology MOORE = Moore Theological College MTS = Ministry Training Strategy RTC = Reformed Theological College All study options provide at least 2.5 days ministry experience in a local church. All study options provide at least 2.5 days ministry experience in a local church. 17

18 STEP 2. READ & DISCUSS The MTS Trainer and Apprentice should do two things together in Step Read and discuss Passing the Baton. 2. Work through All For The Kingdom together. 18

19 MTS SUPPORTING MATERIAL PASSING THE BATON BY COLIN MARSHALL In this guide for both apprentices and trainers, Col Marshall outlines the biblical basis behind ministry apprenticeships, the essence of what a ministry apprenticeship is about, and some of the resources for making ministry apprenticeships happen. He provides plenty of detail about what is involved in setting up and maintaining an apprenticeship as a trainer, or participating in one as an apprentice. ALL FOR THE KINGDOM BY BEN PFAHLERT & KATIE OMROD This book is a very practical and realistic tool for those that the Holy Spirit is prompting to pursue full time gospel ministry. I pray that God may use it to raise up thousands of 21st century John Newtons. A prayer that I know is shared by those who were involved in putting together this project. Cristobal Ceron Pi, General Coordinator, Gimnasio (MTS), Chile FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS If an apprentice is being paid the FWA Minimum Wage, why do they still need to pay $500 to register with MTS? Apprentices employed under the conditions of MTS Pathways are immediately declared to be Religious Practitioners therefore allowing them to receive Tax Free Fringe Benefits. Many ministries assume that they have Religious Practitioner status and don t. How does remuneration work for part-time apprentices? Part-time apprentices should be paid a pro-rata package. In order to receive the protections of MTS Pathways part-time apprentices still need to register with MTS. MTS Pathways Registration is a flat fee of $500 per apprentice, per year irrespective of full-time or part-time status. 19

20 Contact Details Phone Address Level 1, 420 Forest Road, Hurstville NSW 2220 Website