MTS / MAP At BCPC
Training The Next Generation Of Pastors
What is the MTS / MAP?
The Ministry Training Strategy (MTS) or the Ministry Apprentice Program (MAP) is a 2 year 'hands on' apprenticeship program in churches.It is on-the-job leadership and ministry training based on prayer, Bible study and practical ministry. The 2 years provides enough time to establish ministries and learn from success and failure.
The essence of MTS is not formal instruction but learning through active participation in leadership, evangelism, Bible teaching, pastoral care and church planting. At the heart of MTS is a commitment to train the next generation of gospel workers who will take the gospel beyond the walls of the church.
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How is MTS / MAP run at BCPC? The focus of the training at BCPC is on developing leadership and ministry of the Word and prayer while working full-time with an experienced trainer who can model and teach them. Trainees spend time working on their personal growth in leadership, developing their Bible teaching skills, being involved in personal discipleship and evangelism, and training others in a variety of contexts. The two year apprenticeship aims to develop the trainee in 8 areas:
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MTS training at BCPC is developed with the individual trainees to personally meet their needs in ministry to help them grow in areas of weakness and excel in areas of strength.
What happens after the 2 years on MTS / MAP?
MTS / MAP is not an alternative to formal theological education but rather prepares and complements Bible college. MTS becomes a filter through which theological study is viewed, placing study in the proper context of church leadership, pastoral care and evangelism. After two years of ministry, lots of exegetical and theological issues have been raised and the Trainees are eager for rigorous study.
How much does each apprenticeship cost?
Each apprenticeship cost $16,000 a year which goes towards the living expenses of the trainee on the MTS / MAP program. MTS depends entirely on the financial support and generosity of our congregation.
Why support MTS / MAP
1 Peter 1:24-25 reminds us that all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.A word that was preached to you, a gospel that saved you. A reminder to us that life is transient and that nothing lasts forever except the gospel that has saved us. MTS is all about passing on the word of gospel to reliable men and women who will be equipped to pass it on to others, who will teach it, defend it and pass it on to the next generation.
Supporting MTS is all about leaving a gospel legacy for the next generation, to those who will come after you, your children and their children, entrusting the ministry of the gospel to reliable men and women who will do likewise. Even more than that, supporting MTS is all about being given the privilege of sharing in the ministry of the gospel as a partner with others in bringing God's gospel to our world.
How much do we need for MTS / MAP in 2006?
We are currently committed to 2 trainees who are in their first year of the MTS / MAP program. This year we will need to raise $32,000 to support the trainees on our MTS program.
This year we are looking for 50 financial partners who would be willing to give at least $640 each to our MTS program, training potential gospel workers for long term ministry. That would amount to $12 a week for a worker.
How can I support MTS / MAP in 2006?
You can support MTS in 3 ways: as a financial partner, a prayer partner and a personal encourager to our trainees.
If you would like to be a financial partner, you can support our trainees on MTS by giving regularly to help meet the $32,000 we need in 2006. This can be done either by direct debit or cheque on a regular basis or as a once off payment.
If you would like to be a prayer partner, you can support our trainees on MTS by having a regular newsletter sent to you with Simon & Vivian's prayer points, and regularly praying for them.
If you would like to be a personal encourager, all it takes is a willingness to personally encourage our trainees on MTS by occasionally finding out how they are, howing them hospitality, and practically meeting their needs.
Previous MTS Trainees
2002-2003 David Yu
'I benefited from MTS by being exposed to different ministry experiences, seeing what "full time ministry" is really like, and being able to talk through issues with my trainer.'David Yu
David Yu is now in his second year at Moore Theological College, and is involved in ministry training at St.Andrew's Cathedral in the city. He helps run a Bible study group and teaches primary school scripture at Newtown primary school. He is hoping to work in English ministry with a Chinese church when he finishes his theological studies.
2004-2005 Simon Wong
Previously a programmer, Simon took up MTS to learn more about ministry and to see if he had the gifts for long term ministry. After going to China to learn Mandarin, Simon is looking to start his theological studies at the Presbyterian Theological Centre this year, and possibly candidacy for ordained ministry in the Presbyterian Church.
2004-2005 Vivian To
Having worked as a polymer chemist, Vivian took up MTS in 2004 to prepare herself for long term ministry. Vivian is now studying at Sydney Missionary Bible College next year with a view to working in pastoral ministry in English ministry with the Chinese church when she finishes.
2006-2007 Sharon Law
After six years in a large IT corporation, Sharon has commenced MAP to get a taste of the challenges and joys of full-time ministry.
2006-2007 Fiona So
Fiona studied psychology and law and has held various job positions. She commenced MTS to be equipped and trained up to serve God full time, with the aim of going back to Brisbane to minister to the ABCs.
What next?
If you would like to financially support our MTS / MAP trainees, direct debits can be made to
Bank: Westpac
BSB : 032-000
A/C No. : 507078
A/C Designated Name : BCPC Burwood At Five Mission Giving
Or alternatively, cheques can be made out to 'BCPC Burwood At Five Mission Giving' and passed on to Neville Fong or Ben Wong.
If you would like to receive a regular newsletter from Fi or Sharon, please let them know by emailing them at fiona.so@gracepoint.org.au and sharon.law@gracepoint.org.au
Financial Pledge Slip
To help us budget for MTS / MAP this year, we would appreciate it if you would prayerfully consider financially supporting our trainees and making a financial faith pledge to partner with us in training men and women for long term gospel ministry. The attached pledge slip should be returned to Ben Wong who looks after our MTS account. The financial pledge slip is totally anonymous and is used to gauge how much we will have to support MTS at BCPC this year.
My financial faith pledge as a partner in supporting our trainees on MTS this year will be $________