About The Course
Our team of Baptist tutors work with you to determine the most appropriate pathway, and the shape of your formation, reflecting the nature of that call.
A placement arranged in partnership with your regional Baptist Association to best reflect your own calling and formation needs. Placements can be in settings relevant to you, such as through church planting, chaplaincy, pioneering, and your local church.
- This placement will be appropriate to your pathway.
- Full-time: 20 hours a week
- Part-time: 10 hours a week
- For some students, a minor 8-10 week placement may be recommended to broaden experience.
A Durham University accredited qualification in Theology, Ministry and Mission:
- A full-time or part-time, online or onsite undergraduate or postgraduate qualification with a focus on Theology and Practice, Community Work and Pioneering, or Children, Youth and Families.
- A part-time PhD is also available, with audit of undergraduate and postgraduate modules as needed.
Baptist History and Principles Weekend:
- Required for all pathways.
- Completed during the second year of Formation.
- Assignments tailored to the ministry and academic pathway being followed.
For those on Accredited, Alternative, and Open Tracks to Ministry, Baptist Formation at Luther King also include:
Residential Formation Weekends
- Autumn and Spring residentials held at our site in Manchester
- A three-year rolling programme, focusing on the Marks of Ministry, to help you develop character, competence, and confidence in ministry.
- These weekends are shared with URC and Moravian ministerial students, providing a rich ecumenical experience.
Annual Retreat
- A three-day residential retreat in the Summer at a Retreat Centre.
- Providing a space for refreshment & (re)connection with God in a ‘light touch’ non-silent retreat setting.
Prior to, or within the first few weeks of starting at college, you will need to complete levels 2 and 3 of the Baptist Union Safeguarding training and a DBS check through your regional Baptist Association.
Overview
Baptist ministerial formation for those who are called by God but are unable to pursue national accreditation by the Baptist Union of Great Britain.
Learning and Duration
Those admitted to our alternative formation track will undergo formation alongside others who are seeking national accreditation. The alternative formation pathway will be of the same standard and will comprise the same elements as nationally accredited ministry.
Formation for full-time ministers in training is usually three years. For those undertaking part-time study, this can extend to four years.
Outcomes
After successful completion of this stage of ministerial formation, students will have been trained to the same standard as those seeking national accreditation. While they will be unable to enter the formal Baptist Union settlement process they will be commended by the college to the churches of our union as suitably equipped to serve as pastors, pioneers, chaplains etc.
Overview
In some circumstances, we accept people who have not yet fully discerned a call to one of the ministry tracks. Typically, we would require a commendation from your local congregation or ministry context.
Learning and Duration
Enrolling on this track will allow you to begin the formation process in the same way as those on the Nationally Accredited and Alternative Tracks.
The open track will usually last no more than 2 years, to give you time to explore your call.
Outcomes
By the end of Year 2, at the latest, you will need to have discerned which path you are following, at which point we will guide you to the next stage of your journey as a Baptist at Luther King Theological College.
Overview
Recognised Local Ministry is a route to recognition by the Baptist Union of Great Britain within their own ‘local’ ministry or setting. A Recognised Local Minister (RLM) is someone who:
- can articulate a sense of calling to their local setting where they minister;
- has gained a foundational introduction to theology and the practice of ministry;
- has undergone a measure of testing and formation of their character and calling so that they exhibit the Marks of Ministry;
- connects with the wider Baptist movement, mostly through their regional association.
Learning and Duration
Working over a two-year period, RLM trainees study the Bible, Christian belief, mission, pastoral leadership, Baptist principles and more. More specialised training modules can be included, and prior learning can sometimes be taken into account.
RLM trainees receive mentoring during their training period and join a spiritual formation group where they can reflect on what God is calling them to become, and upon their practice.
Outcomes
RLM trainees are asked constantly to apply their learning to their own situation. To this end, all trainees have a defined ministry or missional role in a Baptist context. Most start training when they are already in a church or mission role, but others are helped by their regional association to find a suitable placement.
We recognise just how demanding ministerial formation is, and so we use a three-stranded model of support.
Personal Tutor
Your personal tutor will either be a member of staff or a trusted, experienced Baptist minister who will:
- Meet with you regularly to reflect on anything arising from your placement or studies, and to pray with and for you.
- Visit you in your placement at least once, each year
- Act as a link to your placement Support Group, and will work with them to prepare a report ahead of your annual review.
Formational Tutor Group
A regular meeting (onsite or online) with other Ministers in Training to:
Reflect on placement experience and academic learning
To share input, either requested by the group or recommended by the college.
Support Group
This is a group of people in your placement context whose role is to provide a space for you to reflect on how things are going, to test out ideas or to seek advice.
The Convener makes sure that you meet regularly (typically twice a term) and acts as a link person to both the placement and the college.
The group is there to advocate for you, in your placement.
The group meets with you and your tutor to create your annual report.
Supervisory Minister
In some circumstances such as in a Team Ministry or larger church you may have a supervisory or lead minister/youth worker. The supervisory minister will also have contact with the tutor and will give feedback in terms of setting learning objectives and when preparing the end of your report for your review.
Academic Learning Support
We have a lot of experience of working with students who need additional support to access academic study. Our approach to teaching and learning seeks to be flexible and adaptable, including the offer of study skills sessions, tutorial support and, where appropriate, alternative forms of assessment. Learn mroe about how we can support you.
Useful Information
Discover what enrolling with Luther King will look like for you.
Information regarding government, denominational, and college financial support for you.
Learn more about our partners and what can be gained from study at Luther King
Individual challenges should not be a challenge to learning. We strive to support everybody in every way. Learn about how we help neurodiverse and/or disabled students, and anyone with additional learning needs.
Fees
To enrol on this course, you will be required to pay the usual academic fees for your chosen academic programme. More details on fees can be found here or on the relevant course page.
You will also pay Formation fees, which supports residential costs, teaching, retreats, and resources.
| Year of Study | Cost |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 | £4,154 |
We seek to keep costs as low as possible, and work closely with students to access bursaries and grants where appropriate. Please contact Registry at learning@lutherking.ac.uk for up to date information.
Next Steps
Wherever you are on your journey of discernment, we would love to have a conversation with you about Formation for Baptist Ministry at Luther King Theological College.
We suggest that you contact our Baptist Tutor for Ministerial Formation, Catriona Gorton (pr. Catrina; pronouns she/her) ] to arrange a conversation (phone or Zoom) or a visit to Luther King to find out more and to ask any questions. She will be able to explain the process for those seeking commendation to each of the pathways we offer.
Please be aware that application for Baptist Formation includes a number of steps:
- commendation by your local Baptist church
- interview and commendation by your regional Baptist Association
- a rigorous (but usually fun) interview process which usually takes place in the spring prior to the September in which formation begins. As part of this process an appropriate academic pathway will be identified for you.
Please contact Catriona or your local Regional Minister for support in understanding and navigating these processes.
We also hold regular Explore your Call events for those beginning to discern a call to any kind of Baptist ministry – dates for these will be advertised on this website and through our social media.
