Recognised Local Ministers
Across Baptists Together, many people offer valuable ministry to their local church or community but find that training to be an accredited Baptist minister is either not their calling or not possible in their circumstances. Yet we want to support and recognise those who faithfully serve their church or communities in this way as pastors, pioneers, evangelists, chaplains, or children's youth or families workers. Others - young adults, especially, perhaps - are tentatively exploring a calling to ministry, but feel that their calling at this moment is to their particular location. For all of these, BU have introduced a new category of Recognised Local Minister.
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Recognised Local Minister (RLM) is someone who:
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can articulate a sense of calling to their local setting whether they minister;
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has gained a foundational introduction to theology and the practice of ministry;
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has undergone a measure of testing and formation of their character and calling so that they exhibit the Marks of Ministry;
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connects with the wider Baptist movement, mostly through their regional association.
An RLM is 'recognised' by their regional association because they have undergone a programme of training and formation set by Baptists Together. They are 'local' because their recognition is for their particular ministry and setting. And they are a 'minister' because they are entrusted by a Baptist church with the spiritual oversight of the church or the mission that emerges from it.
Significantly, an RLM does not have to be a church pastor! They may be a local chaplain or pioneer, for example, through their ministry must be connected to a Baptist church or regional association. We know that nowadays, ministry is practised in many forms and requires different skills according to context.
Training to be an RLM reflects this variety. Though much less rigorous than for accredited ministers, studying to be an RLM still covers the essential elements. Working with one of the Baptist colleges over a two-year period, RLM trainees study the Bible, Christian belief, mission, pastoral leadership, Baptist principles and more, The learning is pitched at (roughly) A-level standard. More specialised training modules can be included, and prior learning can sometimes be taken into account.
RLM trainees are asked constantly to apply their learning to their 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.
And importantly, 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.