British Union Conference (BUC) interns and their supervisors gathered at Newbold College from 20-23 September for three days of focused learning, conversation, fellowship and reflection on the work of pastoral ministry. The Internship Symposium was organised by the BUC Ministerial Association department in collaboration with their regional counterparts.
Meeting in Keough House, the event brought together interns, experienced pastors, departmental leaders and ministerial directors for a programme built around the many dimensions of pastoral life. From spiritual formation and disciple-making to stewardship, administration, worship and preaching, the sessions encouraged interns to think carefully about the kind of pastors they are becoming.
The symposium opened on Sunday evening with registration, dinner and fellowship before moving into a full programme on Monday morning. Adriana Fodor, the newly elected Executive Secretary of the Welsh Mission, began the teaching sessions with ‘The Pastor’s Spiritual Formation’, followed by John Francis, Family Ministries Director (BUC) on ‘The Pastor as Shepherd’ and Michael Mbui on ‘The Pastor as Disciple Maker’.
Wilson Lagos, South England Conference (SEC) Ministerial Association Secretary, led the afternoon feedback session. These sessions revealed the talent and inspiration in the room, and it was clear that the BUC is blessed with the calibre of its workforce.
Tuesday continued the theme of developing a rounded understanding of ministry. Jimmy Botha, Stewardship Director (BUC) presented ‘The Pastor as Steward’, Mario Phillip explored ‘The Pastor as Priest’, and Adam Keough, President of the Irish Mission addressed ‘The Pastor as Administrator’. BUC Ministerial Association Secretary Todd Frias brought the day’s formal sessions together through a time of feedback and discussion.
One of the strongest features was the level of participation in the room. Presentations often turned into lively discussions, with interns asking thoughtful, practical questions about ministry. The supervisors who attended added another dimension to the learning. Their experience, observations and advice meant wisdom was shared from across the room rather than coming only from the front.
These conversations reflected one of the central purposes of internship itself. Pastoral ministry is learned through study and reflection, but also through experience, mentoring and the willingness to listen to those who have walked the road before.
The final morning turned attention to two areas at the heart of congregational ministry. James Shepley spoke on ‘The Pastor as Worship Leader’, followed by Jonathan Holder on ‘The Pastor as Preacher’. David Neal, Ministerial Association Secretary, Trans-European Division concluded the symposium with ‘The Charge’, bringing the three days of training to a close before lunch.
Devotional periods, shared meals, social activities and informal conversations also gave participants space to build relationships beyond the formal programme. Those moments proved important in a gathering where learning happened as much through conversation as through presentations.
The symposium offered interns an opportunity to examine pastoral ministry from several angles, from the pastor’s own spiritual life to the practical responsibilities of leadership, discipleship, stewardship and proclamation. More importantly, the discussions showed a group willing to learn, question and grow together.
One attendee, who reflected on the three days said, “The importance of reflective training cannot be overstated. We are all apprentices in the workplace of God. The humble generosity of the supervisors in the Union was reflected in the calibre of the interns during our time together.”
For the BUC, investing in interns means investing in the future of pastoral ministry. The three days at Newbold College gave these developing ministers time, space and experienced voices to help shape the pastors they are becoming.