BUC interns and their mentors gathered at Newbold College from 20 to 23 September for three days of focused learning, conversation, fellowship and reflection on the work of pastoral ministry.
Meeting in Keough House, the BUC Ministerial Association brought together interns, experienced pastors, departmental leaders and ministerial secretaries 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 training program opened on Sunday evening with registration, dinner and fellowship before moving into a full programme on Monday morning. Adriana Fodor began the teaching sessions with “The Pastor’s Spiritual Formation”, followed by John Francis on “The Pastor as Shepherd” and Michael Mbui on “The Pastor as Disciple Maker”. Wilson Lagos, SEC Ministerial Secretary, led the afternoon feedback session. These feedback and question sessions revealed the talent and inspiration in the room, and it was clear that the British Union is blessed with the calibre of its workforce.
Tuesday continued the theme of developing a rounded understanding of ministry. Jimmy Botha presented “The Pastor as Steward”, Mario Phillip explored “The Pastor as Priest”, and Adam Keough addressed “The Pastor as Administrator”. BUC Ministerial Secretary Todd Frias brought the day’s formal sessions together through a time of feedback and discussion.
One of the symposium's 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 mentors and senior pastors in the room 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 presenters..
Those 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”.
Each morning started with very inspirational and thought provoking messages from Newbold Church Youth Pastor, Pavle Trakovski, then with Welsh Mission President, Jeremy Johnson and lastly by TED Ministerial Secretary David Neal who also concluded the three days training with “The Charge”, bringing 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.
This year’s training program 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.
For the BUC, investing in interns means investing in the future of pastoral ministry. The three days at Newbold gave these developing ministers time, space and experienced voices to help shape the pastors they are becoming.