Ministry of the Month: Blue Collar Ministry Training
- Tara Sing •
- 25 September 2014
Shining a monthly spotlight on a ministry that we thank God for.
We love seeing different ministries striving to train people in discipleship and gospel leadership, especially where this training isn’t happening often. That’s why this month we are shining the spotlight on an Australian ministry, Blue Collar Ministry Training Apprenticeships.
Pioneered by Andrew Beddoe and the Ministry Training Strategy (MTS), the Blue Collar Apprenticeship aims to provide Christian ministry training that suits those who learn best on the job. It is for Christian men and women who are practical hands on learners, who are godly with a passion to share Jesus with others and who desire a deeper understanding of the word of God.
The inspiration for training Christians in this way came from some surprising Australian statistics. In Australia only 20% of people have a university qualification, however 80% of the people in churches are not blue collar workers. If the evangelical church in Australia is going to reach the community, it is vital for there to be both Blue Collar and White Collar people doing church together and trained in ministry.
Since 2011, there have been a number of people trained in both a full time and part time capacity for Blue Collar Ministry. Full time training is done on the job and is a combination of working alongside a church pastor and learning by observing and trying, and attending class once a week. A part time night course for blue collar workers offers training for those who are still in their full-time jobs.
The end goal is to see blue collar Christians equipped to teach the gospel to others, with the hope that one day evangelical churches in Australia would reach the majority of the country who currently don’t know Christ.
The exciting thing about this ministry for us is seeing people equipped for ministry in a way that is suited to them, in a way that hasn't happened previously. I have been fortunate to see some of the direct fruits of this ministry - men and women who are now leading Sunday school, meeting up to pray with others and teaching the Bible. Men and women who may not have had the confidence previously to do these things. We are thankful for people like Andrew Beddoe who think creatively about how we can teach all people the gospel, and teach them to teach others.
To find out more, visit their web site: www.mts.com.au/blue-collar
We love seeing different ministries striving to train people in discipleship and gospel leadership, especially where this training isn’t happening often. That’s why this month we are shining the spotlight on an Australian ministry, Blue Collar Ministry Training Apprenticeships.
Pioneered by Andrew Beddoe and the Ministry Training Strategy (MTS), the Blue Collar Apprenticeship aims to provide Christian ministry training that suits those who learn best on the job. It is for Christian men and women who are practical hands on learners, who are godly with a passion to share Jesus with others and who desire a deeper understanding of the word of God.
The inspiration for training Christians in this way came from some surprising Australian statistics. In Australia only 20% of people have a university qualification, however 80% of the people in churches are not blue collar workers. If the evangelical church in Australia is going to reach the community, it is vital for there to be both Blue Collar and White Collar people doing church together and trained in ministry.
Since 2011, there have been a number of people trained in both a full time and part time capacity for Blue Collar Ministry. Full time training is done on the job and is a combination of working alongside a church pastor and learning by observing and trying, and attending class once a week. A part time night course for blue collar workers offers training for those who are still in their full-time jobs.
The end goal is to see blue collar Christians equipped to teach the gospel to others, with the hope that one day evangelical churches in Australia would reach the majority of the country who currently don’t know Christ.
The exciting thing about this ministry for us is seeing people equipped for ministry in a way that is suited to them, in a way that hasn't happened previously. I have been fortunate to see some of the direct fruits of this ministry - men and women who are now leading Sunday school, meeting up to pray with others and teaching the Bible. Men and women who may not have had the confidence previously to do these things. We are thankful for people like Andrew Beddoe who think creatively about how we can teach all people the gospel, and teach them to teach others.
To find out more, visit their web site: www.mts.com.au/blue-collar
Tara Sing and her husband Soong both serve at St Barnabas Bossley Park, in Sydney Australia. She loves spending time with people, eating, organizing things, and enjoying the sunshine.
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