More ministers, please! 

Part two of a two-part reflection, by Tim Fergusson and Lee Johnson, Ministries Team Co-Leaders, highlights changes that could contribute to a reversal of the recent trends of a declining number of ministers

It also encourages all reading this to see themselves as part of the project to increase the numbers stepping forward to train

Across our Baptist family, we have so many fantastic people serving as ministers in churches, chaplaincy, pioneering, evangelism, children’s and youth work, and other forms of Christian ministry. We are deeply grateful for their committed service in the name of Jesus and his kingdom. 
 
But we need some more! In part one of this feature, we highlighted the decline in applications for accredited Baptist ministry. We proposed that encouraging those with a sense of calling is a shared responsibility. An awareness of a calling often begins in churches when someone recognises or affirms God’s call on another’s life – “I see in you a potential minister”. It grows when they are then nurtured locally by encouragement, coaching and opportunities for ministry experience. 
 
Then, at some point, those exploring ministry start to consider more structured preparation – internships, apprentice-style arrangements, training courses, or college programmes – whatever enables their ministerial formation. 
 

A word on ministerial formation

It’s worth explaining the phrase ministerial formation. In Romans chapter 12 Paul exhorts us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, not to conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation into a new way of being is part of discipleship. We are all undergoing spiritual formation.

It follows that for those set aside to exercise spiritual oversight to our churches and communities, becoming a minister is not a matter of learning a few skills, though skills are important. It is about being shaped, or formed into someone who intuitively acts, leads, serves, speaks, prays and thinks more like Jesus. (For more, see the Marks of Ministry.) 
 

How might we help more people to start on this journey?  

Those who engage closely with the challenge of the declining number of ministers agree there are no simple solutions. But we are convinced there are changes that could contribute to a reversal of these recent trends.

So, we recently established a working group to imagine and implement ways of supporting those considering ministerial formation. The group’s approach is bottom up, looking at how we open up and improve our pathways into ministerial formation.

Here are the key areas of focus:
 

Exploring
We are revising our website and our guidance documents to clarify training routes. To support this, we are planning some national ‘Discovering Ministry’ events for enquirers, to supplement any that are already run regionally. Some of these will be online, but we are starting with a Discovering Ministry event at Baptist Assembly 2026 in Harrogate, on Friday 15 May. 
 

Mentoring
Some people exploring a calling are ably supported by their minister. But not all churches have a minister. We’d love to offer a mentor to anyone wondering whether Baptist ministry is for them – to help them discern a call, gain a vision for ministry and identify what experience they might usefully pursue straightaway.  
 

Welcoming
We want to make accreditation pathways more visible and accessible to those with previous theological training and ministry experience, whether gained in a different tradition in the UK or in another country. These pathways already exist, but they are not apparent. We want our message to be: 'Come and talk to us! We will develop for you a bespoke route.'
 

Beginning
Formational training that begins at an early stage in people’s journey is so important. A few years ago, we revised our local leader training. It aims to equip and form local leaders of all types – whether volunteer pastors, worship leaders, preachers, homegroup leaders, community chaplains, local evangelists, children’s team members, and more – some of whom become Recognised Local Ministers. (For more, see www.baptist.org.uk/rlm.)

We have started to see fruit as the first cohort recently completed the course. They have gained confidence in tackling theology. They’ve learned the benefits of reflective practice. They have been equipped for their ministry tasks. And they have gained a set of supportive relationships with one another and those who have taught them. Our next step is to make this training available across all of Baptists Together.
 

Deepening
After local leaders have undergone the foundational training in theological reflection and ministry skills, some progress to a college programme that leads to accreditation. But for many, their calling remains to serve the local setting. For such leaders, we plan to create ongoing learning communities where RLMs and others can continue to learn from experienced ministers and theological thinkers. 
 

Supervising
Many potential trainees have voiced a preference for an apprenticeship model, learning alongside experienced ministers. However, many trainees are learning ministry in settings where there is no experienced minister. So, we are considering how we could make sure all trainees have access to quality supervision from experienced practitioners.  
 

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There is much work ahead and a collective effort is required! We would love all those reading this to see themselves as part of this project to increase the numbers stepping forward to train.
 
So, may we ask:

• Will you join us in praying? 
• Could you prompt a person to think about how God wants them to serve? 
• Can you help by consciously nurturing emerging leaders? 
• Are you, perhaps, considering God’s call on your own life…?   

 

Image | Newly Accredited Ministers and lay preachers are commissioned and prayed for at the 2025 Baptist Assembly in West Bromwich 

 

 Tim Fergusson and Lee Johnson are co-leaders of the Ministries Team

 

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Do you have a view? Share your thoughts to the Ministries Team here

 

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