Is God leading you into creating new expressions of church?
ABOUT THE FORGE PIONEER COURSE
The Forge Pioneer Course is a spiritual formation and training process for those who sense that God might be leading them into creating new expressions of church. Through a combination of mentoring huddles, training weekends, in context experience and individual learning and reflection, our aim is to prepare people to launch into what God is calling them to do.
The purpose of the Pioneer Course is to validate the pioneering spirit, creating a beachhead for making Kingdom ground and championing a voice for change in church as we know it.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
We are looking for people who are maturing Christians; those thinking they may be called to pioneering new expressions of church, who are able to set aside this ‘season’ for a period of investment.
Entry to the Forge Pioneer Course is not based on academic ability but rather on calling, gifting and potential. We are looking for evidence of a relationship with God, and a growing and outward expression of faith which is maturing and bearing fruit. Each person must be able to commit to all the training, mentoring and an agreed level of ministry placement for at least a year. They must be willing to serve, be teachable, self-supporting and self-motivated. We are looking for people who are willing to serve in a local missional context and see Forge as a means of achieving this.
We are looking for people for whom this information whets their appetite and who feel the Holy Spirit stirring them to pursue this further!
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
We are looking for people who are maturing Christians; those thinking they may be called to pioneering new expressions of church, who are able to set aside this ‘season’ for a period of investment.
Entry to the Forge pioneer course is not based on academic ability but rather on calling, gifting and potential. We are looking for evidence of a relationship with God, and a growing and outward expression of faith which is maturing and bearing fruit. Each person must be able to commit to all the training, mentoring and an agreed level of ministry placement for at least a year. They must be willing to serve, be teachable, self-supporting and self-motivated. We are looking for people who are willing to serve in a local church context and see Forge as a means of achieving this.
We are looking for people for whom this information whets their appetite and who feel the Holy Spirit stirring them to pursue this further!
PIONEER TRAINING
WHAT’S IT ABOUT
- Validating the pioneering spirit.
- Birthing new Kingdom enterprises and ecclesial communities through prayer.
- Creating a beachhead for making Kingdom ground.
- Championing a voice for change in church as we know it.
WHY IS IT NEEDED?
- To reach the non-churched we must ‘stop starting with church’ and come outside the circle and re-imagine church – Bob Hopkins
- “God is already meeting people wherever they are. Our calling is to join Him.” – Peter Neilson
WHAT DOES IT DO?
- Explores the questions raised by church, culture & Kingdom.
- Fosters relationships between like-minded, Kingdom-seeking trail-blazers and connects them with others on the same journey.
- Provides wisdom and experience for Pioneers through mentoring.
WHO IS IT FOR?
- Pioneers who are stirred, motivated and inspired by a love for God and a love for people.
Mentoring Huddle
The foundation to the spiritual formation process, where participants have opportunity to prayerfully engage with questions of character and skills essential for pioneering twice a month.
Weekend Training
Experiential teaching sessions and visits to missional projects form the basis of the weekends, with opportunities to learn collaboratively, pray and develop relationship with other pioneers.
TRAINING
Where the teaching element and personal development sessions are covered and visits are made to missional communities, projects and church plants for case studies.
PLACEMENT
Every participant has an agreed missional context where there is opportunity to reflect upon learning and initiate missional practise.
Each participant receives mentoring from a missional practitioner who has current or recent experience in missional practise or church planting.
Here they will have the opportunity to reflect on their context, look at how their perspective on the future is developing and ask the questions which will arise.
There is also a trained counsellor available to support each student during the course.
TRAINING
Where the teaching element and personal development sessions are covered and visits are made to missional communities, projects and church plants for case studies.
PLACEMENT
Every participant has an agreed missional context where there is opportunity to reflect upon learning and initiate missional practise.
Each participant receives mentoring from a missional practitioner who has current or recent experience in missional practise or church planting.
Here they will have the opportunity to reflect on their context, look at how their perspective on the future is developing and ask the questions which will arise.
There is also a trained counsellor available to support each student during the course.
PERSONAL STUDY
It is expected that each participant will put in a minimum of 3 hours per week of personal study and reflection, gathering work and information for their Portfolio.
PORTFOLIO
Each participant is expected to gather a body of work and information from the teaching sessions, assignments, their own study, reflection and from investigative trips to be a resource for the future.
MISSIONAL CONTEXT
This is clarified and agreed with each participant at the start of the course. It is expected that a minimum of 3 hours a week spent engaging in this, but most students do more according to their availability.
PERSONAL STUDY
It is expected that each participant put in a minimum of 3 hours per week in personal study and reflection, engaging with the resources shared and tasks assigned.
PORTFOLIO
Each participant is expected to gather a body of work and learning from the weekends, personal study and assigned tasks, reflection and from investigative trips to be a resource for the future.
Prayer
We fundamentally believe that all new missional ventures need to be birthed in prayer. To this end, we expect all participants to be seeking to develop richer prayer life and practises throughout the Course.
PERSONAL STUDY
It is expected that each participant will put in a minimum of 3 hours per week of personal study and reflection, gathering work and information for their Portfolio.
PORTFOLIO
Each participant is expected to gather a body of work and information from the teaching sessions, assignments, their own study, reflection and from investigative trips to be a resource for the future.
MISSIONAL CONTEXT
This is clarified and agreed with each participant at the start of the course. It is expected that a minimum of 3 hours a week spent engaging in this, but most students do more according to their availability.
COURSE DATES
The residential teaching element of the course comprises of 5 weekends – attendance at all of these is required. For the 2023-2024 Course Programme, dates will be as follows “provisional”:
Weekend 1 (Induction Weekend): 15th-17th Sep 2023 (Residential induction weekend, Glasgow)
Weekend 2: 3rd – 5th Nov 2023
Weekend 3: 19th – 20th Jan 2024 (Online)
Weekend 4: 15th – 17th Mar 2024
Weekend 5: 10th – 12th May 2024
Graduation: 8th June 2024
Applications will be closed the 31st of August 2023 – please get in touch.
WHAT WILL IT COST?
Participants are asked to contribute a total of £1,500 towards the cost of running the Forge Course. We encourage each student to raise some of this from any supporting church / denomination, some from personal supports and some from the participant as a sign of their ownership of the process.
This cost can be paid over the year in agreed instalments if preferred.
Accommodation during the Induction Weekend is included, but not for the other teaching weekends. Travel to and from the training events are also not included in the above cost.
ENDORSEMENTS
“I love how partnership speaks of unity and the Kingdom of God and I’m delighted that DNA is in partnership with Forge. We have had trainees do the Forge year as part of their second year programme with us. The teaching is focused and excellent. We need together to raise up new leaders for a new generation of church planting in Scotland that explores a new approach to church and mission. I am convinced that under God Forge and DNA might play a part in this exciting challenge and I commend them to you.“
“Attending the Forge Scotland Pioneer course was one of the most significant periods in my discipleship journey. A unique opportunity to discover how you can participate more effectively in the plans God has for you.
The Forge Scotland Pioneer course is an intense period of teaching, thinking, challenge, encouragement, mentoring, spirituality and discipleship thanks to a team with diverse gifts and approaches but who are all passionate about the Kingdom and how we can serve it better.”
“I love how partnership speaks of unity and the Kingdom of God and I’m delighted that DNA is in partnership with Forge. We have had trainees do the Forge year as part of their second year programme with us. The teaching is focused and excellent. We need together to raise up new leaders for a new generation of church planting in Scotland that explores a new approach to church and mission. I am convinced that under God Forge and DNA might play a part in this exciting challenge and I commend them to you.“
“Attending the Forge Scotland Pioneer course was one of the most significant periods in my discipleship journey. A unique opportunity to discover how you can participate more effectively in the plans God has for you.
The Forge Scotland Pioneer course is an intense period of teaching, thinking, challenge, encouragement, mentoring, spirituality and discipleship thanks to a team with diverse gifts and approaches but who are all passionate about the Kingdom and how we can serve it better.”
FORGE INTERNSHIPS
Forge Scotland offers the opportunity to come and spend a full year interning in a church planting context.
This year has the Forge Course at the core of it, with all its elements. In addition, there would be other training and ministry elements offered.
The internship is an opportunity to come and learn how to lead and pioneer in a missional context. Much of what will be done is through close interaction with the key leaders in the internship context. Each internship will be bespoke, depending on both the context and the individual’s experience. An internship agreement will be drawn up in conversation with the individual and the key leaders before the year begins.
The cost of a Forge Internship will be £3000, which will include the Forge Course fees, and other training fees as agreed. The intern will be responsible for their own accommodation, travel and living expenses. It is possible that the internship can work round a part-time job if that is helpful.
For further information about the Forge Internship, or to apply, please email admin@forgescotland.com or access the contact form via the menu above.
FORGE SUPPORt NETWORK
This is designed to follow on from the Pioneer Course, and enable new missional projects, communities and church plants to launch well.
We have learnt over the years, that a wider network of pioneers who understand the joys and challenges of pioneering, coaches who can cheer you on and bring wisdom and challenge, and a space to intentionally withdraw, reflect and plan are all essential elements to gaining traction with new initiatives.
The Forge Support Network is likely to include (though there may be some local variation due to context):
- monthly team meetings
- coaching of the team leader
- access to the bi-annual Community of Practise
The cost of this will be £50/month for each team, plus £25/team member to attend the Community of Practise.
These new Coaching Hubs will be in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee. Places for this are limited, so if you are interested, please email info@forgescotland.com or use the contact form on this website.
Also look out for the Forge Annual Gathering – an opportunity to meet together with the wider Forge family and be inspired and encouraged.
This is designed to follow on from the Pioneer Course, and enable new missional projects, communities and church plants to launch well.
We have learnt over the years, that a wider network of pioneers who understand the joys and challenges of pioneering, coaches who can cheer you on and bring wisdom and challenge, and a space to intentionally withdraw, reflect and plan are all essential elements to gaining traction with new initiatives.
The Forge Support Network is likely to include (though there may be some local variation due to context):
- monthly team meetings
- coaching of the team leader
- access to the bi-annual Community of Practise
The cost of this will be £50/month for each team, plus £25/team member to attend the Community of Practise.
These new Coaching Hubs will be in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee. Places for this are limited, so if you are interested, please email info@forgescotland.com or use the contact form on this website.
Also look out for the Forge Annual Gathering – an opportunity to meet together with the wider Forge family and be inspired and encouraged.
PARTNERS
