The Mississippi Baptist Church Renewal Network Apprenticeship Program is designed to help individuals explore their vocational calling, be equipped for pastoral ministry, be exposed to church planting and revitalization, and engage in missional living. The apprenticeship program is a fourteen-week program that corresponds with the academic calendar of the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

Through the Church Renewal Network Apprentice Program, there are various layers of support and development for the apprentice.

THE MBCB will assist in

• coordinating the apprentice with the local supervisor, the mission strategist for the association.
• serving as the representative of the program with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
• providing the necessary documentation and grading for apprentices seeking academic credit.
• providing Ministry Safe Training and background checks on all apprentices.

The AMS will assist in

• working with the MBCB, request and secure apprentices for their association.
• working with the MBCB and apprentice’s educational institute, provide all necessary documents in the deadlines agreed upon.
• working with pastors, identify and equip them to serve as coaches for the apprenticeship   program.
• working with churches, identify and secure church renewal opportunities for the apprentice.
• working with churches, secure lodging, support, and honorarium when applicable.

The Support Church/Pastor will assist in…

• providing a healthy environment and specific tasks for the apprentice to observe and practice.
• delegating tasks to the apprentice to develop and grow both character and competency
• meeting with the apprentice weekly to process what the apprentice is learning.
• coordinating with AMS and church renewal church the apprentice’s schedule.
• completing all evaluations and documents during and after the apprenticeship is completed.

 The Church Renewal Opportunity will assist in…

• providing a healthy environment and specific tasks for the apprentice to observe and practice.
• providing the apprentice with lodging, support and an honorarium when appropriate.
• communicating with the AMS, mentoring pastor, and MBCB regarding the apprentice’s development.

The apprenticeship is open to individuals who are not serving on a church staff.

1.      To participate in the apprenticeship, a mentor must be identified for the semester. If a student has difficulty in securing a mentor, assistance from the CP/R Department can be requested.

Upon acceptance into NOBTS, each student will consult with the Dean of Graduate Studies to determine which of the hours possible will count towards his/her chosen degree. The student can receive no more than 25% of their degree using credits from this agreement. For example, an MDIV Standard student can receive up to 15 hours of transfer credit towards their 84-hour degree. An MA in Church Planting student can receive up to 12 hours of transfer credit towards their 45-hour degree.

ADDITIONAL ADVANCED STANDING GUIDELINES

The CRN Students must apply and meet the admissions requirements of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

2.      We do have a non-academic track for the apprenticeship program. This material only highlights the new partnership we have with NOBTS.

The documents that I attached to my initial email give an overall summary. However, here is the links to apply to be an apprentice and expectations. Followed by the application and expectations to host an apprentice.

Apprentice Application: Click Here

Expectations

• Apprentices will be expected to live and serve in a manner worthy of the Gospel (Phil. 1:27), by God’s grace, seeking to love God with all they are, love others sacrificially, and make joyful, passionate disciples of Jesus (Matt. 22:37-39; 28:18-20).
• Apprentices will be expected to give 8-10 hours a week to their supervised ministry, 5-8 hours a week to their homework and 7-12 hours for reading and living on mission. Each week, apprentices will be expected to attend the scheduled meetings, complete all required homework, and engage in all required ministry/mission experiences.
• Apprentices are required to complete Ministry Safe Training and submit information for a background check.

Our hope and prayer for this apprentice program is to encourage, educate, equip, and unleash individuals called to vocational ministry in their role of helping to lead revitalization in struggling and declining churches for the glory of God. Under supervision, apprentices will gain knowledge and experience in the areas of pastoral leadership, shepherding, and preaching for a church revitalization context. We are excited about the possibility of you joining us! Please contact us with any questions you might have regarding our program.

How the Local Church can Invest

Church Request to Host an Apprentice: Click Here

Qualifications for Churches Requesting an apprentice or Intern:

• Your church must be in good standing with the MBCB: This means
  • (a) agreement with the mission of the CRN
  • (b) agreement with the Baptist Faith and Message (2000)
• Your church must give to the cooperative program regularly.
• Your church has a plan for the use of this apprentice/intern. This plan must cover work for the apprentice/intern for their term of service. The CRN will contact you for additional details or clarification regarding this plan. (Note: Your church can partner with another church/churches to use these apprentices.
• Your church has a burden and vision to reach men, women, boys, and girls with the love of Christ Jesus. Your church is committed to evangelism and its practice among your congregation and your community at large.
• Your church is committed to discipleship and its practice among the believers in your congregation and others who may be visiting your church.
• Your church agrees to use the assigned apprentice/intern in a safe environment.
• Your pastor or designated church representative will attend the orientation.