Book now for our next open evening
Tuesday June 8th 2021, 6.30 to 7.30pm
Are you exploring a calling to children’s & family, youth, or sports ministry? The Ridley Lay Ministry programme offers the chance to study for a degree through manageable block teaching weeks at Ridley Hall in Cambridge, while learning on the job in a ministry context.
A student perspective
What does that mean in practice? Ridley student Mirin Niekirk is on our children’s & family ministry track. She is studying for her BA in Theology, Ministry and Mission through our six teaching weeks a year in Cambridge, and applies the learning in her ministry placement as a primary school chaplain.
We asked Mirin more about life as a Ridley Lay Ministry student.
Q: What do you do in your children’s ministry role?
I’m a student chaplain in two primary schools with children aged 4-11 years old, where I reach 630 students and 120 staff each week. I carry out pastoral care for staff and students through one-to-ones, coaching, and mentoring, and encourage school communities to explore faith and spirituality through activities such as responding to big questions, reflective spaces, and assemblies. I am being a positive Christian presence to whole school communities.
Q: How has studying at Ridley changed your ministry?
Ridley Lay Ministry teaching encourages me to reflect theologically on the work that I do, to explore my faith in depth and develop a wider understanding of the impact of children’s ministry. I have developed as a leader through having opportunities to explore what I’m capable of, setting goals of what I would like to achieve, and being able to find my passions through the work that God has called me to do.
Q: What have been the challenges?
I have learnt a lot about myself, my faith, children’s ministry, and I’ve grown in confidence, all in the company of supportive and encouraging people in the Ridley community. This has sometimes been difficult to do as these are pretty life and faith-shaking things to experience, but having the safety of the Ridley community to grow in this way has been such a great experience.
Q: If someone reading this is considering Ridley, what advice would you give?
There are many highlights and challenges that come out of studying lay ministry, because it’s a time when you are going to grow in yourself and in your faith – and Ridley Hall provides the opportunities and the structure to do this in a spiritually healthy way with support, encouragement and a whole lot of Jesus along the way.
Join us online next Tuesday!
Book now onto next week’s open evening by zoom: Tuesday 8th June, 6.30-7.30pm. Whatever stage you’re at in responding to God’s calling, do join us – all are welcome! You’ll hear more about the course and be able to ask any questions you have.
Book today and we’ll be in touch to send you the link to join on the day:
