Closing date for applications is Monday 1 September

Are you a Christian who wants to develop your gifts?

Do you want to explore what God has in store for you and look at the way ahead?

Do you want to practically develop your skills and use them for His purposes?

Well… the FRESH training scheme could equip you to do this. This pack should answer all your questions and explain the application process.

WHEN?

The programme takes place over 4 weekends and all of these are essential parts of the course. Each weekend builds on the teaching and background reading you will be given. Please do not apply if you cannot make all 4 weekends as there are a limited number of places and we wish to award these to participants who can attend all dates. There is an option of getting involved in a summer mission but this is not compulsory.

The dates are:

Weekend 1 11 October – 12 October 2008

Weekend 2 22 November – 23 November 2008

Weekend 3 6 February – 8 February 2009

Pentecost Festival29 May – 31 May 2009

Summer Mission Summer 2009

WHERE AND WHAT?

WEEKEND 1 WILL TAKE PLACE IN WIMBLEDON, SOUTH WEST LONDON

The weekend will be the foundation for the course. We will have speakers and workshop leaders exploring Kingdom values, what the Bible says about culture, relationships and the Gospel message. How should we as Christians challenge poverty, injustice and live as Jesus taught us? Also key tips on how to lead a small group and how to engage an audience during a talk.

WEEKEND 2 WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE NORTHERN MIDLANDS

You will be looking at practical mission leadership. From ideas, concepts and planning, through to communication and action, this weekend will culminate in group work on a variety of urban projects. We will look at a variety of ideas and models of best practice. A key part of this weekend is also looking at the results of a strength finders programme which will identify individuals core skills and weaknesses, enabling you to focus on your strengths as you look forward.

WEEKEND 3 WILL TAKE PLACE IN KENT

This weekend will be slightly more rural in its approach. We want to get away to a remote place, and build on each participant’s key strengths and giftings, exploring future directions and callings. The team will be teaching you practical project management skills, from funding, communication, leadership and team dynamics. There will be a ‘Dragons Den’ where sponsorship has been secured, and participants will be able to pitch ideas at our panel for projects if they wish!! Those not pitching will be put into groups and will pitch supplied conceptual ideas.

PENTECOST FESTIVAL – CENTRAL LONDON

All participants will be given a role at the festival after Weekend 3. The aim of this is to practically build on the skills learnt on the course and develop strengths and gift identified during the course.

SUMMER MISSION – VARIOUS LOCATIONS

All participants will be offered a leadership role at a selection of missions run across Summer 2009 by Emerging Culture and our partners. There may be a cost involved for those that take this up.

HOW LONG?

Weekend 1 and 2 will run from 9.30 on Saturday morning to 16.00 on Sunday afternoon. If you wish to arrive on Friday evening, we will be providing accommodation, but it would be a good idea to grab a bite to eat before you arrive

Weekend 3 will run from 18.00 on Friday to 17.00 on Sunday. You are required to commit to the whole weekend. This weekend will involve bonfires, marshmallows, assault courses and constructive time to discern your Kingdom vision.

Pentecost Festival is a weekend long festival and will start on the Friday and finish on Sunday afternoon. The festival has hundreds of events across Central London and involves many groups and partners, collectively demonstrating the diversity of the church!

Summer Missions are more flexible, with a variety of options being available. You could be involved with leading projects in locations from India to Cornwall.

You will need to be able to make all of Weekends 1-3 and Pentecost Festival and need your commitment in order to deliver the whole FRESH syllabus. If you are unable to attend all parts, please state that clearly in your application.

HOW GLAM?

We will of course be providing you with accommodation during these weekends. Please note that this will not be in the Hilton, and you will be required to bring a sleeping bag, pillow and sense of adventure. However unlimited tea, coffee and orange squash will be available and all food will be provided during Weekends 1-3.

HOW MUCH?

We at Emerging Culture, believe that God has called us to the work of mentoring and developing young leaders and therefore do not want money to be a limiting factor; thus FRESH is free for delegates. We will charge a £10 admin charge but this will be refunded if you do not secure a place on FRESH.

Resources will be free; you just need to commit to reading them and you can keep the books at the end. We will expect you to put time into preparation for the weekends and into your role at the festival and summer missions. There will be support from the FRESH team, and you will be given a contact person, who will be available throughout the scheme for you to chat with.

Travel to and from the weekends and expenses incurred during travel are your own responsibility. If you wish to arrive on Friday night for Weekends 1 and 2 then you are welcome to do so.

During the Pentecost Festival lunch and dinner will be the responsibly of delegates.

There will be a cost involved with some of the Summer Mission projects, however this will vary from project to project.

HOW DO I APPLY?

So if you think you would benefit from being part of the FRESH training scheme, click here to apply...

With just fifty places available, we will conduct telephone interviews, however these will be very informal. We will also take up references. We will let you know whether your application has been successful during the week beginning Monday 8 September.

If you would like to talk to someone before applying please call Emma or David on 020 8944 5678 or drop an email to emma@emergingculture.co.uk or david@emergingculture.co.uk.

When filling in the form below please be as honest as possible. There are no right or wrong answers and if you cannot answer, or do not know, please just say so. Lack of experience or opportunity will not hinder your application, however please be thorough with your answers.

The closing date for applications is Monday September 1st 2008. You will be contacted from Tuesday 9th September by the team with a decision.

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