I realised that there isn’t a place for any questions that I commonly get asked.. so, I thought I’d make this page. I’ll point you to my about page as well for more information.
think of it as the what/who/why/where/how.
So – what exactly is it that you’re doing?
I’ll being doing an MTS apprenticeship as a campus worker at the University of Tasmania, with Mikey Lynch and the University Fellowship of Christians. MTS stands for Ministry Training Strategy. It’s a strand based hands on learning. The Fellowship is a campus group committed to spreading the Gospel. Check out the about page for more information.
..but I thought you were working for AFES/UFC?
I am – as an apprentice AFES worker, working under the MTS model. confused yet? To (maybe unhelpfully) simplify; MTS is the content, AFES is the context.
..and why are you doing this?
It’s a long story that I’d love to tell you over a coffee.. Really! Please, contact me, I’d love to tell you. It involves a lot, but the short of it is that while I was at uni I discovered a passion for ministering (how very anglican of me) the Gospel, and made a decision that at some point after graduating I would do a ministry apprenticeship to learn and grow in this passion. My Bio in the About page will give you a little more insight.
What’s the benefit of doing an apprenticeship over going to a theological college?
When it comes to MTS and theological college, It’s not really an either/or. For some people it is, but the way it’s designed is that MTS is “pre” bible college. Among many other things, MTS serves a purpose of allowing you to discern if you have the gifts and skills to put a formal theological education into practice as a church or parachurch worker. Some people already have their answer, so will skip MTS. Others just don’t know MTS exists.
So I have full intention of heading to bible college, I am just interested in ironing out the bugs I might take with me, and come out fully blind to. One of the best places I can do that..? in a ministry apprenticeship.
Another equally valid reason is that I get to see others spreading the Gospel on the ground level – it provides a basis for applying further acquired knowledge at college. No use trying to run if I can’t crawl.
Why do you need financial support?
Ah. The tricky question. Basically and bluntly, I need to eat and live.
I get a trainee wage, administered to me by AFES (my employer, remember, the Context). The thing about AFES is that the organisation, from the trainees up, rely on the support of others. The Gospel is not a product we can or should sell (sadly, we know some do), rather a gift that we share freely. So AFES has no further income than the donations of generous people, because it’s business is in Gospel work. Much like our local church.
A second way of interpreting that question is “Why should I support you financially”? Can you explain?
Ok, here goes. Supporting me has a lot of benefits:
Ok, I understand now, how can I help you financially?
Head to my support page – there are links there for you to follow, and a bit more information.
The way I’m asking people to support me is by contributing $10 per week, and committing to that during the year. That way, many people can get involved, and know they are part of a team of people supporting a worthwhile ministry, without taking away from other ministries they support.
Of course, feel free to contribute less or more than that, every bit helps!
I’m not convinced, I still don’t get why you’re doing this, nor why it’s worthwhile?
I’d like to invite you to meet with me. Give me a call or email or send me a letter. This is something I firmly believe in, and would like to share it with you personally. I don’t believe it’s something for ‘others’ to do, but something we can all be involved in. So I’d like to personally invite you to meet with me and hear about it, not just read about it.
