Each year in second term, many of our students go out on placement. Placements are opportunities to learn – not just how to do things, but how what they are doing is guided by their theology and vice versa, how what they are doing forms their thinking. This type of reflective practice is vital to forming people who are equipped to react, respond, and adapt to all kinds of ministry situations whether they’ve encountered them before or not. No amount of teaching or experience will equip someone for every unique situation, but we can help to form reflective practitioners who are able to respond to the situation because of their deeply rooted theology and an ability to think carefully and critically about the situation they are faced with.
Our students are placed in a wide range of placements from prisons to hospices, and churches to charities. This is a snapshot of their placements in their own words.
Bethany: “I am working with Street Connect, their aim is to offer hope and opportunity of recovery for individuals disadvantaged by addiction and associated issues. Each week I am involved in several recovery groups, food banks and drop in cafes. The goal is to make connections and conversations to help people make positive decisions and to show how God’s love can help them in their life.”
Abigail: “For my placement I am working alongside Ali Laing at BUS. Through this placement I get to be a witness to what God is doing in the younger generation around Scotland. I will be involved in worship and planning for Magnitude events and other youth and leadership events that the Baptist Union are part of. I’m enjoying observing and being part of the work and move of God in youth throughout Scotland and can’t wait to see what else God does.”
Ezra: “I’m really excited to start my placement at Rock of Ages Baptist Church, Oradea, Romania. Throughout my placement, I’ll be under the guidance of the church’s pastor and, of course, involved in several activities of the community. I’m so looking forward to embarking on this new trip and to see how God works through and among the people, to understand how the church works, and learn how to be of help to others, in or outside the church.”
Martin: “I’m excited to start my placement at Pollok Baptist Church in Glasgow! I’ll be shadowing two pastors and getting involved in community projects. Looking forward to learning about church work and how it helps the community. Stay tuned for updates!”
Jacqui is one of our amazing students on placement this term. She’s helping at Glasgow City Mission specifically with the Women’s Restoration Project (WRP), which was created to provide a safe and nurturing environment for women and their children
Jacqui writes: “I am really enjoying being part of a team that works so well and blesses the community through this project and more.”
Duncan: “I’m working with Dunoon Baptist Church helping to run discipleship programmes with a recovery group and with senior students from the local high school. It’s great getting to be back with the church and contribute in ways I couldn’t have back when I lived there. The aim is to help others build up their faith and better know God’s love at a time in their life where it really can make a difference!”
Marion is at Stromness Baptist Church: “For my placement I am establishing an online meeting for our church members who find it difficult to attend church services or house groups in person. For some the problem is geography (they are on a different island); for others it may be health or work related. I’m hoping to get a better grasp of how using technology can aid inclusivity whilst observing how meeting online may change the way we interact.”