Have you been thinking about ‘What’s Next’ after school and are not quite sure what that looks like? If you are, then consider including a ‘Gap Year’ with your church. This program is around 16-20 hours a week and will help you grow in and reflect on your Christian faith.
It will involve weekly training with someone from your local church as well as opportunities to serve at your church. They’ll catch up with you regularly during the year to see how you are going in life and faith. In addition, you can be part of Presbyterian Youth & Kids camps during the course of the year.*
This program will follow the four terms of the school year, and will allow you time off during the year. If you would also like to pursue paid work, there is space and flexibility in the program to allow for this.
If you’re keen to grow as a follower of Jesus and understand your faith more deeply as you consider what the future may hold, then get in touch with your minister or you can contact Kate Mitchell or Chris Pine for more information (contact details below.)
*Participants will need to be suitable for the camp and meet PresSafe requirements. Any camp costs for involvement in camp will need to be covered by the participant.
More Information
LOCAL CHURCH COMPONENT
- TRAINING CONTENT
- ASSIGNED BOOKS FOR DISCUSSION
God’s Big Picture – Vaughn Roberts
King’s Cross – Timothy Keller
Dig Even Deeper – Andrew Each & Ricard Alldritt
10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (& Answer) About Christianity – Rebecca McLaughlin
Participants will be expected to have their own copies of the assigned books (new, second hand or borrowed) - TRAINING TOPICS
A range of topics will also be covered from theology, to life skills and personal growth. - PASTORAL CARE
A local supervisor will meet weekly or fortnightly with participants.
If at any point the participant is finding the content ‘too much’, they are able to discuss this their Supervisor.
- ASSIGNED BOOKS FOR DISCUSSION
- VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT & SUPERVISION
Each participant is expected to volunteer in a ministry area/s at their local church for around one day a week (or equivalent). This should be done under the supervision of a staff member or ministry coordinator, with support provided by the program director. It is expected that participants would also be attending a regular church service and Bible study.
EXTERNAL COMPONENT
There will be opportunity for to participate in Presbyterian Youth & Kids Camps during the year, as well as connect with other Gap year participants either during camps or in online catch-ups.
To participate in this program THERE WILL BE NO UP FRONT COSTS. Any costs will be direct to the participant for books and camp fees (if they participate)
Participants are encouraged to have part time work to help cover costs, but this is not a requirement.
Any church is welcome to participate in this program. It is not intended to be a ministry apprenticeship, and will not result in a ‘qualification’ other than a certificate of completion.
If you are approached to be a local church supervisor, then someone is asking the following of you.
- OVERSIGHT
You will provide supervision for the individual as they participate in 8 hours of ministry involvement (whether one or more ministries). This is mostly to ensure this component is taking place. - MINISTRY SKILLS
This may mean giving opportunity for the participant to use skills they may have learnt during the program or providing different ministry experiences like:Youth or Children’s Ministries
Teaching
RI/Schools Ministry
Aged Care
Pastoral Care
Mercy Ministries - PASTORAL CARE
Please plan to meet weekly or fortnightly with the participant. While those delivering the program will catch up with participants during the course of the program, pastoral care will primarily come from the local church. The program directors will catch up with you at various points about how the participant is going.
For more information please contact Kate Mitchell or Chris Pine