Pastoral Leadership Support & Development
The goal of the PLS&D team is to maximise the number of flourishing pastoral leaders within the BUV. The responsibilities of the team can be split into several categories:
Pastoral Care and Support
The PLS&D team provide crucial support to pastors and churches through a regional pastor model. Each church is allocated a Regional Pastor who offers regular support and check-ins and is the first point of contact for pastoral care, particularly during times of crisis or transition. Regional Pastors can also assist by providing pastors with resources for healthy decision-making and initiating programs for pastors in recovery when needed. For pastors in rural areas, pastoral support is also extended through the use of Rural Ministry Fellowships, and through the Multi-Staff Network for pastors of churches of 200+ who have large pastoral teams.
Regional Pastors also undertake other activities to ensure healthy ministry practices are prioritized by BUV pastors, such as facilitation of pastoral reviews, annual appraisals, and exit interviews whilst also supporting their ongoing engagement in activities required for BUV pastoral leader accreditation. Regular prayer for pastors and churches is a central part of this care and ministry.
Pastoral Search Advisory Group
The PLS&D team are responsible for facilitating the Pastoral Search Advisory process which assists churches to find the next new Pastor for their church. The Pastoral Search Advisory Group (PSAG) is made up of members from the BUV Support Hub staff along with current Baptist pastors, convenes monthly, and is chair by the Head of PLS&D.
PSAG appoint an independent moderator to facilitate the pastoral search process with the church and recommends pastors who have submitted profiles for consideration to match with the church profile.
If your church is interested in undertaking a Pastoral Search Process, please contact Christine, christine.chew@buv.com.au or phone 9880 6122
Leadership Development and Training
Developing healthy and flourishing pastoral leaders is a primary focus of the PLS&D team with regular training and development opportunities offered through the year. Leadership development is achieved through Communities of Practice, Professional Pastoral Supervision, and training programs such as EDGE 10:10. Emerging leaders are discovered and developed through programs like EMERGE and NEXT STEPS, while Generations Ministry Leadership Huddles and Prepare/Enrich Pre-marriage and Marriage Celebrant Training further equip leaders.
PLS&D are also responsible for facilitating and administering Marriage Celebrant licenses, certification and training. Accredited Pastors are required to complete Marriage Celebrant Training every 5 years and undertake Prepare/Enrich Pre-marriage Training. The BUV provides Marriage Celebrant Training
Moderator training is offered for moderators who support churches during pastoral transitions and advise the Pastoral Search Advisory Group (PSAG). Leadership networks are fostered through programs for multi-staff churches and larger congregations. Facilitating inductions into healthy pastoral review models further enhances leadership sustainability.
Generations and Emerging Leaders
The BUV has a strong emphasis on generational ministry, facilitating and equipping leaders through workshops, training, and conversations. Specific focus is given to investing in key leaders within the Baptist Generations Network (BGN) and supporting generations pastors to develop emerging leaders who, in turn, develop others.
Workshops, events, and tailored programs help churches become more generationally focused. The Generations Pastor also represents the BUV on the Australian Baptist Ministries Delegate Body to represent generations ministry effectively. Storytelling about missional and next-generation work is actively communicated to pastors and through the BUV communication channels with stories and social media.
Engagement
The team also engage with pastoral leaders, foster collaboration and promote BUV initiatives through preaching, training and church visits.
Key engagement events include NOURISH, a biannual day for all Victorian pastors, BUV CONNECT, an orientation day for new pastors and pastoral inductions.
Administration and Communication
Core administrative responsibilities for the team include maintaining accurate pastoral records, reporting on ministry engagement, compliance with accreditation requirements and communication of updates to the BUV pastoral network, for e.g. notifying pastors and churches of pastoral deaths and memorial details.