Leadership Development
The Leadership Development track is aimed at anyone wanting to engage in the full Pathways programme and think about faith, leadership and ministry in more depth.
It's ideal for anyone already serving in a leadership position in a church or faith community - whether as a volunteer or in a paid role - or who is beginning to explore what sort of ministry God might be calling them to.
The track consists of two key elements: the Learning Element and the Formation Element. Together, they aim to form you as someone who demonstrates the Five Marks of Ministry. This means someone who is:
- Mature as a disciple of Christ
- Accountable to others
- Relational in approach to leadership
- Kingdom-focused
- Servant-hearted and sacrificial
Click the drop-down boxes below to find out more about the different elements of the programme and how you can sign up to join us.
The Learning Element consists of a series of taught modules, which between them provide a great introduction to theology and a foundation for ministry and mission.
All our modules are taught by experienced pastors and theologians, and mostly take place on Saturdays throughout the year at the SWBA Office in Exeter. For the best learning experience we recommend joining us on-site there if you can. However, for most modules there will also be the option of joining online via Zoom.
For some modules we join with other training providers - such as the Youthscape Essentials course - to provide the teaching. The times and days of these courses can vary.
For each module you will be asked to complete an assignment. These will take different forms depending on the nature of the module – some will be essays asking you to reflect on a subject covered during the teaching days, whereas others will be practical tasks based on your mission or ministry context. We know some students find the prospect of assignments daunting, especially if you haven’t been in education for some time. Please don’t worry! The aim is not to catch you out, but to help you engage further in learning, thinking and reflection. We will provide plenty of support and advice to help you through them.
2026-2028 Modules
Core Modules (to be completed by all students):
- Intro to the Bible – Old Testament
- Intro to the Bible – New Testament
- Intro to Theology and the Doctrine of God
- Living as the People of God
- Mission & Evangelism
- Engaging with Contemporary Culture
- Radical Discipleship in a Changing World
- Leadership
- Pastoral Care
Optional Modules (all students must complete at least two):
- Leading Worship
- Telling God’s Story (Preaching & Communication)
- Pioneering
- Chaplaincy
- Children, Youth & Families
- Small Group Leadership
If you have already completed some theological training in a different setting, we may be able to use this to count towards some or all of the learning element of the programme. This is at the discretion of the programme co-ordinator. It may also be possible to access modules offered by other associations or Baptist colleges. If you want to do this, please speak to the programme co-ordinator.
Being formed for ministry and mission is not just about knowledge or practical skills, but about our character, journey of discipleship and relationship with God.
Although these things will come up throughout the taught modules, you will also be part of a ‘Spiritual Formation Group’ with others from the course. This will be led by one of the regional team or another experienced minister and will meet nine times a year online. It's an opportunity to share, reflect and pray together, as well as think about spirituality and our individual journeys with God.
At the end of the academic year we will have a full day, in-person retreat to give more space to reflect and listen to God together.
The costs of the Pathways programme for those starting in September 2026 are detailed in the table below.
We have tried to keep these as low as possible, and your church may be able to help. However, if payment is going to be difficult for any reason, please get in touch with the programme co-ordinator.
Please bear in mind that you might want to allow for some additional costs such as books and travel.
| Annual Pathways Registration Fee This will normally be paid at the beginning of each academic year. | £70 |
| Two Day Module This will be paid when booking into each module | £70 |
| One Day Module This will be paid when booking into each module | £45 |
| Total Cost This will vary slightly depending on which modules are chosen. The figure given is for 2 × Registration Fees, 9 × core modules, and 2 × optional modules. | £860 |
All the modules we offer are designed to be accessible, and you don’t need any academic qualifications to join in.
If you have any additional needs or concerns, please let us know on your registration form. We will make every reasonable effort to work with you to try and help you engage with the programme as fully as possible.
There is no formal application process to join the Leadership Development track. If you'd like to join us from September 2026, just register by clicking here and completing the form.
We may contact the minister or another leader from your church to make sure they think the programme is right for you. If you have any concerns about this, please get in touch.
Please note that after registration you will still need to sign up and pay for each module individually. To see the upcoming modules, please click here.
We look forward to having you with us!
Got Questions?
If you have any questions about the Leadership Development track or would like to discuss whether it's the right option for you, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our Learning Community Co-ordinator, James Henley, on 01392 433533 or at james@swbaptists.org.uk.