APPRENTICESHIP
What does it mean?
In the context of ministry training, an apprenticeship is a model for training that combines classroom education as well as hands-on experience. Unfortunately, most missionaries and church planters that come to Europe have been trained in a context that has not allowed them to gain practical experience.
Another much-needed advantage of this approach is that the local church is involved the entire time.
At the end of the training, the local church can affirm competency and send a fully-equipped church planting team that has demonstrated their calling.
COMPETENCY BASED EDUCATION
How does it work?
Like other competency-based programs, the ATI curriculum is designed with the end result in mind.
With the aid of fellow pastors and practitioners the development of the ATI curriculum began with the end goal in mind. Next, the Aquila team worked backwards to identify the full range of competencies necessary to achieve these goals. In this way the result of the curriculum can be more assured than through traditional approaches. The competencies themselves represent a unified body of knowledge, skills, and character traits that, when achieved, ensure the graduate is fully competent for church planting and marketplace missions.
Apprentices and their needs are at the heart of curriculum development, and the program supports and encourages personalisation in response to experience, personality, context, and pacing. The curricular design ensures that the level and complexity of the competencies are congruent with the achievements required.
The chart below explains the stages of development of the Aquila curriculum and how the various components fit together.
PROGRAM PURPOSE
The purpose of the ATI curriculum is to help churches train leaders and church planters who are competent to fulfil their calling through marketplace ministry.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Church planters in Europe must be Kingdom-minded, must have Godly character, and must contextualise their ministry. These make up the Aquila Program Objectives.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Often known as classes or modules, these are the areas of study that embody the Program Objectives. They summarise the knowledge, character traits, and skills that the apprentices will master.
Competency in each Learning Outcome is developed through the following process:
INPUTS
The sources used to build knowledge in the apprentice.
OUTPUTS
The activities that give evidentiary support for the assessment of competency.
INDICATORS
The measurable criteria for evaluating competency.
COMPETENCY
The standards used to evaluate mastery of key areas within a Learning Outcome.
Cultivate faithfulness
GETTING STARTED
Reach out and get connected
Our emphasis is building up the local church toward multiplication. This means apprentices must be part of a local church, studying is done in conjunction with their local church, and graduates are approved and subsequently sent out by their local church, to reproduce it rather than themselves.
​
If you are a local church pastor or elder, we would love to set up a meeting to explore the possibility of a partnership. If there is a likemindedness, and you have a desire to train up leaders for church planting, we'd love to explore things with you further.
SIGN ME UP
Application form
The Church needs leaders who know the Word and have hands-on experience applying it.
At ATI this happens in conjunction with your local church rather than removed from it for an extended period.
​
If you are an individual looking to plant a church in Europe, we'd love to get connected with you. We'll ask you about your local church and ultimately seek to get acquainted with your pastor/elder to explore the possibility of establishing a partnership.
FAQ
-
Are grants available?At present, ATI is not offering tuition grants. Most apprentices continue to work while studying and therefore earn an income to help offset their cost of living. However, in conjunction with our Business in Mission, apprentices can receive opportunities to work should they need.
-
How long is the course?Although this varies for each apprentice because our aim is competency and not course completion, it is usually a 2 year commitment. Some subjects are also offered as a modular study.
-
Can you help me find accommodation?The apprenticeship program is designed to not remove you from your existing church and context, so relocating to Cologne is not necessary and discouraged. In the event that you're moving to Europe for the purpose of church planting and will be joining a local church during your studies, we will help you in this process.
-
How do I enroll?Applications are made online and include video calls with applicants and their sending church leaders. This starts here. If you would like to know more, please contact us: info@aquila-institute.com