We offer the full suite of undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate academic study options for any Baptist students alongside a programme of formation for Baptist Ministers in Training. Ministers in Training and non-ministerial Baptist students are based at St Hild Sheffield.
Below are the different options for Baptist Formation, with information you may find helpful for making that step, but we encourage you to Book a Conversation soon so that you can talk it over with someone who will help you to make that important decision.
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Baptist Ministers in Training (BMIT)
Our study pathways are flexible in order to work alongside contextual experience.
Newly Accredited Ministers (NAMS)
Our study pathways are flexible in order to work alongside contextual experience.
Baptist Formation Programme
The St Hild Centre for Baptist Ministry offers a fully accredited route for students recommended for Baptist ministerial formation.
The Baptist Formation programme for 2025-2026 will consist of
- 8 full-day sessions on Thursdays in Sheffield
- Some visits to pioneering contexts
- A retreat in the summer term.
This programme will, over three years, cover all the *denominational and vocational requirements of Baptists Together* [Where is this information? Please link to it] for those in formation for ministry, as well as encouraging a missional worldview, personal development and relational time with others.
We will help all our Ministers in Training to access training in mission, church planting, evangelism and other key skills for building the 21st Century church.
You will also have a personal tutor from our network of associate Baptist tutors to reflect with you as you go through formation.
Academic Study
Ministers in Training pursue an academic pathway agreed at interview, normally a Common Awards Diploma, BA or MA award, validated by Durham University.
Study hours will depend on the pathway and can be tailored to fit the needs of the student and his or her local context.
Teaching is based at St Hild Sheffield on Mondays, where, in addition to our Centre for Baptist Ministry team, a range of Baptist lecturers contribute in their specialities to the teaching programme. Baptist students study on the full St Hild Sheffield curriculum alongside Anglican and independent students. Our postgraduate programme includes the opportunity to access additional study resources and module options at St Hild Mirfield, St Hild Lincoln and St Hild Online.
All students studying at St Hild Sheffield have access to the innovative Missional Leadership programme, which aims to form effective missional leaders who are reflective practitioners, committed to personal growth and aware of and sensitive to their particular contexts.
Baptist students on this programme will be part of a dedicated Baptist formation group. Missional Leadership is one the most popular parts of the curriculum for students based at St Hild Sheffield.
Placement
Ministers in Training are expected to be working in a recognised context of Baptist leadership.
This might be a church, a chaplaincy, or a pioneering setting sponsored by a suitable Baptist body: this will be explored at interview.
You will be supported by your personal tutor. The tutor’s role is to help the MiT to integrate theology, life and ministry, and to accompany the process of formation in their given context.
Ready to answer your calling?
Book a place on one of our open days and you’ll get an interview slot during the day to talk through the steps you’ll be taking and what kind of thing you’ll do (yes there will be quiche).