We are passionate about seeing you, the next generation… 

• Journey Deeper through teaching, spiritual formation and growing in their identity in Christ 

• Grow Stronger through serving and leading inside and outside the church  

• Bring the Kingdom by learning and growing to influence others in the mission of Jesus 

This Discipleship Year is most suitable for young adults aged 18-25, such as recent school/college leavers and post-graduates. It is also ideal for those already involved and growing within a (CLM) ministry context but looking for something to accelerate their discipleship and/or explore a call to ministry through further input and development. 

Overview of Programme

September 2026 – July 2027 (Thursdays, one additional day in the week, and Sundays, along with other ad-hoc dates relating to retreat days and ministry events). 

Thursdays (typically 9.00 – 2.30pm, inclusive of lunch) at St Marks Academy in Coventry for theological Teaching and Spiritual Formation input.

• CLM is delighted to have forged a partnership with St Marks Academy in aspects of teaching and spiritual formation.
  The teaching is theologically robust, aligned with CLM, and practically applied. It aims to develop you as a missionary leader who approaches ministry effectively and thoughtfully. You’ll grow in faith by receiving good biblical and theological grounding in leadership, by developing skills for mission and ministry, and in discipleship by exploring resources to nurture your character and spirituality. 

• The dynamic teaching programme includes sessions by Dr Rachel Atkinson (Academy Principal), plus a wide range of network and guest speakers, including CPAS leadership experts, Gas Street Birmingham pastors, and Bishop Saju from the Leicester and Coventry Dioceses.  

• The main session modules run throughout the year across three strands: Heart (emotional and spiritual health, discipleship), Head (Bible literacy and interpretation), and Hands (leadership of self and others, missions). 

• You will also have a weekly Formation Group led by Jonny Davies, the Academy Leader, where your personal walk with God will be strengthened and developed in community. Expect to go deep, find more freedom, and discover your identity! 

Thursday Afternoons (2.30pm – 5pm) at CLM for formation sessions including reflection, study consolidation, ministry, and mentoring.

CLM Week-day Serving (one day a week, either Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday)  

• Serving in one primary ministry alongside a CLM Ministry Leader 

• The ministries available include Kids, Youth, Young Adults/Students, Synergy (60+), Media, Sound and Production and aspects of Missions/Outreach.

• This allocation would be dependent on participants’ strengths and interests identified during the application process, the existing needs of CLM ministries, and developmental opportunities. It’s an opportunity to sharpen skills, giftings, competency, and character.  

• Serving weekly on evenings would be expected, especially if it is linked to the ministry you are assigned to. 

CLM Sunday Serving – Serving fully as part of the staff team at least two Sundays a month, typically from 7.30am – 2.30pm*) 

• Alternating Sundays will require being ‘flexible’ on team for both services, where you can engage in one church service whilst supporting team in serving as needed. 

• Ideally serving on Sundays in the same ministry area as during the week. 

• *Occasionally, serving requirements may include ad-hoc Sunday events such as Encounter, ministry-specific events and other special events.  

Additional Programme Elements 

• 1:1 Mentoring (at least once a month) with a mentor provided by CLM 

• Monthly journal reflections (with guided questions) by CLM

• Required involvement in some expression of Christ-centred community in a non-serving capacity i.e., Life Group at CLM

• Mission and outreach - for all participants, GO! Week at CLM would be a minimum requirement. Further mission and outreach involvement is optional and would be expected to be initiated by the participant and supported/endorsed by the programme lead/wider Leadership.

• Evangelism (optional and potentially available within the existing initiatives at CLM) 

• Retreat with St Marks Academy in Autumn (2 days) 

• Prayer Retreat with St Marks Academy in Spring (1 day)

• St Marks Academy, whilst not an academic programme, encourages regular Bible reading with a supported plan, and includes 2 required reading books during the year. Periodically, formation journals are submitted to help reflect on personal discipleship and leadership learning. There are no essays or assessments in Year 1.

Cost for the Year 

• Participants would be expected to fund their own basic living expenses, including lunches during the training days at St Marks Academy where a bring and share is encouraged 

• St Marks Academy enrolment is funded by CLM and appox. £500

• Travel and study resources directly related to programme requirements can be funded by CLM based on existing terms and parameters. 

• Academy Retreats are included with just the cost for travel (petrol contribution while car-sharing) payable by the student.

• Mission and outreach opportunities that require finance should mostly be funded/fundraised by the participant, with support available upon discussion with CLM. 

Applications

You will need to make applications to both CLM Church and St Marks Academy. We recommend saving your application responses in case you may need to replicate and adapt information. Interviews with CLM will be between end of May/Early June and all interviews with St Marks Academy will be between June and August, subject to applicant and staff availability. Applications for CLM will close Monday 18 May and 28 July 2026 for St Marks Academy.

We are excited at what God is doing at CLM and how he is growing and preparing his people to bring his Kingdom to every life and sphere of society. We hope that you will prayerfully consider your participation and application process.