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 2025 – July 2026 (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 – 2.30 pm, 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.
  St Marks Academy’s 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 a 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 faculty of network and guest speakers including sessions from CPAS leadership experts, Gas Street Birmingham pastors, and Bishop Saju from Leicester and Coventry Dioceses.  

• The main session modules run throughout the year and in three main strands, Heart (emotional, 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, Students, and Young Adults  

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

• Serving weekly on evenings would be expected, especially if it 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) 

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

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

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

• Mission and outreach - for all participants, GO! Week would be imperative as a minimum requirement. Further mission and outreach involvement is optional and would mainly 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) 

• St Marks Academy currently has no extracurricular assignment requirements, although they are seeking to foster some form of engagement with scripture in participants outside of the formal time together as well as one book for the year. 

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 (bring and share is encouraged) 

• St Marks Academy enrolment is by CLM (£500)

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

• Retreat day(s) may require partial funding by the participant according to their affordability and for their sense of investment in the experience.

• 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.

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.