The KZN Ministry Apprenticeship

For those seeking training and testing in full-time paid Christian ministry

The KZNMA aims to TEST and TRAIN the next generation for Christian ministry, particularly within and for the KwaZulu Natal and South African context.

These men and women are mentored and trained as part of, if you like, an intense form of normal Christian discipleship which usually takes place over 2 years. The KZNMA is currently overseen by The Bible Talks KZN in partnership with local churches. Most of those in the KZNMA will be split between TBT and a local KZN church for their apprenticeship in what is usually a 50/50 split of time and responsibilities. But other options are also possible.

The KZNMA involves three main focus areas:

Area 1: Mentorship

A senior member of the TBT or local church staff (or alternative where necessary) mentors the apprentice on a weekly basis, and in additional time spent together. They aim to encourage their apprentice to grow in his/her knowledge and love of our Triune God, as well as providing any needed practical support and guidance. At times, they supplement any gaps in training or skills.

Keeping an eye on and encouraging real Christian character is a particular focus of this area!

Area 2: Training

This is the particular ‘input’ part of the apprenticeship where apprentices are trained in bible handling, ministry practices, teaching skills, and theology.

As part of that, KZN Ministry Apprentices attend a weekly Tuesday (8.30am-12pm) training event called ‘Gospel Workshop’ (GW). These are run by seasoned local church ministers, sometimes with invited guests running certain sections of the training. At GW, the apprentices are:

  • taught better Bible handling skills, wrestle with whole books of the Bible, as well as with various parts of Christian theology and ministry practise

  • encouraged to take seriously the application of these things to their own hearts with increased love and trust of our God

  • developed in their skills by presenting short talks or running Bible studies which are critiqued by senior GW leaders and their peers.

The meeting itself often requires additional pre-meeting prep and readings.

Training also takes place in January and July with ministry specific workshops focusing on areas such as: prayer, 121s, leading small groups, evangelism, time and money management.

Area 3: Service

This is the main ‘output’ part of the apprenticeship program, most often involving an emphasis on apprentices’ involvement in word and relational ministry like 121s, evangelism, Bible Studies, preaching (if applicable) or leading gatherings and training meetings.  This takes up a significant part of the apprentices’ week and is an essential opportunity to actively grow in word based relational service.

In addition, TBT and their local church often allocate specific administry tasks and roles to the apprentices as part of them serving humbly and faithfully. Anything from stacking chairs to running rosters. Linked to this is participation in TBT and local church weekly staff meetings, as well as helping to run annual events etc.

All in all, the apprentices gain a very wide and real experience of normal ministry in both the local church and university ministry contexts.

Interested in joining the KZNMA for training and testing?

Here is the process and timeline for applying:

  1. Applications open from JUNE of each year until the end of JULY. An application form can be downloaded HERE. It should be completed and returned before the end of July. The email address to send the application to, is listed in the document.

  2. Those applications are reviewed. And if successful, interviews are held (in person, or via Zoom) in SEPTEMBER of each year with applicants interviewed by senior members of TBT and of a local church.

  3. Applicants are then contacted in OCTOBER with further information about whether they have been offered a place in the KZN Ministry Apprenticeship for the coming year (to start in the first week of January).

  4. If approached, applicants are expected to confirm their acceptance by the end of OCTOBER/early NOVEMBER in time for the annual Governing Board meeting where positions are confirmed for the new year.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Can I do the Apprenticeship part time, or while studying?

No, the KZNMA is a full time role which will see you working 6 days a week. As such, it’s not possible to do part time.

  • Do I need to be a Christian to do the KZNMA?

Definitely yes! - the KZNMA takes place in the context of being discipled as followers of Jesus! And in fact we would even say that the program is not best suited for those who have only recently started following Jesus. Instead, the Apprenticeship is primarily for those Christians who now seek to be tested and trained for full-time paid Christian ministry. Furthermore, please note that the convictions of those leading the KZNMA are broadly Reformed and Evangelical in their focus. This may mean that some believers may not be best suited to the KZNMA if they disagree with those convictions of Christian life and ministry.

  • At what time of the year does the Apprenticeship start?

Apprentices in the KZNMA start in the first week of January, and their first year runs until the end of December. If a candiate makes it through to the second year of their apprenticeship, then it again runs from early January to the end of December of that new year.

  • Are there review proccesses along the way?

Yes, apprentices are reviewed at the 6 month and 11 month markers of their first year. Towards the end of their first year, in consultation with their ministry leaders, it is ascertained whether the apprentice will be continuing into the second year of the program.

Then, if they are in the second year of their time with the KZNMA, there will be additional 6 month and 11 month reviews in that second year. And towards the end of that year, in consultation with their ministry leaders, wisdom is given about what the next steps for each candidate might look like in terms of Christian ministry.

Got more questions?

Feel free to reach out to us via our contact form on this website.

Also, check out what others have to say about apprenticeship, CLICK HERE.