IBC Placement

Monday, 15th June 2020
Image: ibc-placement

My name is Benjamin McKay and I have just come to the end of my second year of study in the Irish Baptist College.

During the second year of study, students are given the opportunity to be sent out to a local church or Christian organization to undertake a placement. This year I did my placement with Simon Curry in Larne Baptist Church. Throughout the duration of my time on my placement I have been given amazing opportunities to be exposed to what pastoral ministry looks like on a day-to-day basis, and an insight into how a church is led ‘behind the scenes’. I have been preaching consistently throughout the placement, I have been able to do some pastoral visitation with some of the members of the church, and I have had the privilege of getting to know many of the members through worshipping with them in Sunday services and serving alongside them in different ministries. I am a member of Carrickfergus Baptist Church and I found being able to observe and serve in a different setting has been an extremely helpful experience for me. I have been blessed and I am grateful to have been a part of this particular church during the placement. I immediately felt part of the church family, and this made it so easy to integrate into their church life and serve alongside them.

This placement has been an invaluable opportunity for me in many different ways, but in particular, being able to work alongside the leadership and see their dynamic as well as being able to do pastoral visitation. It has been an absolute privilege to get to know the leadership of Larne Baptist Church. They are a group of five godly men who are faithfully serving God, being directed by his word, while reliant on prayer, for the good of this local church. Meeting up with Pastor Curry has been an enjoyable and fruitful blessing throughout the placement. We have had many conversations about different issues that may arise, all serving to prepare me for what future ministry may lie ahead.

I am also very grateful for the responsibility Simon was willing to entrust me with in pastoral visitation. A real lesson that I have learned from this placement has been how worthwhile and necessary it is to be among the flock. I have seen how essential it is to have this spiritual input into people’s lives in a personal and pastoral way, however I do have to confess that I probably left many people’s houses feeling more encouraged from what they have shared with me, rather than what I shared with them.

I am extremely grateful to God, Larne Baptist Church, and the Irish Baptist College for the opportunity that I have been given this year. I truly believe it has served as a real time of learning and growing for me, preparing me for whatever God has in store for me.

    Blog Archive

Let’s Read Irish Baptist College Conference (Online) From Intern to Undergraduate (Emily Middleton) Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The Reason for Redemption Baptists and Revival in the Long 18th Century Second Year Placements From Intern to Undergraduate (Josh Brown) Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The What and Why of Holiness Final Year During A Pandemic 2nd Year Placement Experience Friends of the College 2021 Update The Art of Reading More Books Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The Real Possibility of Holiness A Basic Easter Fact The Servant King Podcast Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — You Are Holy Third Year Reflection Gospel Guardians: Protecting the Purity of the Gospel for Future Generations Graduation 2021 Book Review: Succeeding at Seminary Let's Read: The Hole in Our Holiness — A Work in Progress Why the Irish Baptist College is Vital to the Health of the Association A Good News Story: The Ministry Partnership Scheme Why Study the Biblical Languages? Profit in Toil: A Short Message on A Level Results Day Let's Read: Small Preaching Recognition Service Report 2021 Sin Forgiven: Nourishment for Life and Joy for Living Let’s Read: Small Preaching—The Character of the Preacher Commencement Service Report Placement Friends of the College Update God Rejoices over His People: A Meditation on Zephaniah 3:17 Let’s Read: Small Preaching—Constructing the Sermon Evangelism Teams: Newcastle and Brannockstown Evangelism Teams: Stonepark and North Belfast Christian Fellowship First Year Reflections (Reuben and Andrew) Some New Books Let’s Read: Small Preaching—The Craft of Preaching Let's Read: Small Preaching—What is God Saying? A Christmas Reflection on John 1 - ‘The coming of the light’ Christmas Reflection on John 1 - ‘Life, Light & Glory’
Time to read Genesis...again Friends of the College - January 2020 Friends of the College - January 2020 Finances Tribute to Marion Craig The Resilient Pastor: Surviving & Thriving in Ministry Just a Blow-in? What is new on the shelves at IBC? Friends of the College - February 2020 Four Reasons to Study Theology Academically From Spain to Moira Testimonial Financial Update Friends of the College – March 2020 Irish Baptist Historical Society: The Mayflower Thomas Patient: the Father of the Irish Baptist Church Testimonials The Pastors’ Conference: An Encouraging Privilege Testimonials (part-time studies) In the worst of times: COVID-19 and the Book of Ruth Friends of the College - April 2020 The Long Wait: Victory Delayed Testimonials - Preparation for Ministry and Evening Classes The Leadership Podcast Testimonials - Ladies Study Fellowship The Leadership Podcast (part 2) Friends of the College - May 2020 Reflections from the Student Chairman Why do we teach the Old Testament? Reflections on first year at IBC Friends of the College - June 2020 Why do we teach Romans? IBC Placement Is Church History a Thing of the Past? Friends of the College - July 2020 Friends of the College – August 2020 Friends of the College September 2020 Recognition and Graduation Service Introducing the Irish Baptist College’s New Logo Commencement Service Friends of the College - October 2020 Filled with the Spirit: Soundings in Luke’s Theology of the Holy Spirit The Famous Five: The Abiding Relevance of the Solas of the Reformation Friends of the College - November 2020 The Importance of Theological Training in Fulfilling the Great Commission First Year Reflections — Tim Houston Singing: The Place of Theology in Corporate Worship New Library Books Friends of the College – Unite to Pray – December Christmas Reflections
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