In brief
- Lead the core team in planning and preparation for all aspects of Bridgwater
- Be responsible for the physical, emotional and spiritual welfare of all leaders and members on site
- Liaise with CPAS and with Hill House on all practical arrangements
To do what exactly?
In advance
- Pray for your members and leaders
- Lead the work of the core team across all aspects of Bridgwater planning
- Make appropriate arrangements with Hill House Christian Centre
- Liaise with Ventures to ensure all is appropriately planned and co-ordinated
- Plan and lead the team day, ensuring leaders are equipped for their roles
During Bridgwater
- Provide pastoral support to all on site, role-modelling Christ-centred care and relationships
- Be an exemplary Christian leader in ensuring members have a happy and safe holiday, where they are able to encounter Jesus, maximising time spent with members to engage and support them.
- Resolve practical problems from leaders, members and parents that are escalated
- Take overall responsibility for health and safety, including spiritual safety
- Model servant leadership in all aspects of camp, whilst ensuring the team are led and supported in their roles
After Bridgwater
- Follow up with members and leaders – thanking them for their role in the houseparty
- Maintain relations with Hill House Christian Centre and Ventures
- Continue to pray for all involved at Bridgwater
Remember
- Your role is to create a Christian family feeling where all are accepted and belong: your personal conduct, values and your relationship with God will have a big effect on the whole venture
And for everyone
- Your relationship with God will be really important as you serve Him and other people at Bridgwater
- Look out for the needs of others and try to care for members and leaders with practical, emotional and prayer support
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
What’s expected of leaders
The personal qualities we expect from all our leaders are based on what the Bible teaches about the characteristics that Christian leaders should embody and demonstrate. Leaders should:
- Accept Jesus as their personal Saviour and be willing to share their faith
- Accept the authority of the Bible as the Word of God
- Relate well to children and young people
- Be prepared to work hard and practise servant leadership
- Be prepared to work as part of a team and give loyalty to overall leaders
- Regularly attend a Christian place of worship
- Be of good Christian conduct and follow biblical teaching in relation to money, sex etc
Leading at Bridgwater is a fulfilling and rewarding area of Christian service. Come prepared to give lots of yourself – and expect to receive lots from God too as you take part in His work.
Being a leader at Bridgwater will be great fun and an amazing experience! Of course it will be tiring, and you’ll need to sacrifice personal time and space; but it’s a fantastic opportunity to be involved in changing the lives of young people, form life-long friendships, challenge yourself with new activities and be refreshed, renewed and inspired in your own faith.
How can you get the balance right and make sure you survive to the end of the holiday? The key is to remember that you’re in a team – several teams really. Other leaders on site will support you in practical ways and pray for you too. If you’re feeling under pressure do share with others in your area of the holiday – they will be sympathetic and will find ways to help.
Bridgwater 2023 