BECOME A HOMELESS PASTOR | The Homeless Pastors

We break our training programme down into five stages, with each progression seeing the candidate take on more responsibility. When each stage is successfully passed, you will receive a coloured lanyard, indicating your stage of progression. Each stage takes roughly four weeks to complete and training will only commence once a DBS check has been completed and references received.

INTRODUCTION TO THE HOMELESS PASTORS

This outlines our work with the homeless and a brief introduction to volunteering and outreach.

INTRODUCTION TO OUTREACH

More detail about what to expect on outreach and includes scenarios training.

GOING ON OUTREACH

Attend four outreaches in a four week period.

ATTEND LIGHT GROUPS

Light Groups are conversational groups led by a Homeless Pastor. These groups help create community and have a different theme each week. Candidates are required to attend two Light Groups over the four week period. See below for more details.

ONE-TO-ONE WITH HOMELESS PASTOR

A one hour meeting over coffee to find out how you are doing and to feedback.

GRADUATION

Once you have successfully completed these steps, you have graduated to level two.

GOOD BOUNDARIES TRAINING

Having the right boundaries is essential, for both the homeless folks and yourself. This session will teach you how to build and maintain good boundaries.

GOING ON OUTREACH

Attend four outreaches. Four will be critiqued by the team leader.

ATTEND LIGHT GROUPS

Attend two Light Groups over a four week period.

SAFEGUARDING TRAINING

Safeguarding is really important. Our priority is to keep the homeless folks and the team safe at all times. This session lasts 1.5 hours.

DRUG AWARENESS TRAININGBasic training in drug awareness, what to look out for and how to deal with drug use and the individual.

ONE-TO-ONE WITH HOMELESS PASTOR

A one hour meeting over coffee to find out how you are doing and to feedback.

INTRODUCTION TO HOMELESSNESS SERVICES & NETWORKING

It’s important to help people off the streets, as quickly as possible. So knowing who can help and what services are available is essential.

ATTEND OUTREACHES

Attend four outreaches, one will be critiqued by the team leader.

FINAL OUTREACH WORKSHOP

In this workshop we will discuss what has worked over the last twelve weeks and look at real life scenarios of homelessness.

DROP-IN SESSION

Attend two drop in sessions at a local organisation helping the homeless, accompanying a homeless pastor.

FIRST AID TRAINING

Having knowledge of first aid is sometimes needed. This session is essential to keep people safe.

SUICIDE AWARENESS TRAINING

Knowing when people are struggling and suicidal will help save lives. This session lasts 2 hours.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING

Understanding the stigma behind mental health and being able to support people suffering with their mental health.

ADVANCED DRUG AWARENESS TRAINING

A more detailed look at drug use and training with Naloxone can save lives.

ONE-TO-ONE WITH SENIOR MANAGER

A one hour meeting over coffee to find out how you are doing and to feedback.

ASSESSMENT

All candidates are required to complete an hour long oral assessment, in order to graduate to level four.

Level four of training lasts ten months and adds the spiritual and pastoral element of the training, with some of the practical skills to develop your own locality for homeless outreach and delivering Light Groups. Completion of this level will graduate you into becoming a Homeless Pastor.

LEEDS SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

Attend Leeds School of Theology “Ministry in the Margins” course. (One evening per month for 10 months). Details on the following page.

LIGHT GROUPS

Lead two Light Group sessions (feedback given)

OUTREACH

Lead four outreaches with feedback given.

DROP-IN SESSIONS

Attend two drop-in sessions and give advice to the homeless.

SOCIAL MEDIA, BRAND & MARKETING

We will support you and help you to understand social media, the Homeless Pastors brand and how to promote and market it.

FUNDRAISING & EVENTS

Develop your own local fundraising events using our tried and tested tips and knowledge.

After graduation we will develop your role in your local area, supporting you as you continue as a Homeless Pastor.

ONE-TO-ONE WITH SENIOR MANAGER

A one hour meeting over coffee to find out how you are doing and to feedback.

REGULAR NETWORKING WITH OTHER

HOMELESS PASTORS

A chance to connect and network with other Homeless Pastors sharing experiences, and best practice advice and support.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING

Additional training will be provided throughout your time as a Homeless Pastor to ensure the advice you are giving is up-to-date

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Every year we will meet together as a team to share encouragement, fellowship, pray and eat together.

Light Groups are an integral part of The Homeless Pastors Outreach programme. It is a tried-and-tested model of community group that tackles isolation and gets people back into the community. They deal with the spiritual and emotional burdens that members may be facing by exploring issues such as forgiveness and thankfulness. They are a place where people can encounter the love of Jesus and respond to the good news of The Gospel.

In order to develop a strong faith in God, people need to build new foundations away from alcoholism and drug use. In addition, many people suffer from severe mental health related issues. The Light Group understands and appreciates these challenges and works with individuals to leave chaos behind and experience peace in supportive communities.

We use existing recovery resources and discussion points to help people maintain their journey but also consider rehabilitation and a life without drink and drugs. We encourage people to further access church and work with local church leaders to develop constructive pathways.

'COMING TO THE GROUP IS HELPING ME FIND PEACE OUT OF CHAOS. IN THE GROUP DISCUSSIONS, EVERYONE CONTRIBUTES HONESTLY AND THERE'S A REAL SENSE OF FAMILY. I'M JUST BEGINNING TO DISCOVER THAT GOD LOVES ME.'

LIGHT GROUP ATTENDEE

Having a robust understanding of The Gospel and to clearly articulate it is central to what we do. The Leeds School of Theology provide sound theological training that inspires and equips you to engage with those on the margins in a way that looks and loves like Jesus. The course, will include passionate teaching which fuses together Biblical studies, theological reflection, interviews with people with lived experience, cultural analysis, historical case studies and cutting edge research on addiction and trauma to inspire and equip the church to engage with those on the margins. Topics include...

BUILDING COMMUNITY

LEADING ACCESSIBLE WORSHIP FOR VULNERABLE ADULTS

WHY THE HELL DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN?

ADDICTION AND RECOVERY

HELPING WITHOUT HURTING

TRAUMA: HOPE FOR HEALING

VISION AND VALUES OF HEALTHY THEOLOGY

MISSIONAL THEOLOGY FOR THE MARGINS

JUSTICE AND THE HEART OF GOD

THE IMAGE OF GOD