Find out how to apply for a bursary to fund further coach training
The Methodist Church is committed to offering coaching to every pioneer and to expanding the provision of coaching to leaders in existing churches. This is to support the God For All: Strategic Update and Renewal (2025-32) and our aspiration to be a growing, inclusive, evangelistic, justice-seeking church. We need skilled coaches who are passionate about enabling growth in new and existing Methodist churches.
For this reason, it is willing to sponsor further training of 2-3 coaches a year for the next few years in order that they might hone their skills, develop their passion for coaching, and contribute to the provision of coaching in The Methodist Church. We are therefore looking for suitably gifted and experienced people to undertake this training.
Bursaries of up to £1200 are available, and can be applied to any coach training course that is approved by the Director of Growing Churches. This funding can be used for course fees and, where appropriate, to support some of the additional costs, such as accommodation.
The closing date for applications in the 2026/7 Connexional Year is Friday 26th February 2027, after which funding allocations will be made.
Criteria for selection
To be eligible for the bursary you must:
Have successfully completed a coach training course, such as Coaching for Christian Leaders at Cliff College or Online coach training with the Connexional Team. Other courses may also be eligible – please tell us what training you have done and when you completed it;
Have been coaching at least two people on behalf of The Methodist Church for at least a year;
Have completed a coaching check-in, i.e. discussed a recording of your coaching with the Connexional Team coaching lead;
Be able to supply a reference from someone you have coached;
Be willing to coach on behalf of The Methodist Church for the three years following the course.
The bursary may be applied to a range of suitable coaching courses. We expect that the course is accredited by a recognised coaching body, such as the International Coaching Federation (ICF) or the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC).