• The programme goes from 22 February -19 November 2027. There are 4 terms that roughly follow the school terms. Please ask for a full timetable if you are interested.

Term One 22 February – 8 April

Term Two 27 April - 24 June

Term Three 19 July – 24 September

Term Four 11 October – 19 November 

• We have a mix of block courses / hui and weekly classes on a Wednesday during term time.
• All students are practicing ministry in their own church or organisation each week.

The first year programme is in partnership with Laidlaw College and gives a foundation in the context for ministry. It is a fulltime NZQA course and students are studying towards a Certificate in Christian Ministry.

• There will be four block courses run in Christchurch. For second year students there are two hui also run in Christchurch.
• Students can study onsite or by distance.
• Distance students are strongly encouraged to attend the block course. Those who cannot will be able to access an shorter online class as well as the online resources.
• There are 7 weeks each term where ministry students are practicing their practical ministry in their local church / community trust setting for around 15 hours / week.
• During these 7 weeks, students attend classes each Wednesday from 9am – 3pm.
• Each student has a supervisor and a mentor who walks alongside, discipling them in Christian life and service.

The second year programme is a learning community for people who are leading in ministry. Some participants will be working part time, or continuing formal study. For those studying in the Diploma in Christian Studies (Christian Leadership strand) your participation in this learning community can contribute towards your practical ministry hours.

• There will two hui run in Christchurch. 
• Participants can join the Learning Community onsite or by distance.
• All participants will be learning in ministry in their local church or organisation.
• There is a learning programme during term time on a Wednesday from 9am – 2pm.
• Each participant has a Coach who helps them develop in their leadership.

• The first year is about learning the context for ministry and preparing to step into leading in that context.
• The second year is for those who are leading in a ministry area.
• People in the second year will need to have the learning outcomes of the first year programme. Those people who have that learning can enter directly into the second year.

• The first step is to look and see who is serving already and ask those people if they have considered becoming a Ministry Student for 2027. VMS is not just for school leavers. We are expecting that people from all ages and stages will want to learn and develop as kingdom leaders.
• It is our preference that Ministry Students have been serving in the church in an area for at least 6 months before starting VMS.

• We would prefer that a prospective ministry student would've been serving in an area for at least 6 months before applying to study. This would give both parties the chance to get to know each other and give an idea of what study would be like. 
• For cases where the potential ministry student is unknown to the supervisor – eg. Internationals or people new to our church – we strongly suggest taking the time for supervisors and students to get to know each other before entering into any placement contract. 
• When a prospective student makes an application, VMS staff work with leaders in the church / organisation that the student is interested in serving in, to discuss and process through together.

• It is up to the Ministry Leaders to work out how many ministry students you have capacity for in terms of role/task and capacity to supervise/walk alongside them in their learning and growth.
• Each Ministry Student needs 15 hours of meaningful ministry practice each week and will need a supervisor who will oversee and coach them.

• The ministry placement is an important part of the course. It is up to the pastor or leader to think and discuss carefully before any commitments are made to individuals.
• Different churches organise ministry placements in different ways to suit their structure and the learning needs of the Ministry Students.
• The decisions and communications around placement and key tasks are to be worked out between the student, the church / organisation and VMS. 

• There is potential for a Vineyard church to host a ministry student from another area for a 7 week placement.
• Second year VMS students can opt for a placement in a different town/city.
• Ministry Students will attend classes on Wednesdays in person at Grace Vineyard Church in Christchurch or online. If an area has up to 10 students, they could establish a learning hub in their area and attend the online class as a group. If an area has more than 10 students they may be able to establish a cohort and in time a delivery site.

Please refer to the application process document.

1. Each first year ministry student has a mentor  who can commit to a meeting every three weeks with the ministry student, providing at least 8 hours of mentoring each semester. 
2. A mentor walks alongside the student, supporting them in their personal spiritual growth, character development and guiding them towards reaching their goals.
3. The mentor keeps a record of the times they met with the student.  (they need a minimum of 8 hours input per semester)
4. A mentor provides a written report (using a template) twice a year and discusses this report with the Ministry student to help them in their growth.

• A supervisor is the main point of contact for the first year Ministry Student in knowing how best to love and serve in their ministry area.
• A supervisor meets with the Ministry Student regularly to help them to know what to do and how to do it, and provides feedback as they go.
• The supervisor keeps a record of how many practical ministry hours the ministry student completes in each fortnight. (they need to do 210 hours per semester)
• A supervisor provides a written report (using a template) twice a year and discusses this report with the Ministry student to help them in their growth.

• There is a handbook for supervisors, and a separate handbook for mentors.
• VMS staff and tutors will regularly communicate with the supervisors and mentors about the programme of learning and the steps on the learning journey. 
• Supervisors and mentors are invited to help develop the VMS programme by providing their feedback and insights.

• Best practice is that Ministry Students will have one area of ministry to serve and learn in.
• Some whose area is not so big, or who are seeking a broader experience may have a major area (10 hours / week) and a minor area (5 hours / week) or another suitable hour split.
• The Ministry Students supervisor would be from the major area.

• Scholarships are offered by Laidlaw College and applications close each year on 1 December. You can find out more here https://www.laidlaw.ac.nz/scholarships/
• Scholarships are offered by Vineyard for Vineyard people and these close on 1 December. Please email scholarships@vineyard.org.nz for more information.

Applications close on 16 December 2026.