Our Programme
How does it work?
St. Marks Academy exists to raise up missionary leaders and our programme includes a blend of teaching, formation and placement to engage your heart, hands and head and enable you to be shaped more fully into the person - and leader - God has made you to be.
Teaching
Our programme is theologically-robust and practically-applied, and aims to develop you as a missionary leader who approaches ministry both effectively and thoughtfully. You’ll grow in faith, by receiving a good biblical and theological grounding, in leadership, by developing skills for mission and ministry, and in discipleship, by exploring resources to nurture their own character and spirituality. More details down the page…
Formation
You will also have a weekly Formation Group led by Jonny, our Academy Leader, where your own personal walk with God is strengthened and developed in community. Expect to go deep, find more freedom and discover your true identity!
Throughout the year you’ll also meet with a personal mentor on a monthly basis. You’ll journey into greater growth through thoughtful questions and meaningful discoveries.
Placement
Placements are a key part of your growth, where you’ll discover more of your passions and skills, and will be shaped to fulfil God’s call on your life. For more info about how placements work and what placements are available, head to the Placements page here.
Teaching: Year 1
The dynamic teaching programme includes sessions by Dr Rachel Atkinson plus a wide faculty of network and guest speakers, including sessions from CPAS leadership experts, Gas Street Birmingham pastors, and other leaders in their field. The main session modules are in three main strands, Heart, Head and Hands.
All Academy students will complete the full Year 1 teaching programme. The teaching modules are also available to those who are not Academy students either to audit as an entire year package, or on a great value ‘pick and mix’ basis. This suits those of any age who are already involved in ministry, or those seeking to equip themselves in a specific area alongside another occupation. If that describes you, click the ‘Sign Up’ button next to any of the modules that interest you, or use the button below to enquire about signing up for the whole year’s teaching. The year’s teaching costs £450 and on a per module basis it is £80 per module. Discounts of 50% are available to St. Marks church members. Bursaries are also available so please do get in touch with us if you would need some help to participate. For Academy students, placement churches and our diocese partner ensure that participating is free to the student.
Hands I: Leadership Foundations
September - October 2025
This module provides a strong basis for leadership. It explores the vital importance of self-leadership, through attention to developing godly character, and establishing good personal rhythms which nurture heart, mind, body, and spirit. This foundational module enables students to cultivate a leadership mindset, as well as developing core values to guide our leadership. Some key church-context leadership tools are introduced, equipping students in practical skills to lead prayer times, discussion groups and more.
Sessions & Themes
Session 1 - The Loved Leader: Presence Priority
Session 2 - The Healthy Leader: Rhythms of Life
Session 3 - The Servant Leader: Humility
Session 4 - Leading a small group
Session 5 - Speaking skills
Session 6 - The Organised Leader: managing yourself in time
Heads I: His:Story
November - December 2025
His:Story introduces you to the big story of the Bible. It covers the major characters and events, to help you learn how the core theme of the Scriptures weaves together to give a vision for humanity. It shows you how Jesus of Nazareth is the epicentre of the story of humankind, and shows you how His central message is the central message of the Bible:
“The Kingdom of God has come near.”
This module will equip you to understand and apply the Scriptures like never before! Presented by our good friend Chris Mitton, of Rea Church Birmingham, and facilitated here by our Academy staff.
Sessions & Themes
Session 1 - Creation
Session 2 - Exodus
Session 3 - Land
Session 4 - Exile
Session 5 - Jesus
Session 6 - Church
Hearts I: Healthy Hearts
January - February 2026
This course locates the health and healing of our hearts as both an integral part of the Gospel and an important key to Christian discipleship. We explore what the heart is, from a biblical and theological perspective, and why we need to pay attention to it. On this course you will learn practical skills to develop your own self-awareness and emotional intelligence. You will gain insight into what has shaped you own heart and any unhealthy strategies you might use to deal with the difficult emotions of anger, sadness and fear. As you understand what it looks like to disciple your own heart you will begin to experience greater freedom and find keys to living life more fully.
Healthy Hearts is delivered through a combination of teaching, testimony, work in single-sex groups, and exercises designed to help you integrate the emotional and spiritual aspects of who you are.
Sessions & Themes
Session 1 - The heart of discipleship
Session 2 - Understanding heart disease
Session 3 - Listening to the heart: developing emotional awareness
Session 4 - Discipling the heart: uncovering default patterns
Session 5 - Discipling the heart: three conversations for freedom
Hands II: Leadership Toolkit
February - March 2026
This practical module will take your leadership to the next level. Building on Leadership Foundations, this module adds specific skills to your toolbelt of ministry leadership, in areas such as prayer and prophetic ministry, listening skills, and evangelism. This module is taught by a varied faculty of experienced practitioners.
Sessions & Themes
Session 1 - Prayer ministry training - Rachel King
Session 2 - Listening and pastoral skills - Dr Holly Howe
Session 3 - Project and event planning
Session 4 - Process evangelism - Dr Rachel Atkinson
Session 5 - Prophetic ministry training
Hearts II: Restored Hearts
April - May 2026
Building on the work done in Healthy Hearts, this module moves from growing in self-awareness to understanding and experiencing God’s restoration. We begin by offering a biblical and theological vision for heart restoration, and then explore key topics which will lead us into more and more freedom. These include: The power of the Cross, The healing voice of Jesus, and The freedom found in confession and forgiveness. Restored Hearts is delivered through a combination of teaching, testimony, work in single-sex groups, and exercises designed to help you engage with God and step into the freedom he has for you.
Much of the material in this module is based on Image Bearers by Rachel Atkinson and Michael Lloyd, which makes an excellent accompaniment to the course.
Sessions & Themes
Session 1 - The hope of restoration
Session 2 - The healing voice of Jesus
Session 3 - The gift of confession
Session 4 - The freedom of forgiveness
Session 5 - The power of the cross
Heads II: Mission and Church Planting
June - July 2026
This module offers a theological and practical introduction to mission. We explore the theological foundations of mission, as well as considering church planting from theological, ecclesiological and practical perspectives. Classroom teaching, delivered by experts in their field, is accompanied by real-world evangelism and mission experience.
Sessions & Themes
Session 1 - The Mission of God
Session 2 - The Church of God: Church Planting
Session 3 - Cross Cultural Communication
Session 4 - Mission and Justice
Session 5 - Evangelism and mission experience
Session 6 - Mission and Prayer
Teaching: Year 2
One year can be life changing. But doubling the time you have to develop your character and competencies as a leader gives the potential to multiply the impact of this time-investment in your calling. The second year of the Academy incorporates the same building blocks as first year - Teaching, Formation and Placement - but taken deeper into our hearts and further into our futures. Teaching modules are also open to ministry leaders or those who have completed Year 1 teaching modules, by application.
Following a successful pilot in 2024/25, Academy Year 2 is now open to applications from Year 1 graduates. With 3 teaching modules building on the foundations of the Year 1 programme, an increased amount of time on placement in local churches in the final term, and continued formation input in a Year 2 formation track, Year 2 is designed to help participants step fully into leading others. Placements for second year students are especially geared towards ensuring you will have the readiness to take on more permanent employed leadership roles by the end of your year, and both your supervisor and your formation mentor will work intentionally with you to help you prepare for the next career step in your adventure with God.
For more on what a second year at St. Marks Academy looks like, please get in touch.