Before I make my application:

Applications for the ID year (which begins in September) are open from October to August. You can apply here. Before you do so, it’s good to think through the following:

Who can I speak to about ID before I apply? 

It’s a great idea to talk to your church leadership before you make an application to ID. This can be a helpful way of you becoming clear on what the year is about, what you want out of it and what kind of ID placement will be best for you. A leader can be the elder or pastor of your church, a youth or student worker, or a community group leader who knows you. This is a helpful step as the application form requires you to state a church leader as a reference and it’s good to have spoken with them about ID before they are approached by us.

Do I know what kind of ministry I would like to serve in? 

The heart of the ID year is the placement in a church ministry. What areas of church life do you have a heart for? What ministry would be a natural fit for you given your character and experience? Are there skills you want to grow in or particular experiences you want to get from this year?

Which church would I like to serve in? Or, where would I like to go? 

We work with some amazing churches and ministries. Take some time to look at some of the options here. Why not send out a few messages to churches that interest you. Also speak with the leaders of your current church – both about the opportunities if you stay and do ID with them, or discuss the options away from home. You can also get in touch with us and we can arrange a time to chat about your options.

Am I aware of the cost? 

The ID year costs £1750 if you apply by Good Friday, £2000 if you apply afterwards. Payment is expected by the end of the first month of the year. Some church placements are able to cover all or some of the cost of their IDers, so do ask about this if you know which church you would like to apply to. We really do not want anyone to be put off by the cost of the year, and so if you feel like the Lord is leading you to do ID but this is a concern please do get in touch and we can chat about the options. Over the years we’ve seen God wonderfully provide for folks on the course.

After I’ve made my application…

Once submitted the application will be sent to the ID team. One of the team will get in touch with both your current church and the church you’ve identified as your preferred placement. Matt is the ID Course Director, and it’s his job is to make sure that you are sent to the right placement; making the decision involves checking that the serving opportunity is a good fit for you and that the church can adequately support you during the year. This may take a few weeks, but you can expect to hear back within a month of making your application. The team will then get in touch to either confirm your placement or explain why an alternative option might be better. After that, the ID team will keep in touch to help you prepare for the year.