Occupational Summary
A Church Minister apprentice on the Level 6 apprenticeship (integrated degree) trains to lead and support one or more churches derived from the Christian tradition. They provide leadership, lead worship and preaching, deliver pastoral care, facilitate faith development and coordinate community action to promote spiritual, emotional and, where appropriate, physical wellbeing of individuals and communities. The role involves interacting with congregations, denominational structures, community institutions and public bodies, supporting and supervising volunteers and employees, and working flexibly across evenings, weekends and a range of locations.
This programme covers 38 knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs), typically lasts 36 months and has a maximum funding band of £22,000. Endpoint assessment comprises professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio; a work-based project and project report; and observation of leading worship and preaching, with questioning — these assessments are graded.
View official Skills England source text
This occupation is found in churches derived from the Christian tradition. The broad purpose of the occupation is twofold. First, Church Ministers offer leadership to one or more local churches, as the churches seek to serve God and the wider community. Second, Church Ministers are skilled practitioners in key areas of ministry who can support and supervise other practitioners in these areas. These areas include leading worship, preaching, pastoral care, facilitating faith development. and community action. Through these they seek to promote the wellbeing and flourishing, spiritual, emotional and (where appropriate) physical, of both individuals and communities. In their daily work, a Church Minister interacts with members of their church(es) and of the wider community, with officials and the structures of their denomination and with community institutions (often including schools and local councils). The role typically requires working flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, and in a variety of locations, typically including church / chapel premises, community buildings, the minister’s own home and other people’s homes. Church Ministers have to work effectively and responsibly in roles often offering a high degree of autonomy, with some accountability structures but generally limited day-to-day supervision. They will support and supervise volunteers and may manage employees, with the number of those for whom they are responsible varying according to the size and structure of their church(es). In some denominations Church Ministers may be ordained by the end of the apprenticeship.
Important Notice
Starts on this apprenticeship are paused in the absence of an End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO). Starts will be permitted again once a suitable EPAO is in place.
What's in the Delivery Pack?
Every section is tailored specifically to the ST0527 standard, using official KSB data, the published assessment plan, and sector-specific context.
KSB Interpretations
Plain-English interpretation of every Knowledge, Skill and Behaviour
EPA Preparation
End-point assessment readiness, gateway checklist and method guidance
Delivery Risks
Occupation-specific risks, mitigations and early warning signs
Delivery Model Options
Model-selection guide comparing day release, block release and front-loaded approaches
On/Off-the-Job Mapping
Which KSBs are best taught by the provider vs developed in the workplace
Initial Assessment & RPL
Starting points, prior learning recognition and programme adaptation
English, Maths & Digital
Where functional skills embed naturally and standalone qualification guidance
Employer Engagement Guide
Employer commitments, progress reviews and workplace engagement guidance
Get the ST0527 Delivery Guide
Unlock all 8 AI-powered sections — KSB interpretations, EPA preparation, delivery risks, employer engagement, and more. Tailored to Church minister (integrated degree).
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Qualifications & Recognition
Mandated Qualifications
Bachelors degree with honours in theology and ministry (Level 6 (integrated degree))
English & Maths
English and maths qualifications must be completed in line with the apprenticeship funding rules .
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours
Knowledge
11- K1: Theories and practices of leadership and management in voluntary organisations and especially in the church, including t...
- K2: Change and conflict and creative approaches to handling them.
- K3: The identity, policies and practices of the relevant denomination, with awareness of the character and practices of othe...
- K4: Principles and practices relating to the safeguarding of all people, especially children and vulnerable adults. This wil...
- K5: The Bible and ways of engaging with it creatively, critically and responsibly in the practice of faith and ministry.
- + 6 more items
Skills
20- S1: Exercise effective collaborative leadership and management in one or more churches, including in relation to both paid s...
- S2: Handle appropriately the power and authority resulting from their leadership position in the church.
- S3: Effectively participate in and/or lead meetings relating to tasks and governance in the church and, where appropriate, w...
- S4: Participate in and build teams to sustain existing activities or undertake new activities in the church or wider communi...
- S5: Promote, enable and encourage the mission and ministry of the whole church.
- + 15 more items
Behaviours
7- B1: Comply with the policies of the relevant denomination, with expectations for good practice and with relevant legal frame...
- B2: Maintain and develop relationships of accountability with openness and integrity.
- B3: Act as an ambassador for their church, their denomination and the Christian faith in both their professional life and th...
- B4: Relate well to a wide range of people in the church and the local community of any faith or none, treating all people wi...
- B5: Work effectively and responsibly without close supervision, manage their time appropriately, and take initiatives.
- + 2 more items
Duties (11)
Exercise leadership in the church through helping it to discern appropriate vision and strategy and to shape its culture
Contribute to the effective management of the church, including the implementation of its vision and strategy, overseeing this where appropriate
Make preparation for and lead worship at a wide range of services, both regular and those marking particular occasions (such as Christmas or Easter and events in the local church's life or the community) and services marking life events such as births, marriages and deaths
Preach at a wide range of services, both regular and those marking particular occasions (such as Christmas or Easter and events in the local church's life or the community) and services marking life events such as births, marriages and deaths
Supervise, manage and support both volunteers and paid staff
Participate in meetings within the church and in the community, often chairing or taking a leading role in those meetings - these meetings may relate to any other aspect of the role
Offer pastoral care within both the church and the local community, for example to those seeking guidance in making life choices or looking for support in times of illness or bereavement or stressful circumstances
Enable anyone interested in exploring or developing faith to do so, whether or not they are currently members of the church, through offering individual counsel and activities for groups of various sizes, and making use of a range of means to communicate
Represent their church in interaction with the wider community, including acting to promote the wellbeing of the locality and beyond
Engage in personal prayer and spiritual practices
Maintain their own personal and professional development through ongoing training, study and reflective practice. In order to continually enhance their understanding and practice of faith and ministry
End-Point Assessment
Assessment Plan
Type: PDF
Version & Source
- Version
- 1.1
- Funding band revised.
- Last changed
- 8 Nov 2023
- Earliest start
- 8 Nov 2023
- Approved for delivery
- 27 Sept 2019
- EQA Provider
- Office for Students
- Sector Subject Area
- 10.4 Theology and religious studies
- Trailblazer
- TB0182
- Last checked
- 11 Mar 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What knowledge, skills and behaviours are in the ST0527 standard?▼
The Church minister (integrated degree) apprenticeship has 11 knowledge items, 20 skills, and 7 behaviours that apprentices must demonstrate.
How long is the Church minister (integrated degree) apprenticeship?▼
The typical duration is 36 months, with a maximum funding band of £22,000.
What does a delivery guide for ST0527 include?▼
The KSB Planner delivery guide includes plain-English KSB interpretations, EPA preparation guidance, delivery risk analysis, on/off-the-job mapping, employer engagement strategies, and more — all tailored to ST0527.
Data sourced from Skills England. KSB Planner delivery guides are an interpretation and planning aid based on official published source material — not an official regulator-issued document.