Basic Leadership School

The Basic Leadership School (BLS) is a staff development program that has been designed to train and equip people to be able to successfully lead small teams of people in many different contexts, such as DTS small groups, outreach team, staff or department groups, cell groups in local churches, youth groups etc.

The BLS has been developed around the principle of Apprenticeship. Basically we learn best when we are taught how to do a job by someone who is skilled in that job and who is available regularly to interact with and to model to us all aspects of that job so that we are not just able to do the job, but able to teach others to do it as well. This is the principle clearly stated in 2 Timothy 2:2.

Because of this principle we ask trainees to work with us over a 12-18 month period, enabling them to work as staff on 2 training courses, firstly as a junior trainee and then the second time around you will also have a role of mentoring junior trainees.

The following are key components of the BLS

• Weekly teaching on Small group dynamics, and basic leadership principles to do with Leadership Character, skill and knowledge
• Weekly discussions and practical applications of teaching content
• Weekly one to one's with senior school staff and leaders
• Practical opportunities for the exercising of personal gifts and skills
• Spiritual leadership and ministry workshops
• Practical opportunity to gain skills in leading and inspiring people
• Practical opportunity to lead a small group both during lecture phase and during outreach phase
• Personal mentoring to assist in the developing your own calling
• Opportunity to lead or be a part of a mobile or Church ministry team
• Mentoring in personal gifts and callings

As we are all different people, and we all come with different levels of maturity and experience, we try to tailor input to meet the needs of each individual trainee.

There are many options for you after the BLS or between schools if timing allows, to put your experience further into practice through learning to lead other training courses, run mobile teams, Church based discipleship courses, etc.

The BLS here in Youth With A Mission Melbourne will be run concurrently with the DTS as an ongoing training course.

If you are interested in applying for the BLS, would you please fill out the attached questionnaire, which will help us to get to know you better.

The Basic Leadership School has been run in Europe, Asia and Australia for nearly 20 years and is accredited with Youth With A Mission's University of the Nations.

If you have further questions on the content or structure of the BLS then please contact Lael Piteau or Bob Bergers at registrar@ywammelbourne.org.

BLS Testimonies

"One of the best things about doing a Basic Leadership School is that you learn with others. Whether you've held leadership roles before or not, it's always best to feel like you're not the only one who is learning. As I went through this time, I learned about myself--my strengths, my weaknesses, my giftings and personality--and about how God created me with plans to use all of it for His honor. I'm still learning how to worship Him by serving others, but the BLS was a great starting point. I definitely made mistakes, but it wasn't awkward since I was encouraged to learn from my mistakes and keep pursuing "the next thing God was telling me to do." Brooke Redwine, US, BLS 04'

BLS Fee Structure

• There is a $550 AUD fee for participation in the BLS. This fee covers costs of registrations, materials and the training course. This fee is payable at the beginning of the course.
• All Overseas students must pay for OSHC (Overseas Health Coverage). This is coverage for their health insurance within Australia for 2 years costing singles $730 and families $1460.
• YWAM Melbourne staff fees of $77/week will also apply which encompasses food, accommodation, and internet.

Additional course expenses:

1. Staffing one DTS which involves leading an outreach team overseas (approx $3000-4000).
2. Leading a 2 week mobile trip within country Victoria (approx $500-1000)

Want the full lowdown on the BLS the click here.

Click here to read our student handbook

YWAM Melbourne Inc. Partnering with Institute for the Nations, Australia (#0449) (c) CRICOS Provider No. 02023k