The Queensland Baptist Assembly has voted to implement a change to the way QB Pastoral Leaders are supported by external support people.  The new requirement for Pastoral Leaders will be to meet with a Pastoral (Professional) Supervisor 4 times a year and an Additional External Support Person 4 times a year. Each QB Pastoral Leader is free to choose their personal Pastoral Supervisor and Additional External Support Person.   

These new requirements will begin to be implemented in 2023 and pastors will be required to transition to the new system over the next 4 years as per the timetable presented below.   

A QB Pastoral Leader includes:

• Registered Ministers,
• Registered Ministers on Special Services or
• Retired Ministers who
  • are employed in a paid ministry role of more than 0.6 Full Time Equivalent (FTE), and / or
  • have a formal pastoral ministry that includes the provision of pastoral advice, support, counselling or assistance in times of need.

We will be seeking qualified Supervisors who are willing to supervise our Pastoral Leaders.  These supervisors will need to go through an application process and be approved as meeting the minimum standards approved by the QB Assembly.  After approval, they will be invited to attend an induction process.   

Resources for Supervisors 

The following documents provide some of the key information about the transition process: 

• Information Sheet – Supervisors

Detailed information about the Policy and its implementation can be found in the documents presented to the Assembly for their decision: 

• Professional Supervision – A Guide for Queensland Baptists 
• Professional Supervision – Frequently Asked Questions 
• Professional Supervision – Frequently Asked Questions #2 
• Professional Supervision – a Biblical Reflection

Supervisor Forms

• Application Form – Supervisor 
• Supervisor Induction Registration Form 
• Information for Approved Supervisor List Form 
• Supervision Covenant Template 
• Issue of Concern Report  
• Annual Supervisor Report Form – A link to this form will be emailed to every supervisor each year for completion.

Application Process to be a QB Approved Supervisor 

The process of application is laid out in the document: Process for Approval of Supervisors

In summary,  

1. A supervisor completes an application form and returns it to registration@qb.org.au 

• Application Form – Supervisor

2. The Application is assessed and if approved, the supervisor will be:  

• invited to an induction.  Registration at an induction will be by completing a form whose link will be emailed to approved Supervisors or which can be accessed here.
• invited to provide information for our approved supervisor list.  This will be via a form whose link will be emailed to approved Supervisors or which can be accessed here.

3. Supervisor Induction is completed 

4. An evaluation is made whether the Approved Supervisor meets the requirements of being a recommended QB Supervisor.  Recommended supervisors can demonstrate that they 

• Are committed and active Christians AND 
• Have a good grasp of a Baptist Ministry Context   AND 
• Have significant pastoral experience AND/ OR
• leadership experience in a Baptist church  

Those that meet these requirements tagged as such on our Approved Supervisor List. 

Timetable for Transition 

After 1st of March 2023, a transitioning process will happen for a QB Pastoral Leader as per the timetable in the following table.  

 If you have any questions, please contact David Elvery, the Director of Pastoral Services.