Endorsement for Ministers
Endorsement is the heart of what we do. It affirms a minister’s call and provides recognised standing for those who are, or may become, unable to hold BUGB accreditation because they are in a same-sex relationship or marriage.
Our framework for endorsement is deliberately simple, relational, and able to grow with experience. Endorsement is tied to an active ministry role, is renewable on a time-limited basis, and carries clear expectations around continuing development, safeguarding training and DBS checks. In these early stages, we are giving priority to current BUGB ministers impacted by the rules, and to LGBTQ+ students leaving college who wish to continue their ministry within the Baptist family.
Full details of the endorsement process, including criteria and how to apply, are set out in our endorsement document. If you would like to talk something through before applying, you can reach us here.
Covenant membership for churches and individuals
If you share our convictions and want to walk alongside those affected, you are welcome to covenant with the Network, whether as a church or as an individual. Covenanting is a commitment to walk together: open to God, open to one another, and open to God’s world.
For churches, this is not an either/or. Covenanting with the Network is intended to be held alongside your existing BUGB membership, not instead of it. We welcome the support of local churches and do not seek to undermine any church’s place in the Union.
To covenant with us, you can read our full Covenant Document here; and please fill in our covenant contact form here if you have any questions. We would be glad to welcome you. You can also support our work through donations either as a one off or regularly.
Endorsement applicants
If you are interested in exploring a call into ministry and you'd like to find out if the Open Baptist Network is the right family for you to be a part of, reach out to us here. Please share your story, experience and sense of call with us and we can talk with you about next steps.
Endorsement enquiries
If you are interested in exploring OBN Endorsement, please in 500 words share something about yourself, and your journey.
Covenanting with the Network
You may not need endorsement but if you share our convictions and want to walk alongside those who do, you are welcome to covenant with the Network, whether as a church or as an individual. Covenanting is a commitment to walk together: open to God, open to one another, and open to God’s world.