Worship Development Fund – St John's Church Egham

Worship Development Fund

We’re delighted to be launching the St John’s Worship Development Fund to provide grants to support training and development for people in, or looking to join, the contemporary worship team. This has been made possible through part of Malcolm Bateman’s legacy gift to St John’s.

The Worship Development Fund provides opportunities for individuals within the St John’s congregation to develop their musicianship and skills – whether in playing an instrument or singing – by awarding grants for a specific, identified purpose linked to the individual’s development goals.

Recipients of funding will be expected to use – or continue to use – their gifts as part of the contemporary worship team at St John’s, and so the Fund will also develop, grow and enhance our worship at St John’s.

Anyone aged 16 or over who is a current member of the congregation at St John’s and has a good level of ability as a singer or musician (as defined below) can apply.

Applications are closed at this time. Please check in in summer 2026 ,or contact Conrad or Debbie (link below).

To apply, you will need to complete the online form below. But before you do, please review the following information:

Who can apply?

Anyone aged 16 or over who is a current and active member of the congregation at St John’s and has a good level of ability as a singer or musician (as defined below) can apply.
If you’re under 18 you will need a supporting statement from a parent or guardian, or a responsible adult.
Your level of ability will depend on the years and level of experience and aptitude that you have gained as a singer or musician; this might be evidenced by being a member of a choir or band, or the St John’s worship team, or, for younger applicants, by school or college reports or a recommendation from a teacher.

What can I use the funding for?

The types of things that the fund can support include, but are not limited to:
– Lessons or coaching in singing or musicianship;
– Books and training resources;
– Workshops and events.

When you apply, you’ll be expected to have clear objectives for what you want to achieve with the funding, and why, how much funding you need and what you would use it for.

You’ll therefore need to research and cost the services or items for which you are applying for funding and provide this information.

The Fund cannot be used to buy, repair or service musical instruments or equipment. If there is equipment that you feel St John’s should be investing in, for general use, you can make a suggestion to the Worship Pastors (Conrad and Debbie Benefield) and/or AV Team Leader (Johnny Sheppard) depending on what you have in mind.

How much can I apply for?

The maximum award per application is £250 and you can apply for any amount up to £250.
If the cost of the item is more than £250, you can apply for £250 if you are able and willing to fund the difference yourself.

What’s the closing date, and what happens if my application is late?

The closing date is 23:59 on Friday 11 July.
Any late applications will only be considered at the discretion of the panel.

Who will be reviewing applications and deciding if they are successful?

A panel comprising the following will review all applications:
Conrad Benefield, Worship Pastor
Debbie Benefield, Worship Pastor
Lydia Callomon, Worship and Leadership Intern
Johnny Sheppard, Head of AV

When will I hear the outcome of my application?

The panel will notify all applicants of the outcome by 31 July 2025 at the latest.
The panel may apply conditions to any funding awarded.
Successful applicants may not necessarily receive the full amount of funding requested – this will depend on the number and quality of applications received.
The panel will provide feedback on all unsuccessful applications and partial awards where appropriate.
Unsuccessful applicants are free to apply to future funding rounds.
All information relating to unsuccessful applications will be destroyed once the process is complete (and by 31 December 2025 at the latest).

If I’m successful, what happens next and what are the conditions of funding?

St John’s will arrange payment of the funds into your bank account (and will need your bank details to do this).
You will need to use the funds awarded by 31 December 2025. This does not mean that the service or activity that is being funded has to be completed by this date, but that it must have been paid for.
You will be asked to provide evidence, on or before this date, that you have used the funds for the purpose specified (eg receipts, booking confirmation emails for events/training, etc).
If some or all of the funding awarded has not been used by 31 December 2025, the panel reserves the right to ask for unused funds to be returned.
You will be asked to provide feedback on your use of the funds and the outcomes you have achieved as a result.
You will be expected to serve in worship bands at the 10.30am or 6pm service at least once a month, starting on the October to December 2025 rota for those awarded grants in July 2025.
The panel will consider reasonable requests for adjustments in the use of the funds (for example if a different service is purchased to achieve the agreed objectives) but will not be able to increase the amount of funding if the cost goes up as a result (and may ask for funding to be returned if the cost goes down).

If you have any questions that are not answered above, please email the Worship Pastors, Conrad and Debbie Benefield, at worship.pastor@stjohnsegham.com.
The panel will consider and respond to questions within one week – so please submit any questions promptly if you need the answer to complete your application.

Applications are closed at this time. Please check in in summer 2026 ,or contact Conrad or Debbie (link below).

If you’re ready to apply, please complete the online form here: Press here.

St. John’s Egham