Tilsley College. Training to serve God in His World. From the Principal. Knowledge... Skills... Character...

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1 Tilsley College Training to serve God in His World From the Principal Shortly after Jesus began his public ministry he chose a group of men who were to be his disciples and carry on his ministry after he was gone. The time he spent with them was something that they would never forget and would leave them with many precious memories. For Jesus, however, it was time well invested as he trained them to serve God. Today Tilsley College exists for the same purpose, to train men and women for service. Whether those completing the course return to their previous career, go on to further education or enter full-time church or mission work, they will benefit from a course that now has a successful track record stretching back over thirty years. Knowledge... Skills... Character... Implicit within the life of Tilsley College is a concern for mission. As part of the ministry of Gospel Literature Outreach, Tilsley College has a relationship with eight similar colleges throughout the world giving it a truly international perspective.

2 Why train at Tilsley College? Training is both time-consuming and hard work, so why invest this time at Tilsley College? Three words sum up our training objectives: Knowledge: We have a conviction that if s are to effectively minister to their contemporaries they need to have a good knowledge of the Bible, theology and the challenges to ity. We are a small college with an average intake of students per year. This works to our advantage as it means that we can maximise input into each student s life. We are also able to tailor the college experience to meet the needs of each student. This individually appropriate training experience is taken to an even higher level in the second year Internship Scheme. It is no coincidence that when Jesus began his training programme he chose a student group of twelve. This intimate environment is an ideal one for a discipleship style of training to take place. Skills: we believe that training is not merely an academic pursuit, but combines study with the development of ministry skills that enable us to function effectively. Character: we believe that s can only minister with integrity if they are spiritually mature. Part of our training provides discipleship which leads to spiritual growth and the formation of Christ-like character.

3 Thinking about Options One Year Training for Service option This is our main course and it can be taken either residentially or non-residentially (depending on circumstances). It combines the complete lecture program with a wide range of practical experiences including a church based student mission week, a cross cultural exposure trip and a field-term. It has proved to be an excellent preparation both for cross-cultural mission work and for service in the UK. Second Year Internship option Students who have successfully completed the first year can enter the internship scheme which is a local church based training year. The student will spend 20 hours per week developing their spiritual gifts and gaining experience while working for the church. Depending on the student s support situation, up to another 20 hours per week is spent doing guided research in aspects of biblical and vocational studies. The course content is highly flexible and adjusted to meet the needs of each student. This option provides a valuable bridge between college and full-time ministry. Single Term option For students who are unable to attend the full one year course the single term option might prove a useful alternative. Students can attend any one of the five teaching terms (each approximately 5 weeks long) and this can be done residentially if required. In this way some students have managed to complete the full course over a number of years. Open Access option The Open Access programme enables people who may only have short periods available for training to do a selection of our study units. Each study unit contains about 10 classroom hours. The amount of work can vary depending on whether the student wished to do written assignments (a further 8-12 hours of personal study) or merely attend the classes. Approximately two thirds of the lecture programme is available in an open access format. Lynsey [church and community worker] I felt the call of God to go to Tilsley college and was open to all God had to teach me. It really benefited me in that I was able to discover some of my gifts and God showed me the next step he wanted me to take. John [church planter] Tilsley college was the perfect course for me combining the practical with the theory, helping prepare me for future ministry and building the foundation for full-time service.

4 What are our Core Training Principles? FLEXIBILITY MISSION-MINDED At Tilsley College we offer a highly All the staff at Tilsley College have a flexible training format that caters for deep commitment to world mission and students individual needs. Students can this contributes to the atmosphere in come for as short a period as a week and complete a single study unit. Equally they can choose a single term of study (5-6 weeks) as each is self-contained. If students wish to do the entire course the usual starting point is at the end of September. However, our six term structure allows us to have six starting points throughout the year if this better suits the needs of the student. BIBLE CENTRED Approximately one third of the study units are in biblical studies and this commitment to scripture is part of our ethos. We want students to get to know God through his word and to become skilled in using the Bible in daily life and ministry. MISSION MINDED All the staff at Tilsley College have a the college. Missionaries are frequently invited to participate in the devotional life of the college and the course contains cross-cultural experience. Our link with Gospel Literature Outreach means that we have a direct involvement in a world wide missionary movement that is ministering in a range of different situations. There is the possibility of doing some of the training modules in our sister-colleges abroad. PRACTICAL Training at Tilsley College is not merely an academic experience; the course is also highly practical. Students gain experience in youth work, children s work, and social work through weekly practical assignments. The field experience module which incorporates team evangelism, the cross cultural mission trip and also an individual field assignment adds to the richness of the practical experience. DEVELOPMENTAL As well as providing positive ministry experiences we want students to develop their gifts and gain confidence using them. This involves helping them discover their gifts as well as demonstrating how they can be refined. DEVOTIONAL As a college we recognise the need for spiritual growth and encourage this in our course. Each morning begins with a devotional time and the students are encouraged to participate in a structured Bible reading programme. PERSONAL We are committed to treating each student as an individual and tailoring the overall course to his or her needs. In addition we assign a personal mentor to each student so that they have someone to confide in and pray with throughout the duration of the course. CHURCH BASED As a college we want to have a close relationship with local churches and recognise the vital role they play in the training and moulding of an individual. Each of the students is assigned to a local church where they can enjoy fellowship, make new friends and participate in the life of the church. COMMUNITY ORIENTATED An essential part of life here at the college is community. Being a small college there is a family atmosphere which fosters fellowship and strong friendships. Staff and students mix freely and an attitude of love and understanding is encouraged. Students come from different cultural backgrounds and from a wide spectrum of ages and experience. This adds to the colourful nature of the community.

5 AREAS OF STUDY BIBLICAL STUDIES The Biblical Studies units are designed to give the student a broad understanding of the content of the Bible and how it came together. These units comprise surveys as well as the study of individual books. The aim is to give students confidence in using the Bible both in their own lives and in ministry. THEOLOGY AND HISTORY These units enable students to grasp the major doctrines of the faith and to understand the historical situation in which these doctrines were formed. They work systematically through doctrines of God, Creation, Humanity, the Fall, the Person and Work of Christ, the Church, Holy Spirit and the End Times. The student will come to understand the role that councils and controversies played in the development of theology and will interact with great thinkers both past and present. The aim is to enable students to understand and articulate a worldview. CHRISTIAN SERVICE These units deal with a wide range of issues connected with leadership, youth and children s work and spiritual growth. Students will learn about best practice in all of these areas and will discover how to integrate these skills into the life of the local church. The specific issue of church leadership is dealt with by looking at different types of church government and drawing conclusions about which are the most appropriate. This is grounded in scripture as students reflect on the biblical standards required for leadership. Students also look at the broader issue of ethics, learning about current issues as well as a response to those issues. The aim of these units is to give students a grounding which will enable them to play a positive leadership role in church EVANGELISM AND CHURCH GROWTH These units are designed to help students analyse the challenges faced by the church as it tries to reach out to this generation. They will look at a variety of evangelistic methods as well as reflecting on the responsibility that each has to witness. The specific issues of church planting and church growth will be focussed on and students will be taught how to develop a strategy for evangelism. MISSION IN TODAY S MODERN WORLD These units enable the student to understand both the secular and religious challenges that s have to face in the modern world. They deal with the historical development of different secular and religious ideas as well as the belief systems that have emerged. In addition students will be taught to respond biblically and to develop an apologetic methodology that will enable them to respond coherently. Emphasis will be given to cross-cultural mission and the practicalities of living in another culture. Students will also reflect on the lessons learned from the history of mission. The aim is to give students confidence and the necessary equipment to minister in the modern world. and community.

6 Al [church and community worker] I came to Tilsley college simply in obedience to how I saw God guiding me. While there I gained a huge amount of knowledge of the Bible and the life, but also learned so much of how and why I need to apply it to my life every day. The Year at a Glance David & Sheena [missionaries in France] When we did the course it was called "Training for Service"...and that's exactly what it did...a very worthwhile preparation for local church & mission field service as well as now being an excellent foundation for further study... MODULES OF STUDY Biblical studies theology Evangelism & church growth Mission in the contemporary world Term I Life Sept-Oct Introduction to the Bible Biblical Survey OT & NT Term II Ministry Nov-Dec Epistle to the Corinthians Epistle to the Romans Gospel of Luke Doctrines of Doctrine of Church Creation, God & Man Church History Personal Homiletics Evangelism The Church in the Community Mission Experience Week Term III Digging Deeper Jan-Feb Poetical & Wisdom Books Hermeneutics Writings of John Person & Work of Christ False Cults Facing the Modern World Term IV Mission Feb-March Book of Acts Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Church Planting World Religions Principles of Mission Term VI Leadership May-June Prophetic Books of the OT Epistle to the Hebrews Eschatology Ethics Church Growth Heather [evangelist] I had a excellent year at Tilsley College, the challenges helped me to be more reliant on God and the good times helped me to appreciate the family. The teaching was good too. service Ministry skills Independent study Personal spiritual formation Children s work Church Placement Guided Research Project I Life College Devotions Pastoral Studies I Children s Ministry Youth Ministry Youth work Church Placement Personal Journal Memory Verses College Devotions History of Ch. Mission Social Work Team Evangelism Church Placement Guided Research Project II Personal Journal Memory Verses College Devotions Field term (Term V) Church Placement Personal Journal Memory Verses College Devotions Counseling Pastoral Studies II Leadership Church Placement Personal Journal Memory Verses College Devotions

7 COLLEGE STAFF Stephen & Debbie McQuoid Principal Lecturer in Theology & World Views Stephen grew up in Ethiopia where his parents were missionaries. He then lived in Ireland where he qualified as a nurse before going on to study theology. He has a Dip.Th. from Belfast Bible College, a BA in Biblical Studies from Trinity College, an MA and a PhD in Theology from Trinity Theological Seminary, and is currently pursuing further post-graduate study with Spurgeon s College. He has also written six books. Stephen is married to Debbie, who is also involved in a church situation, and in some aspects of college life. They have two daughters. Allison Hill Training Administrator Lecturer Children s Ministries Allison earned a B.Ed. at Aberdeen University before embarking on an eight year teaching career. As training administrator she is responsible for the day to day running of the college. Allison is also a schools worker on behalf of a local church, taking RE classes, school assemblies and children s holiday clubs. She is very involved in her local church and speaks regularly at other churches. Mark & Shirley Davies Lecturer in Biblical Studies and Mission David & Margaret Clarkson Chairman Tilsley College Council Lecturer Biblical Studies & Leadership For 14 years David was head teacher of a large secondary school in the south of Scotland. Latterly he was seconded to train newly appointed head teachers. He has also been full-time worker and elder in a growing church in Glasgow. David is responsible for the development and leadership of Extension Ministries, which includes the Learning to Lead course which he has run in several countries. He has a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry from Glasgow University and a DipRS from Cambridge University. Carolyn Baker Practical Experience Tutor Carolyn earned a BA (Hons) in Humanities at the University of Glamorgan and a PGCE at South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education. She taught for several years before joining the staff at Tilsley College where she organises practical assignments and workshops for the students. She also works part-time with a church in Hamilton. In GLO we are deeply concerned about the task of mission and in view of increasing secularism and the godless society in Europe the need for people to be raised up and called becomes even greater. We have the vision in GLO to see resident mission teams established all over Europe. Over the years we have been encouraged to have hundreds of people involved in summer mission teams and we are conscious of the need to equip and train these young people to be more able to serve, either in their own local church or in full time service. Taking the step of faith into full time mission has an element of risk. It is essential that we prepare people for such a venture and the GLO Training Course at Tilsley College provides an excellent opportunity in this regard. John Speirs GLO European Co-Ordinator Please send me the following: an Application Form further information about GLO NAME:... ADDRESS: Mark and Shirley served as missionaries in Zambia for twenty years engaging in Bible teaching, developing mission resourcing infrastructure and HIV/AIDS intervention work before coming to Tilsley College. Prior to this, Mark, a native of Swansea, had started a career in engineering having qualified with a BSc from Bath University. Mark is currently engaged in post-graduate study at the International College in Glasgow in the area of biblical interpretation. He continues to have an involvement in Bible translation work in Zambia and visits there regularly. Mark is also the practical studies co-ordinator for Tilsley College. Heather Edwards Heather is the cook and housekeeper at Tilsley College. She is also responsible for many of the practical duties around the college and caters for visitors and other groups using the facilities.... POSTCODE:... COUNTRY:... TEL:... E:MAIL:... Please tear off this slip and return to: Tilsley College, 78 Muir Street, MOTHERWELL ML1 1BN Tel: / college@glo-europe.org Fax:

8 Where are we? The college is based in the GLO Centre, in Motherwell. Glasgow is just twenty minutes away by car and Edinburgh is about one hour away. There are regular trains to both destinations and the train station is just across the road. Strathclyde Country Park and the Duchess Park are within walking distance and Chatelherault Country Park with its historic hunting lodge can be reached within ten minutes by car. There are many other historic and beauty spots well worth a day trip. The campus is small but attractive, and is centrally located within Motherwell. There are individual study bedrooms and a limited amount of accommodation for married couples and families. There is an attractive and spacious library with ample seating and computers for student use. Other facilities include the dining room, sports hall and student lounge. As the college is based in the GLO Centre, students have ready access to the onsite coffee shop and an excellent bookshop. PLACE STAMP HERE Tilsley College 78 Muir Street MOTHERWELL ML1 1BN Tilsley College, 78 Muir Street, MOTHERWELL ML1 1BN Tel: / college@glo-europe.org Fax: