Prospectus. Theology Worship Unity Mission

Transcription

1 Prospectus Theology Worship Unity Mission

2

3 Welcome to St Mellitus College. Visitors to the College often comment that it is a place of hope hope for the church and hope for the world. My prayer is that as you read this prospectus you glimpse just a taste of that hope. With best wishes, Graham Revd Dr Graham Tomlin President of St Mellitus College Bishop-Designate of Kensington St Mellitus College is a place full of energy and life, widely thought to be one of the most innovative and exciting places to study theology in the UK. Our hope is that this prospectus helps convey some of our values and heart as you explore whether to join us to study and learn here. With best wishes, Andy Revd Dr Andrew Emerton Dean of St Mellitus College

4

5 Introduction St Mellitus College is widely thought to be one of the most innovative and exciting places to study theology and train for Christian ministry in the UK. Named after St Mellitus, a missionary from Rome who helped establish the Christian faith in the south east of England, the College was founded in 2007 by the bishops of London and Chelmsford, in partnership with St Paul s Theological Centre. It is now one of the largest Anglican theological colleges. In 2013 we opened a new campus in Liverpool, St Mellitus North West, and we also deliver teaching to a number of other venues in the UK and overseas. St Mellitus College is dedicated to helping Christians explore their faith more deeply, combining academic excellence, a focus on missional leadership and the flexibility to fit around busy lifestyles. All of our courses take place in the context of Worship and Prayer. Our training aims to expand the heart as well as the mind, and learn what it is to love God in the world today. We work within a spirit of generous orthodoxy, welcoming all kinds of Christians and denominations. We want to be open to the Holy Spirit s transforming power at work in the church and the world, as well as equipping our students to be effective in engaging in mission and evangelism. We offer courses for many different kinds of students: Anglican ordinands looking to train full-time or part-time, undergraduate students from many different backgrounds, Youth Ministry students, and those wanting to do postgraduate study in Theology and Ministry. Accreditation and Centres Information St Mellitus College academic awards are validated either by Durham University or by Middlesex University. We offer the following courses: Certificate in Theology, Mission and Ministry (Durham) Diploma in Theology, Mission and Ministry (Durham) BA in Theology, Mission and Ministry (Durham) MA in Theology, Mission and Ministry (Durham) BA in Theology and Youth Ministry (Middlesex) MA in Christian Leadership (Middlesex) Teaching is delivered at four main sites on either Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays: London St Jude s Collingham Road, Earls Court, (Mondays, Tuesday evenings and Study Weeks) Chelmsford Chelmsford Cathedral (Thursday evenings) Liverpool Liverpool Cathedral (Mondays) High Leigh Conference Centre (Ordinand residentials) Most SMC courses are eligible for Student Finance. Please visit for details of both this and course fees.

6 Ordination At St Mellitus College we offer both full-time and part-time ordination training. On residentials, full-time and part-time ordinands join together to provide a rich context for worship, formation and spiritual growth with the full breadth of the Church of England in mind. Our aim is to provide academic training that is as stretching as can be found anywhere, alongside practical experience of ministry including growing, planting and fresh expressions of church, under experienced ministry leadership. We have a first-rate academic teaching staff and draw on the expertise of a wide range of visiting professors and associate lecturers. We also bring in a number of practitioners and leaders from other fields to help develop our ordinands capacity for effective and healthy church leadership in the future. Students on this course are all based in local churches or mission contexts, either as a primary placement throughout their training for those on the full-time course, or through engagement with a work or local parish context for those on the part-time route. For the full-time course some are already on the staff of, or involved with, particular churches, and continue that involvement. For others, we can help them find a suitable placement or context that will complement and develop their previous experience, often in discussion with a Diocesan Director of Ordinands. Pastoral Support Every ordinand has a Personal Tutor, and where appropriate a Supervisor is appointed in their local church. They are also part of a Formation Group, consisting of a small group of ordinands who journey through the course together, which acts as the primary point of contact for academic and pastoral support and formation. Ordained Pioneer Ministry The College trains many for Ordained Pioneer Ministry (OPM). The full-time Church-Based pathway was originally designed around the needs of OPMs, and later adapted for other ordinands. Besides that ethos, and a number of academic modules that encourage thinking about new forms of church life, OPM discussion forums are arranged at residential weekends, seminars are available for Pioneers and support is given to supervisors of OPM candidates.

7 Full-time Ordination Training Those looking to train full-time can do so through the College s Church-Based Ordination Training (mixed-mode) route, as an alternative to residential training. The Church-Based Ordination Training offers a unique opportunity to combine theology with practice. On this mission focussed course, students do half of their learning on the job in a local church or mission context, and the other half in the classroom, learning all the time how to relate them to each other. This route can be taken by any ordinand who has been recommended to train for incumbent status or who is recommended for Ordained Pioneer Ministry. Alongside their ministry in the local context, students engage in academic study and reflection through one full day s teaching every week (Monday), one day (minimum) each week for personal study, seven residential weekends through the year and one annual residential week. Those new to theological study work towards a BA or Diploma in Theology, Ministry and Mission, validated by Durham University. Theology Graduates can study for an MA in Theology, Mission and Ministry, focussed on Systematic Theology, also validated by Durham University, or an MA in Christian Leadership this programme is quality assured by Middlesex University and you will receive a Middlesex award on successful completion. Current centres for this training pathway are in London, or at St Mellitus North West in Liverpool. Part-time Ordination Training Those looking to train part-time can do so through the College s flexible and innovative part-time training route. A key value of this course is learning the skill of relating theology to the whole of life work, church, family, home, society. The opportunity to study while still engaged in all these areas provides an ideal way to work out how faith impacts the world today. Part-time ordinands work towards either a Diploma or a BA in Theology, Ministry and Mission, validated by Durham University, usually over three years. Students engage in academic study and reflection through one evening s teaching every week (Tuesday or Thursday dependent on teaching centre), seven residential weekends through the year and one annual residential week. Current teaching centres for this training pathway are in London (Tuesday evenings) or Chelmsford (Thursday evenings).

8

9 Licensed Lay Ministry At St Mellitus College we are committed to train and equip lay people to play their part in the ministry and mission of Christ s church. One part of that is our partnership with the Dioceses of London and Chelmsford in training Licensed Lay Ministers (previously known as Readers). LLMs have some theological training which they draw on as leaders within their local churches. It is envisaged that this often takes the form of educating and training other lay people in their ministries, but it can also include pastoral ministry, preaching and liturgical responsibilities. The path to Licensed Lay Ministry is demanding but worthwhile. To join the LLM course at St Mellitus College, students first go through a period of discernment and selection in their local churches and Diocese. If selected for training, they usually study for three years at St Mellitus College for a Diploma in Theology, Ministry and Mission, attending core St Mellitus College teaching midweek either at our centre in London on Tuesday evenings (for candidates from the London Diocese) or in Chelmsford on Thursday evening (for candidates from the Chelmsford Diocese). They also attend one study week a year at the London centre, and/or locally-based Saturdays spread throughout the year. The three year programme includes a mixture of foundational theological modules (such as biblical theology, church history and systematic theology) and more practical modules (such as pastoral care, education for discipleship, preaching and Christian worship). If you worship in the Diocese of Chelmsford and you are interested in this course, you can find out more on the Chelmsford Diocese website here: If your church is in the Diocese of London, you can find out more about Licensed Lay Ministry on the diocesan website here:

10

11 Theology, Ministry and Mission BA Students working towards the BA in Theology, Ministry and Mission initially study modules including Foundations for Theology and Ministry, Biblical Studies, Doctrine, Ethics, Spirituality and Discipleship, Evangelism and Church History. Students also do a module focused on the interface between theology and practice involving research on an area of mission or ministry in their local context. In the final phase of the BA Hons degree course, students use their theological learning to examine issues and themes relating to contemporary life and ministry, including Missiology, Apologetics, Interfaith Engagement and Political Theology. There are further biblical studies modules and students usually complete a 6,000 word dissertation module. The BA in Theology, Ministry and Mission is validated by Durham University. Students can study towards the BA on one of the following routes, in order to achieve the necessary 360 credits: Full-time Undergraduate (three years): You can study this course in London or Liverpool. Students on the full-time undergraduate route need to set aside: One full day (Monday) per week (3 x 10 week terms per year) to attend one of our study centres. Two academic study weeks per year (Monday Friday, 9am 5pm). An additional full day per week (minimum) for private study Students are expected to be involved in some area of mission, ministry or Christian leadership alongside their study. Some students may also choose to work part-time (no more than three days per week) alongside the course. Part-time Undergraduate (six years): You can study this course in London, Chelmsford or Liverpool. Students on the part-time undergraduate route need to set aside: One half day (Monday in Liverpool) or evening (Tuesdays in London or Thursdays in Chelmsford) per week (3 x 10 week terms per year) to attend our study centre. One academic study week per year (Monday Friday, 9am 5pm). An additional 6 hours per week (minimum) for private study

12 Diploma Students working towards the Diploma in Theology, Ministry and Mission validated by Durham University initially study modules including Foundations for Theology and Ministry, Biblical Studies, Spirituality and Discipleship, Evangelism and Church History. After this, the Diploma engages with modules such as Doctrine, Ecclesiology and Ethics. Students also do a module focused on the interface between theology and practice involving research on an area of mission or ministry in their local context. Students can study towards the Diploma on one of the following routes, in order to achieve 240 credits: Full Time Undergraduate (two years): You can study this course in London or Liverpool. Students on the full-time undergraduate route need to set aside: One full day (Monday) per week (3 x 10 week terms per year) to attend our study centre in London or Liverpool. Two academic study weeks per year (Monday Friday, 9am 5pm). An additional full day per week (minimum) for private study. Part Time Undergraduate (four years): You can study this course in London, Chelmsford or Liverpool. Students on the part-time undergraduate route need to set aside: One half day (Liverpool) or evening (London or Chelmsford) per week (3 x 10 week terms per year) to attend our study centre. One academic study weeks per year (Monday Friday, 9am 5pm). An additional 6 hours per week (minimum) for private study.

13 Certificate The Certificate in Theology, Ministry and Mission validated by Durham University lays the building blocks of Christian theology by introducing foundational subjects such as Theology, Church History, Biblical Studies, Spirituality and Discipleship and Christian Worship. It also starts to engage students in learning how to reflect theologically on practical aspects of ministry including Evangelism. Students working towards the Certificate study part-time in order to achieve 120 credits. Completion of all assessed work on the certificate takes two years. You can study this course in London, Chelmsford or Liverpool. Students on the part-time undergraduate certificate route need to set aside: One year of midweek teaching consisting of one half day (Liverpool) or evening (London or Chelmsford) per week (3 x 10 week terms) to attend our study centre. Two academic study weeks (one per year) during the course of study (Monday Friday, 9am 5pm). An additional 6 hours per week (minimum) for private study Beginning Theology Beginning Theology is a flexible, modular course in theology. It is designed for people who want to learn more about the Christian faith, deepen their knowledge of the Bible and Christian traditions, and explore how they can respond to God s call to mission. The course consists of 6 modules, each module lasting one term. Students can enrol for the entire course or select individual modules according to their interests. The modules are: The Bible: Journeys of Faith The New Testament Church and Community The Old Testament Encountering God in Prayer Urban Mission and Ministry No prior educational qualifications are needed to enrol on the course. An important aim of the course is to enable students to gain study skills so that they can progress to higher level courses. Many Beginning Theology students have gone on to study theology at degree level, either as independent students or on ministry training courses. Teaching and worship take place on Tuesday evenings in London.

14

15 BA in Theology and Youth Ministry If you are interested in being a Christian youth worker, then the BA degree in Theology and Youth Ministry could be ideal for you. It aims to combine an excellent grounding in the basics of Christian theology with the opportunity to learn from some of the leading figures in Christian youth work in the UK today. It will prepare you spiritually, practically and theologically for the challenges of this vital ministry. While being open to people from a wide range of backgrounds, it has a stronger academic component than many other youth work degrees, aiming to give people a good grounding in theology, as well as focussing on practical aspects of Christian ministry amongst young people today. This programme is quality assured by Middlesex University and you will receive a Middlesex award on successful completion. It is taught on Mondays in London, and is offered in partnership with XLP, Soul Survivor and Holy Trinity Brompton. Students divide their time between practical youth work and academic study. Studying this degree at St Mellitus College offers students theology and training at the heart of the local church; excellence in academic theological teaching; practical youth ministry training with a focus on issues of theology and practice in contextual youth ministry; and exposure to fellow students from a wide range of backgrounds and settings. Placements Students usually spend around 3 days per week at a church, school or community-based placement. The supervisor at this placement would normally have suitable experience in youth ministry in a local context. Academic Study Students need to set aside: One full day per week (3 x 10 week terms per year) to attend our study centre in London (Mondays) Two academic study weeks per year (Monday Friday, 9am 5pm) An additional full day per week (minimum) for private study

16

17 MA in Christian Leadership Leadership is about influence. Many Christians exert influence over others in all kinds of ways. Some are leaders in the Church setting, others exercise leadership in secular positions. Others are preparing for lives or careers in which they will exercise significant influence over people, organisations and networks. At the same time, many Christians do not know how to link their faith to their sphere of influence. What does it mean to exercise distinctively Christian leadership in the contexts of workplace or church? What has Christian faith to offer as a model of leadership in the 21st century? St Mellitus College s MA in Christian Leadership is in high demand. It is designed to help leaders engage in Christian reflection on the sphere in which they are living and working. The course has been designed with various people in mind, including: Graduate Christians setting out on careers in various fields Theology graduate ordinands training for ministry Clergy looking to take their learning further in CME programmes Experienced leaders looking to reflect on their leadership experience as Christians After a grounding in core modules in Systematic Theology, Leadership, and Power, the course gives students the opportunity to focus on a specific area, for example Arts and Culture, Health Care, Economics, Politics, Church or Spirituality. The MA can be taken by anyone with a previous degree, whether in theology or another relevant subject. The MA in Christian Leadership can be studied in London or in Liverpool, usually part-time over two years. This programme is quality assured by Middlesex University and you will receive a Middlesex award on successful completion. MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission When it comes to theology, the deepest rewards come from serious engagement with key Christian figures and texts. The MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission is part of the suite of Common Awards, validated by Durham University. This part-time course is offered in London (Mondays) over two years for students who already have a prior university degree in Christian theology or religious studies. The course is ideal for independent graduates looking to advance in higher research, Anglican ordinands, or practicing church leaders seeking deeper engagement with core Christian texts and themes. At St Mellitus College, the MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission focusses on systematic theology and Christian doctrine. Students will write a graduate dissertation, with additional core modules including Advanced Topics in Christian Doctrine, Advanced Study of a Key Theological Text and Advanced Study of a Christian Figure.

18

19 SMC Life St Mellitus College meets you exactly where you are. It meets you and it elevates you to the level that you need to be. Stuart Melchor Ordinand London Tuesday evening training my spirit is always lighter, and my soul enriched for spending time amongst the amazing body of St Mellitus College. Deborah Hicks Ordinand London St Mellitus manages to nurture a genuine sense of community, fellowship and belonging, despite our varied geographical locations. Dee O Riley LLM Chelmsford Studying at SMC North West is a wonderfully enriching experience. The teaching is first class and the formation is challenging and affirming. Fiona Iddon Ordinand Liverpool It has been a positive challenge characterised by a fine blend of academic stimulation, character reshaping and a closer intimacy with God. Timothy Bateman MA Ordinand London My experience of SMC so far, summed up in one sentence: genuine community, amazing corporate worship and unbeatable pastoral care. Duncan Blair Youth Ministry BA London I found St Mellitus College to be not only a place of learning but of deep personal growth. Graham Singh Alumnus

20 stmellitus.ac.uk St Jude s Collingham Road, London, SW5 0LX