The Church of England, Birmingham and The Methodist Church

Transcription

1 The Church of England, Birmingham and The Methodist Church Programme for

2 Welcome to LEARNING FOR DISCIPLESHIP The Methodist Church and The Church of England, Birmingham working together in partnership, are delighted to be able to offer an accessible programme of serious study in an attractive and flexible format. In LEARNING FOR DISCIPLESHIP we aim to offer a wide range of courses to stretch people and enable development over a period of time as different topics are followed. Important Information The venue for most of the LEARNING FOR DISCIPLESHIP modules is 1 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2BJ, where the offices and training rooms for the Church of England, Birmingham are based. This venue is easily accessible by public transport and there are car parking facilities close by. (See the map on the inside back page.) Please note modules indicated by * take place at the Queen s Foundation. We are grateful to Queen s for the places made available to LEARNING FOR DISCIPLESHIP participants on some of their courses. 2

3 ATTENDANCE You can take just a single module if you wish, or you can choose something each term to build up your own programme of study, and you choose if you wish to do the assessed work. SAMPLING ACADEMIC STUDY For modules based at 1 Colmore Row, it is possible to do assessed work. Those who wish to complete the assessed work (usually one essay totalling 2000 words) can pay an extra charge and have their work assessed by their tutor. It is not possible to do assessed work for modules based at the Queen s Foundation: please check the details for the module you wish to attend if this is important to you. THE LEARNING FOR DISCIPLESHIP AWARD Successful completion of assessed work to a suitable standard for three modules makes up the LEARNING FOR DISCIPLESHIP award. Successful students will be presented with a Certificate signed by the Bishop of Birmingham and leaders from other churches. WHEN DO MODULES TAKE PLACE? For most modules there are 10 weekly classes of between 2 and 3 hours starting in September, January or May. Some classes are in the evenings and some in the daytime. Please note that the Black and Asian Christian Theology evening course (module 3) begins partway through the Autumn term and consists of 6 classes. 3

4 WHO IS LEARNING FOR DISCIPLESHIP FOR? The LEARNING FOR DISCIPLESHIP programme is for anyone who wishes to try a more formal study course. (You might already have done the Anglican 3D Course or be a participant in the Methodist programme EDEV, or something similar). It is also helpful for Methodist Local Preachers and Anglican Readers and other lay leaders who are looking for development or refreshment. For anyone, here is a chance to discover new gifts and interests, to explore new directions, to increase your education and perhaps prepare for further studies. This is a challenging programme, at a level similar to a first year university course, but you do not need any special previous knowledge to join. The tutors are specialists in their own subjects, who are also experienced in helping adult students to learn. The only requirement when you start a module is that you should be serious about following it through to the end of the term. A new student on this programme said recently: It has been inspiring and wonderfully enabling. I have really enjoyed all my modules. The approach of the tutors was so affirming and there has been so much encouragement to do my best. I ve seen myself grow in my knowledge of scripture, and the ability to express myself in discussion and the essays. WHAT DOES IT COST? We are delighted to be able to keep the cost to participants for this year at 80 per module, which is payable at least 4 weeks before the module starts. If you wish to take the assessed work, this will be an extra 15 per module. You may need to buy one or two books each term, and for most of the modules, there will also be a small library of books for borrowing. 4

5 CONTENTS PAGE TERM TITLE OF COURSE PAGE Autumn Explorations in the Hebrew Bible 5 2. Basic Greek 5 3. *Black and Asian Christian Theology 6 Spring Introduction to the New Testament 7 5. Studies in a Gospel: Mark 7 6. *Cross and Salvation 8 Summer Science and Theology 9 8. Reading Paul s Letters 9 The venue for most courses is 1 Colmore Row. Those courses indicated by * take place at the Queen s Foundation. 5

6 AUTUMN EXPLORATIONS IN THE HEBREW BIBLE 10 Monday mornings: 10am 12noon with coffee break Course dates: 22 September 1 December 2014 Half term break: October 27 Tutor: Ann Conway-Jones Venue: 1 Colmore Row This module is an exploration of the richness and variety in the Hebrew Bible, known to Christians as the Old Testament and to Jews as the Tanakh. We will work through a series of biblical themes by focussing on particular passages, looking at their historical context and literary features. We will also discuss the ways in which they have subsequently been read by Jews and Christians. Students will gain an overview of the Hebrew Bible and Israelite history, as well as acquiring some of the skills necessary to comment on biblical texts. They will develop a selfawareness of the way in which religious commitment affects biblical interpretation. 2. BASIC GREEK 10 Monday evenings: pm with a coffee break Course dates: 22 September - 1 December 2014 Tutor: Alison Thorne Venue: 1 Colmore Row A course for complete beginners, to introduce you to the very basics of New Testament Greek. Using your knowledge of a lot of English words, it will show you how to begin to make sense of the original language of the New Testament. Learners will be reading Greek New Testament texts from the very first lesson. (It is not possible to do assessed work for this module.) 6

7 3. BLACK AND ASIAN CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY 6 Tuesday evenings: 6.45pm 9.30pm with coffee break Course dates: 25 November; 2 and 9 December; 13, 20 and 27 January Tutor: Mukti Barton * Venue: The Queen s Foundation This course offers a chance for all people (not only Black and Asian) to see how race, gender and class affect our knowledge and interpretation of the Bible. We shall see how the theological contexts and experiences of different groups of people contribute to the Theology of Liberation. Insights from the wider world are brought into the course to inform and challenge the way theology is seen in Britain. (Limited Availability: please book early. It is not possible to do assessed work for this module.) 7

8 SPRING INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT 10 Monday evenings: with a coffee break Course dates: 12 Jan 23 Mar 2015 Half term break: 16 February Tutor: Eva Guenther Venue: 1 Colmore Row This module will give an overview over the books and genres of the New Testament including the gospels, Acts, Paul s letters and other letters, Revelation. In each session we will focus on one particular book and study a key issue it deals with such as the Messiah, the Sermon on the Mount, the Mission to the Gentiles, justification of the sinners, expectations of God s new world. The course will also include some consideration of the authorship, the sources and reliability of the NT texts. 5. STUDIES IN A GOSPEL: MARK 10 Monday evenings: 7.15 pm 9.15 pm with coffee break Course dates: 12 January 23 March 2015 Half term break: 16 February Tutor: Liz Howlett Venue: 1 Colmore Row Mark is the gospel followed in the lectionary this year. It is the shortest of the gospels and for a long time was overshadowed by the others. More recently, it has come to be recognized and valued as a key early Christian work. What are the main themes in Mark s Gospel? Content will include: Mark s portrayal of Jesus; the significance of beginnings and endings; Mark s gospel as story; discipleship; apocalyptic in the gospel; Galilee and Jerusalem: geography and/or theology?; and the Passion. 8

9 6. CROSS AND SALVATION 7 Tuesday evenings: 6.45 pm 9.30pm with coffee break Course dates: 3 February 24 March 2015 Half term break: 17 February Tutor: to be confirmed * Venue: The Queen s Foundation The idea of salvation is one of the most prominent themes of Christian thought and practice. In this module we look at some of the key issues that theologians have struggled with in constructing a theology of salvation and some of the ways in which salvation has been envisaged. The course focuses, in particular, on four questions: what it is that human beings need to be saved from; how Christ is thought to be saviour; what difference Christ s saving work makes; and who/what is saved by Christ? The course aims to exemplify the diversity of soteriological views that are found amongst Christian theologians; encourage the development of a systematic theological approach to the issue; and assist students in strengthening their academic skills. (Limited Availability: please book early. It is not possible to do assessed work for this module.) 9

10 SUMMER SCIENCE AND THEOLOGY 10 Monday evenings: pm Course dates: 27 April 6 July 2015 Half term break: 25 May Tutor: Julian Phillips Venue: 1 Colmore Row Scientific discoveries and technological development happen with ever increasing frequency, whether it is the discovery of the Higgs Boson or the vaguely frightening prospect of nanomachines. How do Christians relate to these discoveries and developments? Are they regarded as purely secular, having no impact on Christian life and no relevance to Christian theology? Is the scientific world totally separate from the worshipping community? Or do the two worlds interact? And, where is God in the scientific world? This course will explore these and other questions by looking at some of the latest developments in science and technology and exploring what the Bible has to say that might be appropriate, that might inform Christian attitudes and that might shape a Christian response. The course does not require any specialist or technical knowledge. 8. READING PAUL S LETTERS 10 Thursday mornings: 10 am 12 noon Course dates: 30 April 9 July 2015 Half term break: 28 May Tutor: Caroline Wickens Venue: 1 Colmore Row Paul founded new churches in some of the biggest cities of the Roman empire, and then needed to help the people unpack the meaning of the Gospel in these cosmopolitan urban centres. This course will seek to explore Paul's theological thinking in the context of the social and economic situation of his time, and to consider what we can learn from him about methods of applying the Gospel in our own situation. 10

11 HOW TO ENROL FOR THESE COURSES When you have decided which courses you wish to take, please fill in the Enrolment Form. There are a number of courses to choose from each term. Please put a tick by the course(s) you wish to take. If you are willing to take another option if your first choice is full, please indicate with a 2 or 3. These courses have proved very popular, and early booking is advised. As soon as we are able, we will confirm your place. FEES For each course the fee is 80. You may pay for one term at a time. Please enclose the fee for the Autumn Term with your enrolment form. Payment is due at least four weeks before the course begins. A reminder will be sent. It is not possible to begin a course without having first paid the fee. Please send your enrolment form and course fee (cheques payable to BDBF) to: Andrea Stevens, (Learning for Discipleship) Church of England, Birmingham 1 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2BJ If you have any further questions please phone Andrea Stevens at this office on or contact us by a.stevens@birmingham.anglican.org 11

12 ASSESSMENT To complete a course by having written work assessed by your tutor costs an extra 15 per course payable to BDBF. You will be informed at the start of the term when this payment is due. Please do not send this money with your enrolment form. LOCATION OF 1 Colmore Row, B3 2B For courses 3, and 6, the venue is the Queen s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education which is in Somerset Road, Edgbaston. Queen s is located near to the BMI Edgbaston Hospital which is quite well signposted once you get close to Edgbaston. It can be reached by rail via the University station or local bus or by car. We will send you more detailed travel directions and larger maps when we confirm your booking. June