Wtc Prospectus 2009

Training for

Kingdom Ministry

Leadership

& Mission

v

Prospectus 2009

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“I wanted a theological framework that could make reasoned sense of tradition and charismatic experiences. WTC did this for me.”

Introducing

Alwyn – Youth church leader

Rev John Coles

Contents Courses Overview

Page 04

Curriculum Content

Page 06

Delivery Overview

Page 08

How do I apply?

Page 09

Faculty

Page 10

Pattern of Study

Page 12

Qualification outline

Page 13

Further Information

Page 14

Dr Crispin Fletcher-Louis

About 10 years ago some of us sensed that God wanted to create a new training resource that would serve the Charismatic churches in the UK with a kingdom-focused theology. In 2006 a number of theological educators and church leaders from around the world started to talk with renewed vigour about intentional cooperation. Westminster Theological Centre (WTC) and leaders of New Wine quickly sensed a common purpose; God was bringing together ministries and birthing something new. WTC has grown out of the experience of theological training delivered in the local church context that began when Crispin Fletcher-Louis started work as Resident Theologian at St Mary’s Bryanston Square, in September 2004. WTC is dedicated to the delivery of robust theology and training that equips local churches for the growth of Jesus’ Kingdom; and since its foundation in 2006, has trained students in degree-level theology. The result is nearly five years’ experience of the needs, challenges and opportunities of the context of a local church focused on mission and church planting.

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Westminster Theological Centre and the New Wine Training Partnership

Church history suggests that significant movements of God are stimulated by a convergence of theological content, ministry and mission. Often theological exploration has been taken up with concerns removed from the front line of Church life in the power of the Spirit. But at times of renewal and revival, theological content and training becomes aligned to the needs and character of God’s kingdom manifestation and church growth. In the 18th Century, England was swept by a revival initiated by a group of Oxfordeducated and highly literate evangelists: the Wesleys preached outside the confines of existing church structures and emptied the gin-halls of the downtrodden working classes who became intoxicated by God’s love and his Spirit. In the first half of the same century in New England the Great Awakening was accompanied by many signs of the Spirits presence and was led by the philosopher-theologian Jonathan Edwards. In our own time, the recovery of Jesus’ message and the experience of God’s kingdom was spearheaded by the late John Wimber, a onetime member of the teaching faculty of Fuller Theological Seminary (in California). At these times of renewal there has been a growth in confidence in God’s power, obedience to his word and, simultaneously a renewed clarity of theological perception focused on Jesus (his words, deeds and personal presence).

...we are offering local churches and individuals the opportunity to invest time and energy in training that equips the whole Body of Christ to see Jesus’ Kingdom grow. In creating the New Wine Training Partnership (NWTP) we are offering local churches and individuals the opportunity to invest time and energy in training that equips the whole Body of Christ to see Jesus’ Kingdom grow. We hope you will join us in this venture, and the pages that follow outline the training on offer.

Yours

Rev John Coles Director, New Wine May 2009

& Dr Crispin Fletcher-Louis Principal, WTC

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Courses Overview

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“I wanted to be equipped for leadership in every way. The course has taught me to read the Bible, expanded my imagination and made me hungry to understand Scripture better. I’ve been so excited and inspired by what I’ve learnt I just want more. I love the God I’m discovering!” Jenny - A development charity worker

We are offering three courses; one at undergraduate entry level and two for graduates. The Undergraduate Certificate in Kingdom Theology is a fully accredited level 4* course (equivalent to a first year as an undergraduate at university). This course has 120-credit units and takes two years to complete.

1. A Two-Year Undergraduate Certificate in Kingdom Theology: 120 Credits undertaken half-time (an average of circa 12 hours per week over one year) We are not currently offering a full-time undergraduate level study course. However, study on the 120-credit course may be taken for just one year. In this case, students will have undertaken work across all core subjects (biblical theology, ministry and leadership, spirituality and church history and mission) and then will have 60 credits that can be transferred to another tertiary education study programme (and that will, for example, count towards ordination training). The Undergraduate Certificate is the first level of a full BA course that will be rolled out over the coming years. * Please note that tertiary education levels have recently been re-numbered. The new level 4 is the old level 1 and the new level 6 is the old level 3.

The Graduate Certificate in Kingdom Theology is a fully accredited level 6* course. The student attains a level of competence equivalent to that of a full BA course (and may then proceed to study towards an MA or similar qualification). This course has 120-credit units and takes two years to complete if working half-time; one year if students study full-time. So, there are two Graduate courses for which students can apply:

2. A Two-Year Graduate Certificate in Kingdom Theology: 120 Credits, undertaken half-time.

3. A One-Year Graduate Certificate in Kingdom Theology: 120 Credits, undertaken full-time. The Graduate Certificate is the first level of a full MA course that will be rolled out over the coming years. The core subjects covered at Undergraduate and Graduate levels are the same. Graduate content and assessment is at a higher level and takes for granted the study, communication and conceptual skills attained during a first degree. Undergraduate and Graduate Courses share broadly the same aims and these govern the overall shape of the curriculum and the content of individual modules.

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Curriculum Content Core Subjects

Old Testament & New Testament

Spirituality & Church History

Doctrine

Old and New Testaments are studied with a focus on the overarching biblical story that climaxes in God’s Kingdom announcement and enactment in Jesus. Students are introduced to the key themes of Scripture—creation, God’s work in history, the fall and the saving work of Jesus in the incarnation and at the cross, eschatology, ecclesiology, pneumatology. There is a special focus on the ways in which, going back to the original purpose in creation, God’s people are created for his glory in mission, service and for the proclamation and works of the Kingdom. You will be given tools for lifelong study of Scripture and models to help you apply God’s word to everyday life challenges, ministry and leadership.

Church History is approached with a focus on spirituality and an appreciation for the ways in which God has continued to work in the church and in the world down through the ages. We read some classics in the history of Christian spirituality, discovering the ways in which they help us face the challenges of life today: life in the Spirit, life in community, pastoral care, leadership and growth into Christ’s character.

Students are introduced to the history and biblical shape of Christian doctrine especially as this inspires our vision for Christian worship, prayer, discipleship and mission and as it guides our thinking about the nature of healthy church and life in the Spirit. Down through the centuries great minds with big hearts have helped the church think in an organised way about God and his ways in the world. The questions these theologians faced are as pressing today as they were in the 3rd and 16th centuries. The classics in Christian Doctrine lead us deeper into worship of God for his wisdom and power.

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“Studying at WTC has been mind stretching, relational and empowering. ” Adam - Ordinand

Missiology

Leadership, Ministry, Mission and Personal Formation

The theology and practice of mission is taught by specialists with decades of personal experience of mission, evangelism and church growth. The focus is on the challenge and inspiration of all that God is doing in our own time, the lessons of history and core concepts and debates in mission studies. Particular attention is paid to: the relationship between proclamation and action; the understanding of mission in the Pentecostal and Charismatic traditions; the role of advocacy and pursuit of justice; the nature of mission in a post-modern and pluralistic context and the study of church growth and models of church planting. What you learn in the classroom is accompanied by first-hand experience of a mission or evangelism project.

All our courses include teaching for personal formation, for ministry and for leadership; in both the Church and in the life-place. This means practical training that equips students with an understanding, for example, of team leadership, conflict management, vision casting, communication skills, the nature of power, how to develop enterprise strategies, organisational health and growth and the nature of ministry in the power of the Spirit. Training for ministry and leadership is set within the context of a personal investment in spiritual disciplines (prayer, Bible study, hospitality, worship, service, fasting), comprehending individual motivational strengths and weaknesses, selfleadership, and the nature of relationships and of life in the community.

“The focus of the teaching is so pioneering, it was refreshing and challenging in equal measure.” Tim – Ordained Minister

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Delivery Overview

1. Residential Weeks 14 - 18th September 2009 22 - 26th February 2010 5-day teaching blocks (September and February for half-time students, plus November and July for full-time students).

2. Web-based Delivery Weekly teaching via remote web-based presentation delivered from the Centre into the local church Hub during three 8-week term blocks.

3. Local Tutors

Up to 30 hours’ teaching by local tutors of material specifically for the local church context.

The residential teaching blocks provide an opportunity for all students from across the country to come together. The weeks include academic classroom time, practical training from specialists and the opportunity to grow with others from across the country in the context of ministry and worship. Most of the time students will attend the course as part of a group based in local ‘Hubs’ scattered across the UK. A Hub is made up of one or more churches hosting the teaching, and providing placements for student interns. These Hub groups meet on a weekly basis for teaching, to worship together and grow as a learning community applying God’s Word into their life-place. Teaching in the Hub is a combination of web-based lectures that provide audio-visual access to a remote lecturer delivering core theological content; and delivery of material by local tutors that is particularly tailored to the local context that the Hub is operating within.

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“Through the teaching I found a new way to talk about what I do - how my work fits into the incredible story of what God has done through history, and what he is doing through us in our world today. It has been engaging, subverting, surprising, challenging and transforming.” Anna - International Development Adviser

How do I apply to study on a WTC course? Are you attending a NWTP Hub Church? No Are you living close to a Hub Church? Yes Do you want to be an intern in your own Church? No Do you want to apply for a place as an intern with a Church?

Yes Do you want to be an intern in this Church? Yes Speak to your Church leadership and if they are happy, complete their intern form and the NWTP Application Form No Read details of Course requirements. Discuss with your Church Leader & complete NWTP Application Form

Yes Complete NWTP Application Form indicating any preferences of Hub location and particular ministry interests you have No Are you prepared to travel to a Hub to study?

No Contact WTC to register your interest for future years

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Faculty

Dr Crispin Fletcher-Louis

Dr Bob Ekblad

studied at Oxford as an undergraduate and also as a post-graduate, writing a dissertation on angelology in Luke and Acts. He has taught at King’s College London, Durham and Nottingham Universities and has published widely in the areas of New Testament studies and the historical context of earliest Christianity. In 2004 he became Resident Theologian at St Mary’s Bryanston Square, a large, mission-focused Anglican church in Central London and in 2006 helped establish Westminster Theological Centre. He has been in active church leadership for twenty years and is married to Mary, with two children (Emily is 7 and Reuben is 5).

(www.bobekblad.com) is a Biblical Theologian with a unique experience of 25 years of mission in South America, Africa and North America. He works with the poor and ethnic minorities, especially in prisons and combines a commitment to advocacy and justice with ministry in the power of the Spirit and the critical role of Signs and Wonders. He is a visiting lecturer at WTC and Regent College, Vancouver, is an international speaker and has written three books, the latest of which - A New Christian Manifesto: Pledging Allegiance to the Kingdom of God (2008) - explores the coming together of the Spirit, the ‘Word’ and the Street as the location of the Kingdom’s presence.

Dr Peter Fitch

Dr Chuck Coker

teaches Spirituality & Church History for WTC and Biblical Studies and Ministry Studies at St Stephen’s University, a small University with strong Vineyard and New Wine connections in New Brunswick in Canada (www.ssu.ca). He specialises in the retrieval of resources for a dynamic and healthy life of discipleship from the depths of the Christian tradition across the centuries. He is also a pastor at St Croix Vineyard in St Stephen.

is head of Human Capital in a US technology company that has grown rapidly in the last 10 years, he is founder and head of a Christian martial arts outreach ministry and ordained Baptist Pastor. He has 20+ years involvement in Theological Education and brings to WTC an expertise in the understanding of human development and the spirituality of the workplace.

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“The most significant thing is that I no longer feel that all the questions I have must be tidied up and answered before I can be a ‘real’ Christian. I can have faith and hope in the face of many difficult and complex issues.” Ruth – Jewellery maker/Engraver

Dr Flint McGlaughlin

Dr Rob Barrett

(www.flintmcglaughlin.com) is a business leader and a Theologian with a background in Philosophy who currently serves as: Director of MECLABS (an Inc. 500 group of research companies), co-pastor at The Beaches Vineyard, Jacksonville Florida and Director of Enterprise Research at Transforming Business (a Research Unit at the University of Cambridge). Flint oversees a number of research projects and teaches in the fields of leadership, organisational health and growth, and what it means for business—or work in the life-place—to be both worship and mission.

studied theology at Regent College (Vancouver, British Columbia) before moving to Durham (UK) to write a doctorate under Prof. Walter Moberly on Political Theology and the book of Deuteronomy. Rob began his formal theological training in a church-based programme while working in the marketplace (as an IBM research scientist) and is passionate about the role for theological education within the church. Rob has worked for WTC since 2007, and is currently a visiting lecturer whilst studying monotheism in Isaiah as a postdoctoral fellow at Georg-August-Universität in Göttingen, Germany. He is married to Crystal and has two adorable little daughters, Ellie and Isla.

Dr Alana Taylor studied theology at North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota before coming to Birmingham University to do research on creative methods of biblical language learning and teaching. She sings in Greek, writes her shopping lists in Greek, enjoys reading lexicons and whenever she learns a new language she likes to invent soap opera dialogues in the language to entertain herself. She also loves cartoons and martial arts. Experienced local church leaders will contribute to leadership and personal formation training.

Revd Chris Pemberton (New Wine Training Director)

Chris has been vicar of St Mary Bredin, in Canterbury, Kent, since 1998 and is one of the leaders of New Wine. He has a background in marketing and worked with Dunlop Holdings, London before ordination in 1984. Before moving to Canterbury, he was involved in local church leadership at St Luke’s, Maidstone, Kent (four years) and St Aldate’s, Oxford (ten years) where he worked as a chaplain in the University and taught part-time at Wycliffe Hall, an Anglican theological college.

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Pattern of study 1-Sep-09 Induction

AUTUMN TERM R1

Prep

Hub Teaching

21-Dec-09

18-Dec-09 Hub Teaching

SPRING TERM

Christmas Holiday

Hub Teaching

12-Apr-10 Study Weeks

Study Weeks

Study Weeks R2

9-Apr-10 Hub Teaching

SUMMER TERM Hub Teaching

Study Weeks

The academic year starts formally in the third week of September 2009 when students come together from across the UK for 5 days intensive residential teaching (14th to 18th September). In the first two weeks of September students have an opportunity for formal and informal induction into their Hub churches. The first Residential is followed by a pattern of 4-weeks’ teaching followed by 2-weeks’ study leave. At the end of each study leave period a piece of work needs to be submitted. There are 6 pieces of work to be completed during the academic year (for part-time students). This is a mixture of essays and written reflections alongside portfolios of evidence of ministry and leadership. During Hub Teaching Weeks, students will have 3 hours of classroom time per week.

Study Weeks

Hub Teaching

Easter Hol.

30-Jul-10 Study Weeks Summer Hol.

Key dates are: First residential teaching block 14th to 18th September 2009 Christmas Holiday 21st December 2009 to 8th January 2010 Second residential teaching block 22nd to 26th February 2010 Easter Holiday 29th March to 9th April 2010 Summer Holiday starts 19th July 2010 Full time students will have two additional residential teaching blocks 9th to 13th November 2009 and 5th to 9th July 2010.

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“Concepts and image-systems which appear throughout the Bible - humanity made in the image of God, the Son of Man, the temple, the Genesis narrative - have gone from being familiar weirdnesses, to hugely engaging and exciting in their contextualised and applied meaning. I suddenly have a vocabulary to understand (and explain and explore) the Bible that I simply didn’t have before. This is extremely exciting and empowering, both personally and in my work.” Debs – Film-maker

Qualification outline Undergraduate Studies

Graduate Studies

WTC Courses

Qualifications leading to award of Masters Degree Qualifications leading to award of Bachelors Degree

Masters Degree

Year 1

Year 2

120 Credits Graduate

Bachelors Degree

Graduate Certificate

120 Credits

120 Credits

F/T Certificate

120 Credits P/T Graduate Certificate

Diploma in Higher Education

120 Credits

120 Credits P/T Certificate of Higher

Certificate of Higher Education 120 Credits

Education 120 Credits Foundation

P/T Certificate

60 Credits

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Further information

WTC is part of the New Wine Training Partnership set up in conjunction with New Wine and local churches to deliver theological training courses accredited by the University of Wales, Lampeter. The New Wine Training Partnership (NWTP) is focused on equipping local churches to see Jesus’ kingdom grow.

Who are the courses for? These courses are designed for Christians in active ministry and leadership. They are suited to anyone working part-time (whether paid or voluntary) in a local church or para-church organisation, especially as interns; and for mature Christians able to dedicate time to deeper theological training.

Why should I study with WTC? We have created accredited courses that are designed for individual personal growth in character, vision, purpose and a foundational theological understanding. You will be equipped for more effective ministry and leadership with a deeper grounding in God’s word and in the life of the Spirit.

Who accredits the courses? All students who complete 120-credits will gain a University of Wales Lampeter Certificate (either at Level 4 if you are a first time Undergraduate, or level 6 if you are a Graduate who is ready for a more challenging introduction to Theology).

What are the qualifications required for entry on to the courses? If you are over 25 you do not need to have any ‘A’ Levels to qualify. If you are under 25 and have another degree you qualify. If you are under 25 and have at least 180 GCE ‘A’ Level points (eg three ‘C’s) or equivalent, you qualify. There are two courses to suit your ability and prior experience of life, informal theological study and university-level training. (1) The Graduate Certificate is specifically for students who have a first degree and who are now ready for a more challenging introduction to degree level theology. The Graduate Certificate leads straight on to an MA. (2) The Undergraduate Certificate is for anyone who does not yet have a degree or for graduates of other subjects who want an entry-level introduction to theology.

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“It’s like prising open boxes of fireworks, letting them off one by one and discussing the fall-out in the presence of a committed tutor, other inquiring students, and the Holy Spirit.” Jeremy – Documentary maker

What support will I have? At an academic level, you will have a local Hub library with all key and supporting textbooks for your course. Additionally you will have online access to considerable resources at the University of Wales Lampeter (UWL), and your student card from UWL will give you access to other libraries throughout the UK. You will have support and guidance from your tutors to help with completion of assessed work. On a personal level you will have access to mentoring and support from your Hub church as well as being part of a learning community with the other students based at your Hub.

(4) The course will significantly contribute to the development of a Christ-like character and skills in leadership, ministry and mission.

Can I study Biblical languages? There is an option to study Greek and Hebrew. If you are interested in this, please state this on your application form.

What are some of the key features of these courses? -

Orthodox Biblical Study in a context of worship and prayer

What should I expect to gain by the end of the course?

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Charismatic emphasis to the teaching

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A local church base for the students

(1) As well as a university level qualification…

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An apprentice/mentor model of learning

(2) You should have a confident grasp of a biblical worldview that you are able to clearly communicate to others and can humbly, and under the guidance of the Spirit, apply to the opportunities and challenges of a life of discipleship.

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Teaching that embodies the values of New Wine

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Training for the life-place (leaders in all spheres of life learning together)

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Theological educators working alongside church leaders to deliver training that effectively equips the local church

(3) The course will equip you with a clear foundational understanding of the biblical, historical and doctrinal character of the call to a life of service, mission and leadership in the church and in the world; and

A: 245 Old Marylebone Road London NW1 5QT W: www.wtctheology.org.uk In partnership with:

T: 030 0040 6200 E: [email protected] Westminster Theological Centre is a company registered in England and Wales number 6506007 and a registered charity number 1123573