Ministry within Christian Community

Only students who can attend the residential days are able to select this module.  Please note that the fee for this module includes two full teaching days at College, ongoing support throughout the duration of the module, marking of assignments, and coffee, lunch and tea provided on both study days. 

Please note these study days will be held between March and May. Dates will be provided nearer the time.

Participants will be asked to share their personal journeys and to experience the process of forming relationships with each other in the context of a safe community.

A psychological model will be presented which will provide a framework for understanding these stories and creating authentic relationships. Through experience participants will discover the importance of integrating their psychological and spiritual journeys in order to help others.

Biblical understandings of community will be explored, and a number of psychological theories will be presented with the aim of discovering how these ideas can inform biblical understandings of community and enable reflection on why communities encounter difficulties. We will also reflect on a theology of the healing love of the Holy Spirit.

A model of creating safe support in ministry will be explored and demonstrated, and a variety of support systems will be explained.

The residential component will consist of a seminar day at the beginning of the module during which a number of different approaches will be used. The principle method used in the sessions will be that of experiential learning and students will be expected to participate fully. The module will conclude with another seminar day, for which completion of the diary and essay is a prerequisite of attendance.

Please note that this module will next run in Spring 2012.