Course Description
Church and Christian faith practices are in the midst of critical sea-change made all the more intense and unsettling by the Covid 19 pandemic. Navigating this contemporary cultural change presents opportunities and challenges for effective Christian discipleship, to re-imagine and experiment in both ancient and new vessels. This course will use biblical and theological perspectives combined with insights from history and the social sciences to provide portals through which to understand and engage with an increasingly disruptive environment. It will include exploring a range of creative expressions of Christian life for both individuals and communities this Advent, and equip people for spiritual renewal in diverse local contexts.
This is an open access course available as a 10-credit course (accredited by the University of Glasgow) or audit-only for those who just wish to engage with the learning programme for their own personal benefit.
Church and Christian faith practices are in the midst of critical sea-change made all the more intense and unsettling by the Covid 19 pandemic. Navigating this contemporary cultural change presents opportunities and challenges for effective Christian discipleship, to re-imagine and experiment in both ancient and new vessels. This course will use biblical and theological perspectives combined with insights from history and the social sciences to provide portals through which to understand and engage with an increasingly disruptive environment. It will include exploring a range of creative expressions of Christian life for both individuals and communities this Advent, and equip people for spiritual renewal in diverse local contexts.
This is an open access course available as a 10-credit course (accredited by the University of Glasgow) or audit-only for those who just wish to engage with the learning programme for their own personal benefit.
Short Courses
Learning and Development
with Trinity College Glasgow and the University of Glasgow
About
Short courses are accessible learning opportunities in practical theology, church ministry and mission for a rapidly changing world. They are suitable for learners from a wide variety of backgrounds. They are designed for many kinds of leaders and members across churches who want to learn in their spare time. Learners can opt to undertake assessments and thus qualify for 10 credit points per course towards a Higher Education certificate or other University of Glasgow approved theology programmes, or alternatively audit for their own personal benefit.
2024 Short Courses
LEADING IN CHURCH CHANGE - A MASTERS LEVEL COURSE
18th April - 13th June, 2024
Thursdays, online
This online course, conducted within a supportive cohort, will assist recognised pastoral leaders/clergy to evaluate their critical change challenges, engage with recent organisational change practice and equip with tools and perspectives for faithful and strategic responses.
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ELDERS IN CHANGING CONTEXTS
1st February - 28th March, 2024
This course explores the role of local leaders in the Church of Scotland and other Reformed churches. It examines how changed circumstances and the mission calling of the church reshapes the calling and tasks of elders and local leaders in the congregation, and what this looks like, especially in the midst of difficult church change.
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LITURGY & PRAYER IN CHRSITIAN WORSHIP
17th January - 20th March, 2024
This course develops participant skills in planning, writing and producing worship materials including spoken liturgies and prayer, and leading these in the context of Christian Worship.
HISTORY AND THEOLOGY OF WORSHIP
Monday 22nd January - Monday 18th March, 2024
This course introduces students to the history and theology of Christian worship. It provides an understanding of the development of current forms of Christian worship, the nature of sacramental distinctions, and new sources and ecumenical confluences in 20th- and 21st-century worship. It provides perspectives which will underpin future worship practice and the development of advanced worship leading skills.
What participants are saying about our short courses:
“Overall, with the subject matter, there was a very good progression of thinking, excellent use of the resources of people who write about this subject, giving confidence to research yourself.”
“As a person who has not been in education for many years I enjoyed the informality of zoom classes.”
“Just a short note to thank you both directly for your leadership, direction and syllabus preparation during the 10 weeks of the course. I found it both practically beneficial in not just my Church life but also in my own day job and intellectually stimulating throughout.”
“The material had obviously been well researched and was very current and relevant to the current situation in which the Church finds itself.”
“It was a thoroughly practical course which was undergirded by both experience and relevant theory and theology.”
“The course leaders were warm and welcoming each week and the guest lecturers certainly peaked my overall interest. Meeting in this way to study has made me eager to do more in the future.”
“I was very impressed by the professionalism along with the encompassment of the spiritual aspects which can often get overlooked in academia.”
“For me there was the bonus that we worked at a `live' project all the way through, and what we did as individuals had real time impact.”
Previous courses include:
CONTEMPORARY VISUAL ART AND CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
*REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED*
This course explores and develops the role of contemporary visual art in Christian worship. Taking practical, creative and theological approaches, this course seeks to expand and cultivate imaginations, and stimulate churches and Christian worship in new ways, especially in these changing times.
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MINISTRY & MISSION IN DIGITAL CULTURE
*REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED*
This course offers a way of engaging cultural challenges to faith and Christian practice since the rise of digital media and the recent rapid move into church presence online. Digital opportunities for mission and ministry will be explored along with skill development in crafting material for the online environment.
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CREATIVE WRITING AS SPIRITUAL REFLECTION
*REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED*
This course will enable and support the use of creative writing as a means of theological reflection upon personal, spiritual and contemporary experience. By the end of the course, participants will have produced a piece of creative writing and a critical reflection.
DESIGNING & LEADING CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
*REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED*
Become more skilled at designing and leading meaningful, participatory acts of church worship. A practical introduction to designing and leading Christian worship utilising theologically rich patterns and practices and adapting these to participants contemporary church context.
LISTENING IN MISSION
*REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED*
This course explores the practice and theology of listening, reflection and research within local communities in order to develop church skills in mission attentiveness. The course is designed to introduce activities, spiritual practices and practical steps that can be deployed in a local church or a pioneering mission setting.
PREACHING IN CHURCH CONTEXTS
*REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED*
This creative, practical and stimulating course will help you to develop as a preacher through reflection on why and how we preach. We will explore the relationships between the form of biblical texts and the sermons we preach on them, as well as reflecting on delivery, style and method. A key feature of the course is the opportunity to learn from tutor and peer feedback on sermons preached in class.