Tag: urban training

Healthy theological training – learning from the strengths and weaknesses of the college system

In my last post on the topic I reflected on the way in which theological college helped because: In effect these two things are closely linked. We want to make sure that if training happens primarily in house that this does not happen in a silo. First of all, Theological Colleges and academics have a… Continue reading Healthy theological training – learning from the strengths and weaknesses of the college system

Are you meant to be church planting?

Regular readers will know that my big concern is to see churches planted in the West Midlands, especially in urban priority areas (inner city and estates). I would love to hear from anyone who might be interested. I’m not asking for people to turn up with a definitive plan. Rather, what I’d love to see… Continue reading Are you meant to be church planting?

Does the health of the church depend on the health of its colleges?

James Robson thinks so.  In Evangelicals Now he quotes John Stott on this favourably.  Do I agree? Well, I think that the answer is “yes and no” depending on what is meant. Stott was speaking  from a perspective where Anglican clergy to a man (it was men for most of his life) went through formal… Continue reading Does the health of the church depend on the health of its colleges?

What competencies are we looking for in urban planters/pastors?

One of my aims is to find potential urban church planters and then to support and equip them through training, mentoring and coaching.  Coupled with my concern to see new churches  or revitalised churches in communities where there currently isn’t much of a healthy gospel witness is the desire to see many more people equipped… Continue reading What competencies are we looking for in urban planters/pastors?

Could you be a church planter?

I’m consistently on the look out for potential church planters to come and join us here in the West Midlands.  There is a particular need for people who are willing to go into inner city, council estate and multi-ethnic cross-cultural contexts. Whilst conventional church planting involves gathering together a significant sized core team, often from… Continue reading Could you be a church planter?