Oak Hill newsletter
SUMMER 2019
INTRODUCING FLEXIBLE LEARNING AT OAK HILL We’re thrilled to announce a fresh initiative at Oak Hill, with the launch this month of Flexible Learning courses. The courses open up our expertise and experience in biblical and theological training to Christians who want to deepen and strengthen their faith in the Lord Jesus. For this launch, we’re offering 26 courses, making it possible for Christian believers to pursue in-depth study in areas such as apologetics, homiletics, biblical theology, cross-cultural ministry, New Testament Greek, missiology, oakhill.ac.uk/newsletter 1
and other subject areas. Those who enrol for individual courses will enjoy the experience of learning alongside our full time and part time students, as they participate in lectures and seminars with our faculty and teaching staff on the Oak Hill campus. Dan Strange, our College Director, says: ‘This year, more than ever, I’ve been struck by how hungry people are for faithful theological teaching and training. In our superficial sound-bite world, disciples of Jesus are longing for a substantial diet that will send them out on full stomachs to serve God in the places where he has called them. That’s why we are opening up our rigorous and relevant theological education and making it available for Christians who want to grow in faith, serve the church, and reach the world.’ Participants on the courses are able to choose the level of study which suits them best, either by attending/auditing the courses, or by taking them for credits which are nationally recognised and transferable.
PLEASE PRAY WITH US Prayer is at the heart of our community life at Oak Hill: in the daily chapel services, in fellowship groups, and in lectures. Knowing that our friends and former students are praying for us is a huge encouragement. That’s why we regularly post our prayer and praise requests on the website, and also in the PrayerMate app. Thank you for praying for us. For our current prayer requests, visit: oakhill.ac.uk/pray-for-us
Apologetics I Explore apologetic approaches, study objections to the Christian faith, and learn to engage practically in apologetic encounters.
Word of God: New Testament (John’s Gospel) Spend a year in John’s Gospel, as we seek to understand the text, and to apply the insights we gain to pastoral situations.
We also have a special offer for Oak Hill alumni. During the 2019/20 academic year, alumni are able to take one module (up to a maximum of 20 credits) for free. Our hope and prayer is that Flexible Learning at Oak Hill will make theological education more widely available for Christian believers, enabling them to be effective and engaged wherever they are serving God – in the home, house group, church, and at work. We also hope the courses will be taken up for continuing formation and development by church leaders who are already serving in ministry. Please pray with us that this initiative will result in Christians and churches which are more deeply rooted in God’s word, and better equipped to witness to a needy world. See videos and learn more about Oak Hill’s Flexible Learning courses in our new section of the College website: oakhill.ac.uk/flexible-learning
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PLUGGED IN Dan Strange’s new book, Plugged In, is all about ‘connecting your faith with what you watch, read, and play’, Published in May, the early reviews have been very positive and sales have been strong. The book has achieved an Amazon ‘bestseller tag’ in the categories of Evangelism and Christian social issues, and has sold out, with a second printing expected in both the UK and US markets.
KIRSTY BIRKETT
Says Dan: ‘We engage culture because we care about Jesus, follow Jesus, and tell others about Jesus. Plugged In not only gives this a biblical and theological rationale, but is also a practical ‘how to’ guide. I hope and pray that the book will be a useful resource to Christians in the UK and beyond.’ See Dan’s article about Plugged In in the new edition of Commentary.
Revd Dr Kirsten Birkett will be leaving Oak Hill in the summer to take up a position (subject to Bishop’s licensing) as Associate Minister at St Paul’s Hadley Wood. Kirsty has been at College since 2005, and over that time has been a much valued member and servant of the College through all our ups and downs, joys and sadnesses. In her 14 years she’s taught in a myriad of subjects: pastoral care and counselling, youth and children’s work, apologetics, history and doctrine, ethics, and philosophy and science. She has also been our Academic Dean and Lecturer with Responsibility for Learning Architecture. Throughout this time she has continued to write a number of articles, chapters and books which have built upon her reputation as an author that she brought to college when she was appointed. Kirsty was ordained into the Church of England as a member of the teaching faculty and served out her curacy with Mike Ovey, and then Tim Ward, as teaching incumbent. For the last few years, she has been a part-time lecturer as well as Research Fellow for the Latimer Trust. Kirsty says, ‘I consider Oak Hill College to be the best theological college in Europe, and I pray for its continuing influence in training ministers for service in the Kingdom of God.’ It’s great to know that Kirsty will be nearby and we’re sure she’ll continue to have a fruitful relationship with Oak Hill. We thank God for her, for her time here, and pray for her new opportunities in the service in God’s kingdom. oakhill.ac.uk/newsletter 3
OPEN MORNINGS Come to an Open Morning to find out what life and learning at Oak Hill is like first-hand. Our next mornings are on the following Saturdays, from 10.00am to 2.30pm: 7 December 2019 14 March 2020 25 April 2020 For more details and booking, visit: oakhill.ac.uk/open-mornings
Oak Hill College Chase Side Southgate London N14 4PS Phone: 020 8449 0467 Website: oakhill.ac.uk
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OAK HILL SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY 2019 IN HIS IMAGE Our annual School of Theology takes place on Tuesday 9 July this year, followed by two days of Language Refreshers on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 July. David Shaw writes: The story of humanity in the 21st century is a tragic tale of confusion and anxiety. Who are we? What value do we have? What divides us and what unites us? Are we gods, or cogs in a wheel? Villians or victims? Last year, the Oak Hill School of Theology explored the biblical theme of humanity made in the image of God. In 2019, we are taking that work and building it into a theological and pastoral response to some of the leading challenges of our day. In the plenary sessions, Oak Hill faculty will be reflecting on the implications of our humanity in culture, theology and discipleship. And in seminars, several Oak Hill graduates will explore how the image of God connects to race, class and gender, and what that means for the life and witness of the church. At the time of going to press, over 70 people have booked a place, and we’re looking forward to a highly stimulating day. Please join us in praying that this year’s School of Theology will equip and enthuse us for 21st century ministry.