Oak Hill College
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The best possible gift by coming to one of our regular open
his church. Your work, over the course
mornings. You’ll be able to meet staff and
of your ministry, will be ‘to equip God’s
students, sample a selection of lectures,
people for works of service, so that the
ask the questions important to you and
body of Christ may be built up.’ You are
get a genuine feel for what we are like as a
there to protect God’s people from ‘every
community.
wind of false teaching’.
Why is theological education necessary?
Thanks for your interest in Oak Hill College. This prospectus will give you a
Here at Oak Hill, we want you to be
It’s a very good question to ask, especially
the best possible gift for Christ to give to
if you’re planning to spend so much of
his church. We believe that involves you
your time and resources in study and
growing to become more and more like
training. Whether you are considering
Jesus, as well as getting to know your
full-time or part-time study, this is a big
faith in depth and detail. We want you to
personal investment, and you deserve a
dedicate yourself to this time of training
big reason to make it.
so that you can continue to feed God’s
In one of the most inspiring passages
people in 10, 20 and 30 years time.
good introduction to our courses of study
of the book of Ephesians, we are told
and the many different choices they offer.
that when Christ ascended, he gave
to helping make that happen as we
gifts to his people. But what are these
serve you, and as together we serve the
for the word of God, our life together
gifts? Surprisingly, they are people. First
kingdom of God.
as a vibrant learning community, and
and foremost they are the apostles
our desire to help you love Jesus more
and prophets, but they are also ‘the
Mike Ovey
and receive the training you need for a
evangelists, the pastors and teachers’.
Principal, Oak Hill College
I hope it also communicates our passion
lifetime of gospel ministry. No prospectus can capture the whole picture, so I also hope you’ll follow up 2
If you are called to ministry, then you are in this list in Ephesians chapter 4. You are a gift which Christ is making to
And for our part, we are committed
4 To love God is to love his word
18 Theological and Pastoral Studies
29 The faculty
20 A mission module for all students
6 Pathways of study
34 Postgraduate study
22 Theology for
Crossing Cultures
12 An integrated
36 Studying part-time
curriculum
26 Theology and Praxis
for Children’s and Youth Ministry
14 Living and learning in community
28 Radically faithful, radically adaptable
38 Anglicans and
Independents
42 Next steps 3
To love God is to love his word Above everything else, Oak Hill wants you to love Jesus more. To love Jesus is to love to hear him speak, and therefore to love his word. That’s why Oak Hill provides time to help you focus on the Bible. Whether you’re studying the ethical dilemmas of today, the growth of church movements in history or best practice in counselling young people, the Bible and its teaching is at the centre of it all, integrating everything you learn. We do this because we want to see Christian leaders whose whole lives and ministries are worked out hearing and obeying the God who speaks through his word. We want you to be informed and shaped by the Old and New Testaments, so that you can go on to teach them faithfully and creatively to the people God entrusts to your care. The focus of our courses on learning to think biblically is a big attraction for many students.
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Greek and Hebrew
Oak Hill’s approach is ideally suited to anyone who loves the Bible and wants to understand it in depth. In the first two
While you’re at Oak Hill, you have the
years, you complete a survey of the Old
opportunity to study the Bible in its
and New Testaments, combined with in-
original languages of Hebrew and Greek.
depth studies of four key biblical books.
Doing that is invaluable not only for
Sam Ashton, a former student who
understanding the text of scripture, but
studied as an Anglican ordinand, said:
it will also enable you to bring out its
‘I came to Oak Hill to maximise my
amazing riches for others throughout
usefulness for Christ. While it seemed a
your ministry.
more natural fit to stay in a university
Greek is compulsory for the TPS and
town and do student ministry, I felt I needed to learn how to think for myself; how to think deeply and broadly about God’s word and God’s world, in order to teach faithfully, simply and relevantly; to know not just what others think, but why, and not just from books, but also from the joy of living in community with those from different traditions and backgrounds. I pray my training will increase my deployability beyond the educated white middle classes, making me more useful for Christ and his church in the long run.’
TCC streams, and many students elect to ‘I don’t know what the world is going to look like in 30 years’ time. But I do know the Bible is still going to be true, and the better I know the scriptures, and the better trained I have been up front, then the better equipped I will be to handle everything that comes my way.’ Ben Goldenberg, Independent student
study Hebrew as well. Duncan Forbes, a former Oak Hill student who leads a church on the Alton Estate in South London, says, ‘I’m a busy pastor. I have limited time and I would rather spend it meditating on the original words God breathed out than reading commentaries. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against commentaries, but when it’s the 11th hour, I’d sooner go to the Greek. In my experience, Greek and Hebrew are very useful in sermon prep.’
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Pathways of study Foundation Degree Arts in Theology
Our programmes In the programmes shown on the right, full-time course durations are shown red and part-time in white white in red, All years quoted are academic years of 10 months, except for the MA, which
The Foundation Degree Arts (FdA) in Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) in Theology 11 year year 2 years Foundation Degree Arts (FdA) in Theology 2 years 4 years
Theology is a two-year programme designed to help you understand the Bible and how it applies in contemporary culture. Like all foundation degrees, it focuses on work-based learning, which makes it ideal for integrating the three
Bachelor of Arts – BA (Hons) – in Theology 3 years 6 years
strands of academic study, personal
Master in Theology (MTheol) in
emphasis on unity. In the opening and
Theology, with specialisms in
closing terms there are modules which
Theological and Pastoral Studies
draw all the aspects of theology into an
specialise in one of three streams:
and Theology for Crossing Cultures 4 years 6 years (years 3
integrated and applied whole.
Theological and Pastoral Studies
and 4 are full-time only)
term, for instance, features different
has a duration of 12 months. Three streams Within the CertHE/FdA/BA (Hons) in Theology programmes, students
(TPS) page 18 Theology for Crossing Cultures
and Youth Ministry (TCY) page 26
Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Theology 1 year 2 years Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Theology 1 year 2 years
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The degree starts and ends with a strong
The Word of God module in the first faculty members showing how the Bible
Master of Arts (MA) in Theology1 1 year 2 years year
(TCC) page 22 Theology and Praxis for Children’s
formation and practical training.
informs their individual disciplines, including ethics, apologetics and biblical studies. A module on today’s culture gives you an understanding of current world-views in society today, which in turn helps you understand how to do ministry in the real world. These modules are accompanied
$ oakhill.ac.uk/programmes 7
by an introduction to youth and children’s
Women’s ministry
ministry, taken by all students, because we are convinced that effective work among young people is essential to the
Women have been training at Oak Hill for many years, and recently we
The middle terms of the FdA embody
have seen significant numbers of
diversity. Here you look at different yet
women committing themselves to
connected topics of study which illuminate
full-time theological education. We
in detail all the aspects of theology. You
have ramped up our commitment to
focus on biblical, historical, doctrinal,
women accordingly. New modules,
cultural and practice-based modules.
seminars and training sessions have
‘Oak Hill trained me to think well, to
health of the church as a whole.
One of Oak Hill’s distinctives is the
been designed to provide rigorous
continuing importance and relevance
training for women in a variety of
of learning the biblical languages.
roles in the local and global church.
Greek is compulsory for TPS and TCC
Miriam Simmons (pictured left)
streams and many students elect to
with views that differ slightly – or
says: ‘I arrived at Oak Hill with the
learn Hebrew as well. You also study
maybe not so slightly, or maybe quite a
conviction that the church needs
apologetics and preaching, and you
lot – from what I think, and to be able
theologically trained women as well
can choose from subjects as diverse as
to do that with biblical convictions and
as men to serve in a whole host of
women’s ministry, philosophy, and the
foundations.’
ministries. That conviction has been
pastoral epistles.
Miriam Simmons, former
affirmed and strengthened by the
Independent student
faculty here and by my brothers and
view, taking in ethics, pastoral theology
sisters studying alongside me. I’m
and care, and cross-cultural mission. The
excited about how my time at Oak
FdA takes you to the end of two years,
Hill will help me disciple and train
which helps you lay the foundations for a
other women in the years to come.’
well-rounded church ministry.
think deeply. It enabled me to interact
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In the final term, you step up for a wider
Robin and Zoe Ham. Robin, who studied at Oak Hill, is a Pioneer Curate in the South Barrow Team, including St George’s, Barrow-in-Furness.
My training at Oak Hill enables me to work out what it looks like to minister the good news of Jesus Christ here in Barrow. 9
Church placements All Oak Hill students on the FdA programme take part in a placement scheme. This enables you to develop your gifts in a practical setting, apply what you are learning in the classroom and reflect on how God is working in your life and ministry. Placements work differently according to the specialist stream you are following:
Fellowship groups Every full-time student at Oak Hill is assigned a personal tutor. Your tutor will help you grow and develop and will be available if you need help and advice. The tutorial system is one of the strengths of coming to Oak Hill. Tutors provide both academic and
Theological and Pastoral Studies – you
pastoral support which encourages
are placed in a suitable Anglican or
you to grow in your studies, and
Independent church or chaplaincy, which
also in your character and ministry
might be in an urban or rural setting.
formation.
Theology for Crossing Cultures – you are placed in a church in a different cultural setting from your own, and you complete a placement (normally overseas) during the summer vacation between your first and second years.
Communication workshop All undergraduates follow an intensive three-day workshop
Theology and Praxis for Children’s and
with a communication expert. The
Youth Ministry – your placement will be
workshop provides an introduction
in a church with an existing youth and/or
in how to communicate the gospel in
children’s ministry.
a contemporary context.
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BA (Hons) in Theology
For a lifetime of ministry, you will want to anchor your thinking and practice in
Following the FdA, we encourage you
Christ through God’s word, and that is
to move on into the third year for the
what the BA (Hons) degree gives you.
BA (Hons) in Theology. In this year, you draw on all you have learned in years one
Master in Theology
and two to become established in much greater depth. Our conviction is that to
Building on your third year, you can
communicate the gospel simply, you have
take your learning into a fourth year
to understand it deeply, and that’s our aim
with the Master in Theology (MTheol) in
in this third year of study.
Theology, with specialisms in Theological
Oak Hill has uniquely developed two key
and Pastoral Studies and Theology for
modules for the third year which focus
Crossing Cultures. You specialise in
on just two biblical books: Isaiah and
depth within an area of your choice, and
‘Youth and Children’s Ministry for
the Gospel of John. We start by doing an
have the option of writing a 15,000 word
Everyone is a fantastic module.
exegetical survey of the two books, and
dissertation, or the combination of a short
We are glad it is compulsory!
then we bring all our other areas of study
dissertation and short project.
Those preparing for future church
to sit under the word of God as revealed
leadership have found it invaluable.
in Isaiah and John. Dan Strange, our
undergratuate masters programme, has
It is deep and rigorous, yet also
Academic Vice Principal, explains these
your ministry in mind. You go deeper in
intensely practical, helping us form
key modules on pages 12-13.
order to explain things more simply and
biblical principles for ministry. It
The third year also includes a vocational
The MTheol, an integrated
clearly. You are not left at the end with a
also opens up many other areas to
module, with choices that cover pastoral
brilliant theology that won’t make sense
do with education and relating to
counselling, women’s ministry, Christian
to anybody in the pew. That’s why many
families in gospel ministry.’
leadership and other options. You can also
of the modules help you to communicate
Rich Tearle, Independent student, TPS
choose to produce a short dissertation or
your insights so they can be understood
project as one of your elective subjects.
outside the world of theology. 11
An integrated curriculum Don Carson, president and co-founder of
has called for. Our newly revalidated
The Gospel Coalition, was recently asked,
CertHE, FdA, BA (Hons) and postgraduate
‘What is one thing you would change
curriculum attempts to break down the
about seminary?’ He said he would like
barriers between theological disciplines,
to see an integrated curriculum, ‘where
while preserving their distinctive
Bible and theology are genuinely at the
contributions to the training and
center’, together with a faculty who are
formation of men and women for gospel
passionate about teaching it.
ministry.
Here at Oak Hill we are developing precisely the integration Don Carson
Dan Strange, Academic Vice Principal of Oak Hill, writes about how the College curriculum breaks down the barriers between the different theological disciplines.
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The climax of the undergraduate curriculum is in two compulsory, year-
long ‘Word of God’ modules in the BA
John. We want you to develop your skills
(Hons) third year. They focus on the Book
in all the different areas of theological
of Isaiah and the Gospel of John.
study, because they are going to be
These are not simply biblical studies
invaluable in your future ministry. And
modules, but have been designed by
we want to give you a model for how you
the whole faculty of Oak Hill. All our
can work with the whole of scripture
faculty members have contributed by
in your preaching, pastoral work and
bringing Isaiah and John to bear on their
outreach. The assessments will make sure
particular ‘biblical’ disciplines, including
you cross more than one discipline. This
biblical theology, doctrine, ethics,
will enable you to apply this integrative
preaching, spirituality, women’s ministry,
model to other biblical books later on in
apologetics and mission.
your ministry.
We ask, for example, how does John
It’s been quite a job putting these
shape the way we do mission? How do we
modules together and we recognise the
apply Isaiah in our attitude toward other
ambitious nature of the project. As a
religions? What do our ethics, preaching,
faculty, we spent a great deal of time
doctrine and apologetics look like in the
designing the modules and shaping the
light of these two great books? These are
overall structure. The process culminated
modules in which all our faculty members
in two awaydays where we shared our
take part, integrating their individual
teaching outlines with each other and
disciplines so that the word of God is
received comments and feedback.
applied across the whole horizon of biblical ministry. One of the gifts Oak Hill wants to give you is a whole year of living in Isaiah and
‘In the third year, everything is taught out of John and Isaiah. We are going to be living in a text, and learning how to unify all the separate disciplines through the text. This seems like an incredibly good way of training someone to be a Bible teacher long term.’ Nick Ashton, Anglican ordinand
While it can be daunting to go outside the comfort zone of your own discipline, the development of a well-rounded theological faculty depends on it. 13
Living and learning in community Is Oak Hill a university, a church, or
academic excellence with a pastoral heart,
something else entirely? Oak Hill can
not only in class, but out of class. Our
certainly look like a university, because
community life gives you quality time
our academic programme is validated by
with personal and module tutors, with
Middlesex University and is subject to its
many opportunities to interact in class or
standards and regulations. Oak Hill can
in formal tutorials, over coffee or lunch,
also look very much like a church, with
and in fellowship groups.
weekly fellowship groups, daily times of
Finally, our residential study focuses
worship, and a strong focus on following
on learning together with others, within
Jesus. Although we are not actually a
a cohort where lifelong relationships
church, we exist for the church and our
are formed and continue into church
commitment is to serve the church.
ministry. There are so many opportunities
We believe there is something unique
at college to do the ‘one anothering’ we
and invaluable about residential
often talk about. By serving one another
theological education, whether you
in and out of class, we help each other to
15-minute walk from the tube, which puts
experience it full-time or part-time. There
become formed into the likeness of Christ.
central London within easy reach, and the
are several dimensions to this. Residential
Everything at Oak Hill happens within
countryside of Hertfordshire and Essex is
training gives you dedicated time to read,
the context of prayer, praise and the
study, reflect, rehearse, discuss, debate,
preached word. As Jim Packer famously
close by. In this beautiful setting the Oak Hill
and listen humbly, which is one of the
said at the beginning of his lectures, ‘The
community flourishes, with time for
hallmarks of ministry. Studying at Oak
goal of theology, friends, is doxology.’
prayer and worship, sport and relaxation, coffee breaks, talking over lunch and
Hill is not time out of ministry. Rather, it is a redirection of your ministry for a
The campus
everything else that enriches our life together. If you’re studying full-time,
time, as you live, learn and share with Oak Hill is set in 60 acres of 18th century
you’ll be part of a fellowship group of
Oak Hill not only offers dedicated time,
parkland, with an abundance of trees,
around 12 students. The group meets
but also dedicated tutors. They combine
open green spaces and walks. We are a
once a week and helps you take time out
others in the college community.
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of the academic programme for support, prayer and encouragement. This is one of the ways we make a big college feel small. Daily chapel services alternate between Anglican and Independent forms of worship. Our sports facilities include a good football pitch, two all-weather tennis courts and a basketball court. Indoors, we have areas for relaxation, as well as a student common room, with television, video and music facilities. There are also tables for snooker and table tennis. 15
Because we are an Academic Partner of Middlesex University, students are eligible to use the university sports facilities, although there may be a fee for some activities. Accommodation Because of our spacious campus, we can offer a wide range of housing units, enabling about half of our married students to live on site. Where it’s not possible to accommodate students on the college campus, we can provide some help with finding places to live locally. 16
Our accommodation includes well-
The main foyer provides a bright and
appointed study bedrooms for single
spacious area where students meet every
students, with an option of house-shares
day to talk over coffee.
or shared flats for those who are looking
The centre is also home to Oak Hill’s
Virtual learning environment
for 52-week accommodation. In addition,
library, which has plenty of space for
there is a large house within easy walking
quiet study, fully computerised search
The Virtual Learning Environment
distance of the campus which provides
facilities, lockable storage and a self-
(VLE) at Oak Hill runs entirely within
accommodation for single male students.
service issue and return system. It also
Google Apps for Education. It gives
has over 56,000 items in stock, including
us an integrated system for sharing
the college campus, a short walk from
multimedia items such as DVDs and CD-
information and developing dialogue
the teaching facilities. There’s a nearby
ROMs. On average, 200 items are added to
with and between students, whether
children’s play area, and our acres of
the library’s stock each month, including
they are full-time or part-time.
natural parkland make this a beautiful,
newly published theological books from a
spacious and safe environment for
wide range of traditions.
We have several family houses on
bringing up children. There are good
The library is linked via the Internet to
The VLE has also enabled us to develop ways of teaching and learning that are more time-efficient.
schools within walking distance, and all
thousands of libraries worldwide. It was
For example, learning the Greek
the benefits that London has to offer are a
recently tested when an MTheol student
alphabet, which previously took up
short tube ride away.
based his dissertation on Japanese
an hour of precious time in class, is
writings, but it succeeded and is able to
now covered in a web video. You can
rise to any challenge. The library also has
learn this kind of basic information
Academic Centre
a full-text-online journals database, which
at your own pace and return to it at
Oak Hill’s academic centre, which was
supplements its subscription to over 200
any point.
opened in 2000, includes a state of the
hard copy journals.
art lecture theatre, which has full audiovisual facilities. The centre also has a smaller lecture room and seminar rooms, which are ideal for group discussion work. 17
Theological and Pastoral Studies
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Many Oak Hill students take the
‘Many of the people we work with are
Theological and Pastoral Studies pathway
involved in gospel partnerships around
as part of the Foundation, BA (Hons)
the UK, where Anglican and Independent
and MTheol degrees. If you follow this
Churches are working together on local
stream, you’ll be among students who are
evangelism and other initiatives. So our
following it for a wide variety of reasons.
thinking is that it’s a great preparation
Some are travelling towards ordained
for gospel partnership to be studying,
ministry in the Church of England.
debating and sharing together from the
Others are training to become pastors
word go.’
in Independent churches, while yet
Dan Adams, a former FdA student who
others are already working in specialist
specialised in Theological and Pastoral
ministries.
Studies, said: ‘This time at Oak Hill is
Theological and Pastoral Studies is
invaluable for my ministry now and
flexible in the way students take it into
in the future. I have a much clearer
their future ministries. It can be studied
theological framework, I’ve got to know
as an approved pathway to ministry
my Bible much better and I’m being
in the Church of England; or it can be
given the tools to enable me to keep on
followed as a preparation for Independent
studying the Bible. Developing my biblical
church ministry.
language skills has set me up to engage
Mike Ovey, Oak Hill’s Principal, believes
Ministry modules Alongside the core modules which all Foundation students take, there are ministry modules in both years specifically for the TPS students. These modules focus on the principles and practicalities of church leadership with separate streams for Anglican and Independent students. As part of these ministry modules, there’s a commitment to theological reflection and the importance of critical self-engagement regarding what we do in ministry and our motivations behind it.
with scripture for myself so that I can
that studying alongside people who are
communicate it to whoever I come across
heading for both similar and different
from whatever background.’
forms of ministry to you is an enriching experience.
$ oakhill.ac.uk/pastoral 19
A mission module for all students Recently, one of the mission modules
employed us to establish multicultural
became compulsory for all students.
outreach, which was fully integrated into
This is where our Theology for Crossing
the life of the church.
Cultures students get to hone their skills
needs to become aware of their own
cultural mission!
culture and the cultures of others, how
As a mission student, it may surprise
to proclaim the gospel faithfully in new
you to discover that not all Oak Hill
contexts and how to serve shoulder to
students are as interested as you are in
shoulder with Christians from other
other cultures or exotic parts of the world.
backgrounds.
They are as committed to the gospel as
That is what our compulsory mission
you, but see their future ministry context
module for all students is intended to
more in the line of a meat and two veg
achieve. Students taking it will explore
than a chicken tikka masala.
immigration, the Great Commission
It’s at this point that you are more than
(home and away), reverse mission and
welcome to chime in with the missions
globalisation. We seek to expand our
tutors that the times they are a-changin’.
horizons to meet a shrinking world.
I’ve seen this change for myself. When my wife Maura and I returned to Britain Dave Baldwin, Director of Theology for
after 11 years of ministry in Ethiopia,
Crossing Cultures, introduces a module
we settled in Reading to work in a town
taken by all students which explores
centre Baptist church. Reading is one of
cross-cultural mission.
the most cosmopolitan urban centres in Britain, with over 150 languages spoken in the primary schools. The church
20
At Oak Hill we believe every student
as an intra-college evangelist for cross-
Gabrielle Samuel, who studied at Oak Hill, is now Youth and Women’s Worker at Brixton Local Church in south London.
Spending time with women, we often end up addressing issues about identity. Who they feel they are, who they have been made to think they are, and who they can be in Christ. 21
Theology for Crossing Cultures
22
It would be hard to think of a ministry context today where cross-cultural skills aren’t vital. Students hoping to serve overseas already understand their need to learn about living in another culture. But as 10% of the current UK population was born overseas, it is evident that every UK ministry setting either already is or shortly will be cross-cultural. If you have been called to work cross-culturally, Oak Hill’s Theology for Crossing Cultures stream has been tailor-made to meet your needs. Alongside
The tutors Dave Baldwin is Director of Theology for Crossing Cultures. He has worked in Ethiopia and the UK with Serving in Mission (SIM). Alongside his Oak Hill responsibilities, he and his wife Maura run a SIM project called 2:19, which is designed to help UK churches reach out to their local multi-cultural communities through English lessons.
your core theology modules you will be studying: the world church, with its dramatic recent developments; what cultures are, how they work and how to get better at moving between them; an introduction to and Christian theology of other religions and how best to engage their followers with the gospel; recent trends in missionary thinking; practical aspects of missionary service; how the
Ray Porter, who designed the crosscultural modules and launched the Theology for Crossing Cultures stream, previously served in East Asia and the UK with Overseas Missionary Fellowship. He worked in Indonesia for 14 years pioneering and establishing churches. Ray now teaches one of the course modules.
gospel can be communicated faithfully from one culture to another without distorting the message (if this is possible: please discuss). 23
The smaller classes in the Theology
For example, when we look at the topic
for Crossing Cultures stream allow for
of a missionary’s relationship to his
a lot of useful discussion around these
or her sending church, a deep mutual
subjects. We consider real scenarios and
listening usually ensues. The future
draw on the experience of those who
pastors better understand the needs of
have gone before. Your tutors’ own long
the missionaries they send to the far
experience in mission will often come
corners of the earth, while the future
out and the fact they served on different
missionaries better appreciate the role of
continents during different decades and
the sending churches – and how annoying
with different sending agencies provides a
missionaries can sometimes be!
good degree of breadth. Oak Hill graduates who specialised in
Actually, Theology for Crossing Cultures students can hardly get away from the
Theology for Crossing Cultures have gone
students following other streams. The
on to serve in places as diverse as Serbia,
core modules, which all students study
‘I chose Oak Hill because the course
Uganda, China, Japan, Bolivia, Senegal and
together, are there for a reason: We don’t
leads towards mission work, but you
the Canary Islands. More are hoping to go
believe in sending missionaries out with a
do proper, well-grounded theology at
to places such as India, Taiwan, Siberia and
fantastic grasp of culture but a flimsy grip
the same time. The mission side isn’t
Thailand.
on the gospel. We believe missionaries
at the expense of theology, or vice
One of the real delights of the classes
need the same depth of theological
versa. I’m excited about that, and I’m
is that you will often be studying your
confident that I’ll leave here with a
specialist subjects alongside students who
really solid foundation to work with.’
are following the other streams and have
New Testament in Greek, then so do
Jenni Dyer, Independent student, TCC
opted for the mission modules. Their take
missionaries. If ministers need to know
on the issues can be very illuminating.
their place in church history, then so do
training as UK church workers. If pastors need to be able to read the
$ oakhill.ac.uk/cultures 24
missionaries. If church leaders need to pay attention to their life and doctrine, then so do missionaries. What would we be saying if we didn’t insist on that? That
Teaching and learning in rural Africa
people on the mission field don’t matter as much, or that people from other cultures
When I’m in my classroom, it’s so easy
to behold. I watch as they lead person
can’t stomach such rich gospel ministry?
to be the big man. I’m at the front
after person to Christ, kneeling together
During their studies, students
and am far better trained than my
in prayer in a dusty yard surrounded
seek to integrate their cross-cultural
students theologically-speaking. I have
by kids in rags, chickens and sometimes
understanding and their participation
the laptop, the books on my shelf, and
even traditional spirit-worship shrines.
in the core subjects with other students.
the red pen to mark their attempts at
They have all the skills, languages,
One student was asked to think about
theological expression.
confidence, communication and
marriage preparation materials for
And then I leave Namugongo and
cultural ability they need to preach the
families who had become Christians from
travel for five hours into rural Africa.
gospel in these backwater parishes of
a Muslim background. There was nothing
I don’t speak the language. I have no
East Africa.
to lift off the shelf to provide this. So the
idea what the villagers are saying to
student went back to the pagan cultural
me, why they’re laughing at me – why
have the ability and training to
background of 1 Corinthians chapter 7,
they’re doing anything, actually. I’m
help them understand and use the
considered the marriage culture of the
self-conscious and nervous and entirely
scriptures rightly when they’re out
local Muslims and then reapplied Paul’s
dependent on my students.
there. Together, it works. I’ve estimated
arguments into that context. Whether you are thinking of working in
They take me by the hand and lead
And we staff at Namugongo seminary
that our current student body will
me round explaining what’s going on.
preach to over a million people between
another culture, or in the multicultures
And as I sit there in people’s homes
them in the coming years.
of the UK, Theology for Crossing Cultures
watching my students use their own
will help you do the study, discussion and
language in their own culture and
Chris Howles is a former student at
thinking needed, as well as giving you
explain the gospel clearly, confidently
Oak Hill
essential skills for your ministry.
and contextually, it’s an absolute sight 25
Theology and Praxis for Children’s and Youth Ministry Young people are under pressure today as
of children’s or youth work, we believe
never before. Competing world views tell
you need the same level of training as any
them that there is no God – or if there is,
other ministry in the church.
that he is uninterested in their lives. Mel Lacy, the Director of the youth
The reason behind that is this: statistics consistently show that significant
and children’s ministry stream at Oak
numbers of people become Christians
Hill, says that ‘many children and young
before the end of their teens. But they
people brought up in today’s culture find
also show that the biggest group who lose
it difficult to believe in the relational
their faith are young people who leave
God of the Bible. They are astounded to
home for university. Since this time of life
discover that people live according to
is so critical for young people, those who
God’s word and for his glory.’
work with them need the best theological
If you’re reading this page, you probably
and practical training available. If you
already know there is an urgent need for
have a desire to serve among children and
‘We are thoroughly persuaded
children’s and youth workers who can
young people in God’s church, we think
that biblical children’s and youth
connect a truly biblical faith with modern
you will thrive by studying at Oak Hill.
ministry is critical to the health of
youth culture. The church needs people
the evangelical church in the UK.
who can handle the tough pastoral issues
theology, specialising in children’s and
We have therefore introduced a
and who can also handle the word of God,
youth ministry, that is intended to
new foundational module which
because they understand it in depth and
thoroughly equip students for a lifetime
all students at Oak Hill take. It’s
can teach it with confidence.
of full-time ministry. It is designed
proving to be greatly appreciated
Getting to that point requires
Says Mel Lacy: ‘We offer a degree in
to complement and build on the core
by our students, many of whom
theological study, understanding the
modules of the Foundation Degree,
say: “Why did no one tell me this
Bible in depth, training in practical skills,
offering integrative and dynamic learning
before!”’
spiritual growth and the fellowship of
opportunities.’
Mel Lacy, Director of Youth and
others who are similarly preparing for
Children’s Ministry
ministry. To be equipped for the ministry
26
Alongside academic study, we train you in the hands-on skills you need
for ministry. You might have all the
church doctrine can inform schools work,
theological knowhow in the world, but
and how children can be nurtured better
when 100 kids are about to arrive for
spiritually by integrating the work of
holiday club on a Monday morning,
parents with volunteer church leaders.
you also need skills of organisation and leadership to see you through. Those skills are partly developed
Mel Lacy has been a youth worker for many years and remains hands-on involved in youth ministry at her local
through your local church placement,
church. ‘Youth culture shifts so fast,’
of course. But we also supplement your
she says, ‘that very quickly you could be
placement with practical work in college,
out of date in terms of what is catching
focusing on specific subjects such as
young people’s attention and occupying
working with the under 3s, planning
their thoughts, if you’re not immersed in
RE classes and assemblies, and working
working with young people.’
among children with special needs. ‘I came to Oak Hill to know who
You’ll also learn about and debate
our God is and to be fully equipped
the ethical issues which shape young
in how we interpret the Bible and
people’s lives. Our aim is to train you
how we understand what God says.
professionally as well as practically.
I think that is really important for
In the third year of the degree we
every Christian, even if you’re not
give students following the youth
going into ministry.’
and children’s ministry stream the
Sophia Chichester, Independent
opportunity to complete an in-depth
student, TCY
study in youth work. Two recent examples include research into how
$ oakhill.ac.uk/youth 27
Radically faithful, radically adaptable Then there are subcultures based on
Mike Ovey, Principal of Oak Hill, writes about one of the core aims the College has in training students for ministry. Looking at British and world culture today, it’s not hard to see that it is fractured into many different cultures and subcultures. The fractures open up over what language people speak, what race they belong to, which religion they follow, what region, generation or social class they come from.
28
opened up in the past couple of decades.
lifestyle choices such as sports, music,
And many of the ones that are important
fashion and media: surfers, cyclers and
right now will deepen, narrow, vanish or
bikers, goths and clubbers, geeks, tweeters
be replaced by new fractures over the
and hackers – subcultures change so fast
next 30 years. In fact, that process will
that this list will probably be out of date
probably happen several times over the
before the ink has dried on the page.
course of your ministry.
Some of these fractures in culture
That means part of our job is not only to
are very deep, with hostility on either
help deepen your faith, but also to give you
side, while others are narrower, but still
the tools to communicate it in a world of
produce real incomprehension between
shifting cultures. We aim to nurture your
different groups.
ability to analyse when something that
An important aspect in communicating the gospel is knowing when there is a
once worked simply doesn’t any longer. We want to build up your skills in
fracture, what kind of fracture it is and
examining what you see around you in
how it can be crossed without losing the
the light of the Bible. That way, you’ll
essential point of what you want to say.
be able to judge the truth and value of
It’s like learning a foreign language, and
fresh cultural changes and recognise the
there’s no point in doing that if you’ve
opportunities they bring for the gospel.
forgotten or lost what you wanted to say in the first place. But it’s not just that we live in a culture
Above all, we want to help you be radically faithful to Jesus and radically adaptable in proclaiming him. That’s a big
that is fractured. Like an earthquake, the
challenge, both for you and for us! But
fractures are constantly shifting. Some
it’s vital as we help you prepare for your
of today’s biggest fractures have only
ministry.
A servant-hearted faculty The way we teach at Oak Hill is guided
have a faculty which is experienced in
by these words from the apostle Paul:
ministry, and also practises teaching as
‘Think of us in this way, as servants of
a craft. We’re here not just to download
Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries’
information, but to engage with our
(1 Corinthians 4:1). Students come to Oak
students. After all, we’re working with
Hill to be entrusted with the gospel and to
students who are not only highly
become faithful servants of Jesus Christ.
motivated, but often highly prepared,
To achieve that, the faculty are
with a good range of ministry experience.
wholeheartedly committed to being
In that sense, the teacher often becomes
stewards of God themselves. That works
the taught, making Oak Hill a genuine
itself out in two ways. Faculty members
community of teaching and learning.’
are passionate about the content of
Part of our commitment to teaching
what they teach, that their theology
excellence is peer-to-peer review, where
and application is biblically true and
faculty members sit in on each other’s
trustworthy. And they are also committed
lectures and offer critical feedback.
to being excellent teachers, so they can
Dan Strange, Oak Hill’s Academic
show students how to excel as teachers of
Vice Principal, says: ‘We’ve worked hard
God’s people themselves.
to strike the best balance of gifts and
Brad Bitner, Oak Hill’s Director of
experience in our faculty. What we have
Learning, Teaching and Assessment,
now is a team of people who are not only
For the full list of our faculty members,
works to support the enhancement of
gifted in their expertise and knowledge,
please visit the web link on the left. And
teaching at Oak Hill. He says: ‘We believe
but who are also servant-hearted. They
please see the next pages to meet four
there is a unique value in face to face
are fully behind the fact that we’re
of our most recently appointed teaching
residential training, especially when you
training people for vocational ministry.’
staff, who talk about their subjects.
$ oakhill.ac.uk/faculty 29
Eric Ortlund
Brad Bitner
Eric came to Oak Hill from Briercrest
Brad was English pastor at the Greek
College and Seminary in Caronport,
Evangelical Church of Boston before
Saskatchewan, Canada. He received his
coming to Oak Hill. He gained his PhD
PhD at Edinburgh University, and teaches
from Macquarie University, Sydney. Brad
Old Testament and Hebrew.
teaches New Testament, Greek and biblical theology.
There is a lovely moment in one of the Narnia books – The Magician’s Nephew
When people hear ‘biblical theology’,
– where Aslan is walking and creating
they often think it’s about Bible overview.
Narnia. He is singing, and as he sings,
Although overviewing the Old and New
plants and animals come into being.
Testaments is part of what we do, biblical
There is something about language
theology is much more than that.
which makes it far more than the way we
music playing in another room, which
communicate factual information. There
you can kind of hear. You are not hearing
about scripture as the word of God. We
is also a kind of music going on inside
it inaccurately, but when you go into the
think about how that affects our reading
language. It is part of the goodness of
room where Beethoven’s 9th Symphony is
of this one divine story, which wraps us
creation, and it is there in Hebrew too.
playing, you hear the cellos and the choir
in as characters and rewrites our own
and everything that music is.
scripts. We ask: How can we preach and
The music of Hebrew is much more guttural and much less abstract than
People in ministry need more than a
We build on what students are taught
teach from each section of scripture in an
English. When you talk about the land
passing acquaintance with God’s word.
in Hebrew, you can almost feel the soil in
If the people who are shepherding the
For me, the value of learning New
souls of God’s people are not intimately
Testament Greek is that it slows you
knowledgeable of God’s word, then who
down to see and hear the text in a fresh
else will be?
way. If you’re a careful reader of the
your fingers. If you are serious about God’s word, you have to hear the original. It’s like 30
authentic and faithful way?
Tim Ward Before coming to Oak Hill, Tim taught on the Cornhill Training Course with the Proclamation Trust, and prior to that, served in pastoral ministry for 14 years. He received his PhD at Edinburgh University, and teaches homiletics. Oak Hill trains people who are going to be involved in many different Bible ministries, but we have a particular focus on the training of preachers. As contemporary preachers, we stand in a English text, can you teach and preach
biblical line which can be traced back
studying the Old Testament; how does it
well? Yes, you can. Will you teach and
through the apostles, and the Lord Jesus,
help you see all the more incisively the
preach a lot better if you read the text
to the Old Testament prophets. They
message of this passage of scripture? You
in Greek, and you’re slowed down to
came from the Lord to deliver his word.
are being taught systematic theology;
consider what it’s really saying? Yes, you
Or to use that great New Testament word,
how does that wider framework give you
will. Maybe some of your assumptions
they came as the herald of the king.
a helpful grid for understanding what
will be challenged when you come to
The homiletics module is one point in
God is doing in this episode of scripture?
this passage that you thought you knew
the curriculum when everything students
so well. The Greek slows us down to do
are learning in the other areas comes
students will sense how everything
what we all want to do, which is to attend
together. You are learning Greek; how will
they are being taught elsewhere can be
faithfully to what is there, so we can best
that help you discern the meaning of the
brought to bear on this essential task of
understand God’s word.
passage you are preaching on? You are
preaching scripture in today’s world.
My aim in teaching homiletics is that
31
Matthew Barrett
the doctrine of sin, and so on, I don’t want students to learn those doctrines merely
Matthew is the author of several books,
for head knowledge, as important as that
including Salvation by Grace, and he
is. I want them to be able to connect the
is the founder and editor of the online
dots between those doctrines and the
theological magazine, Credo. He gained
Christian life.
his MDiv and PhD from Southern Baptist
biblical understanding of the trinity
was senior pastor at a Baptist church in
shape the way we worship God and pray
California. He teaches systematic theology
to God? It drastically changes how we
and church history at Oak Hill.
relate to God as Father, Son and Holy
One of the things that drew me to Oak ‘I am not preaching in class, but there are times when I get passionate and excited, because the light-bulb goes on and you realise, wow, this seemed at first like a really academic discussion, but it’s enormously practical. So there are times when I do get a little preachy, even if I am not preaching the whole time!’ Matthew Barrett
Hill was that students don’t just study
Spirit. How does our understanding of the
different subjects, as if they’re in a science
cross of Christ as an atonement impact
lab, but instead are asking: How does
our assurance that we are Christians? It
what I’m studying make a difference for
does in a significant way. Whether or not
us as Christians? How do we live out
Christ actually paid the price for our sin
these theological benefits?
has everything to do with whether or not
My hope is that every student will either be a pastor-theologian, or if they are not technically a pastor, then whatever their
we can be confident that we truly are one of God’s children. So in my modules, we really spend time
ministry may be, they will approach it in a
not only fleshing out the theology, but
theological way. So what does that mean?
showing how it relates to godliness, the
In the classes I teach at Oak Hill, where
Christian life, the church and practical
we are covering the trinity, the atonement, 32
So, for example, how does an orthodox,
Theological Seminary in Kentucky, and
ministry.
Oak Hill was where I first started to get interested and excited about church planting, and how it might be brought to Scotland.
Athole Rennie, who studied at Oak Hill, is now a church planter and the pastor of Grace Church in Leith.
33
Postgraduate study Oak Hill’s postgraduate courses take to
All incoming postgraduate students
might be better equipped to minister to
the next level the characteristics of our
take our module on hermeneutics,
undergraduate programmes, which we
epistemology and the knowledge of God.
believe are central to training men and
It explores the key challenges to our
push you forward to love more truly, more
women for gospel ministry in the 21st
knowledge of God, including scepticism,
wholly, and more deeply the God who has
century.
rationalism, romanticism, nihilism and
come to us in the gospel of his Son, Jesus
The MA, PGDip and PGCert will enable
postmodernism, among others. The aim
Christ. If you have already completed
you to engage at a high level with today’s
of the module is to help students rightly
an undergraduate theology degree, the
significant theological and pastoral
handle the word of truth (hermeneutics)
College has a number of postgraduate
questions. You take time to reflect and
and more deeply understand the
programmes, as set out on the opposite
consider in a deeper way the meaning and
competing claims to knowledge so they
page.
application of scripture in our fractured, quickly-changing world. Our postgraduate courses are intentionally integrative: what you learn from interpreting the Bible, systematic theology, church history and ethics is tied together. In that way, the classroom is just like the pulpit, or the Friday night youth group, or the challenging questions in a Christianity Explored course. What do we learn about the doctrine of grace from scripture, systematic theology, church history and the other relevant fields? Oak Hill’s postgraduate modules model the unity and diversity that are proper to Christian theology. 34
others in our ever-changing world. Ultimately, our postgraduate courses
Master of Arts (MA) in Theology
Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Theology
Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Theology
The MA enables you to study theology at
The PGDip makes our training for gospel
The PGCert is a short (60-credit) course,
a more advanced level. You can take an
ministry available more widely at a
primarily aimed at theology graduates
even more specialised approach to the
postgraduate level. What distinguishes
serving in ministry who are considering
different disciplines than is possible in
the PGDip from the MA and MTheol
further study or are looking for an
the BA (Hons) programme.
is that it does not require a research
element of continuing professional
component, although you can do a short
development.
You choose four taught modules and also do a 15,000 word dissertation, or the combination of a short dissertation and short project.
research project if you choose. You take four taught modules to earn
PGCert students take two modules: a compulsory module on hermeneutics
the PGDip. This fits well for many people
and epistemology, which is common to all
who want to study and prepare for
our postgraduate programmes, and one
two years part-time, but can be completed
ministry at a postgraduate level, but for
elective, which can be a taught module, an
in 12 months of full-time study.
whom independent research is not the
independent research project, or a guided
right fit.
reading module.
The programme is frequently taken over
The programme can be taken over one year full-time or two years part-time.
There are two pathway options for students, either to take both modules in one year, or one module in each of two years.
$ oakhill.ac.uk/postgraduate 35
Studying part-time The majority of Oak Hill’s courses are open for part-time as well as full-time study. If you are a CertHE or FdA part-time student, you will probably come to the college on Mondays and Tuesdays. You follow exactly the same academic programme as fulltime students, but have twice the length of time to complete it. So the Foundation degree is completed over four years instead of two, for example. There are some big advantages to studying part-time. You don’t have to uproot yourself or your family. You can continue to work in the local community where you feel at home. You can be flexible in how you organise your life between work and training. And you can fund your course by continuing to work. For Ali Campbell-Smith, youth worker
having the academic study alongside it. I
the New Testament while we were doing
at Eden Baptist Church, Cambridge,
felt much better equipped for the work I
Greek, and the Old Testament while we
studying part-time at Oak Hill gave her
was doing, because I’d been able to put it
were doing Hebrew. Having that extra
the chance to integrate what she was
into practice as I went along.’
practice on the languages was essential.
learning into her ministry week by week.
Matt Kottman, pastor of Calvary Chapel,
Learning this way is immensely practical
‘I really valued being able to continue
Leatherhead, agrees. ‘During my first year
because I can see how it immediately
doing youth work at my church while
of Greek and Hebrew, I was preaching in
benefits us as a congregation.’
36
So if you’re looking to do some serious theological training but want to continue living and working where you are, part-
the particular issues which arise from studying part-time.’ Part-time study is very attractive for
time study offers a great way forward.
churches which want to send their people
You come into college for classroom
for training, but also want to make use of
learning, seminars, discussions and
their gifts for the rest of the week. Oak
private study, using Oak Hill’s modern
Hill forms a partnership with churches
and highly resourced campus. You grow
for your training, to make sure you
in your understanding of the gospel,
receive the academic and pastoral care
and you also gain a significant academic
and support you need while you’re doing
qualification at the end of your course.
both work and study.
The experience of community works
Dan Strange, Oak Hill’s Academic Vice
differently for part-time students than
Principal, says, ‘If you live in London or
it does for full-time students, says Matt
you’re reasonably close to the college, and
Kottman: ‘There’s also a community
have the flexibility to be here on Mondays
among other part-timers, where we’re
and Tuesdays, then this is a great
balancing ministry and the academic life.
opportunity to do an Oak Hill course.
We know what it’s like to write papers,
The college timetable has been shaped to
prepare for exams and get ready for the
integrate part-timers, and to help you get
busy Christmas season at church – all at
the best from the course.’
the same time. We get together at lunch, we pray together, we keep in touch by email, and we support each other over
‘I think studying part-time is a good experience, because you are always seeing the relevance of what you are being taught. What I have just heard in the youth ministry module, how does that apply to the youth work I am running on Friday? That’s exciting.’ Zim Okoli, part-time youth worker at The Bridge, Battersea, and part-time student, TCC
$ oakhill.ac.uk/part-time 37
Anglicans and Independents Graham Beynon, our Director of
church. But when I went off to university,
Anglicans and Independents: biblical
Independent Ministry Training, and
I went to whichever church I thought
studies, languages, doctrine and church
Mark Pickles, Director of Anglican
was good, without caring about what
history. Alongside that, TPS specialists are
Ministry Training, talk about how Oak
brand it was. I went where the Bible was
going to choose either the Anglican or the
Hill brings students together from
being taught, and where I was loved and
Independent Church training track.
very different church backgrounds for
cared for. As it happens, they tended to
theological training – and why they
be independent churches, but they could
Anglican ordinands today is that we
passionately believe it matters.
easily have been Anglican.
equip people properly for ministry in
Later on, as I began to consider
Mark: Yes. One of my concerns about
the Anglican church as evangelicals. We
Mark Pickles: I was converted as
Christian ministry, I was pushed to think
need to know our theology well. We need
a teenager at an Anglican church
about issues such as baptism and church
to know the historic foundations of the
in Birkenhead, and when I went to
government, and then, as you said, I
Church of England. We need to know
Edinburgh University, I attended a
became an Independent by intent. The
why we’re Anglicans. It’s not enough to
Church of Scotland church, which I
conclusions I came to on those sorts of
be an Anglican by accident. I think that
loved. I started to think through whether
questions landed me in independency.
studying side by side with Independent
ordination was the right thing for me, and if so, then which denomination? The reason I chose to be an Anglican
Mark: I think both of us are saying
students is very creative and helps
the same thing: our primary concern is
everyone to work out, ‘Why am I this and
commitment to the scriptures and to the
not that?’
was because first and foremost I’m
gospel. But when you’re thinking about
Graham: I’m looking forward to what
evangelical. I found nothing in the 39
entering church leadership, you have to
we do together. Take church leadership.
Articles of the Church of England that
think more specifically about issues such
We’re going to look at a biblical theology
caused me concern – or, putting it more
as ecclesiology, baptism, sacraments –
of church leadership, including our own
positively, I found lots there which
those sort of things.
spirituality as leaders. But then we will
resonated with me. So I’m not Anglican by accident, but by intent. Graham Beynon: For me it’s a little bit different. I was converted in an Anglican 38
Graham: I think that’s absolutely right.
separate and I will talk about elderships,
Now, what’s happening at Oak Hill is the core courses are common to everyone
and you’ll talk about PCCs and the other Dan Strange and things I don’t understand about the
training for pastoral ministry, both
Nick church. Tucker. Anglican
In other words, we’ll have this shared
know their God will stand firm and take
churches, maybe during university. I want
foundation, and then divide for some of
action. We need to know our God, we
those guys to really think through what
the more specialist areas. We’ll also have
need to know our theology, we need to
it means to be Independent. To glean
the chance to bat things back and forth,
know the gospel. Those are all things we
the best from the other side, but to be
and argue our corners. How do you think
share. But then we’ve got to act on that.
absolutely convinced biblically why their
people feel, coming to a college with these
For Anglicans, that means asking what
ecclesiology, leadership and practice is
two streams? Nervous, positive, or what?
are the opportunities for the gospel in
what it is.
Mark: I guess probably the whole
the Anglican church today? I think doing
Some people, I guess, might be a bit
gamut! What I want to say to folk who
that alongside Independents will be
suspicious of coming to Oak Hill. Might I
are thinking about it is that it’s incredibly
stimulating.
get infected by these Anglicans?
positive and exciting. We need to be
Graham: I think a good number of
grounded in the big things. A key verse
Independents know a lot of Anglicans
for me is Daniel 11:32: The people who
and have already been in Anglican
Mark: Yes. Well, hopefully! Graham: I say, don’t worry, there’s nothing to be infected by. I hope our 39
students come to appreciate that they are brothers and sisters in Christ labouring for the same end in the gospel. Mark: Paradoxically, I think training together equips you better. If you have students separated into an Independent college and an Anglican college, they will never have to engage in the questions each is asking of the other. There will be lots of things you never have to think through – until you’re out in ministry. This approach gives you the opportunity of thinking through the issues together. Graham: Absolutely. Training together means better training. I think it also sets you up well for working in gospel partnerships and other local initiatives. Mark: In the end, training together is not about blurring, but sharpening our distinctives. What we both want is conviction in our ministers.
40
Oak Hill and FIEC David Shaw (pictured right) serves as a joint appointment of Oak Hill and the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC), working three days a week for Oak Hill as Tutor in New Testament Studies, and two days a week as Theological Adviser for FIEC and editor of Primer. David says, ‘I am thrilled to be able to support Oak Hill and FIEC in their shared desire to see churches led by well-trained ‘I really like the fact that Oak Hill is Anglican and Independent. People here have different views on baptism, spiritual gifts and church practice, but there’s no sense that we’re not able to talk about those differences. Instead we talk about them in a very gracious way.’ Alice Anderson, Independent student, TCY
and servant-hearted ministers of the gospel. More and more the partnership
recognition of the importance of faithful,
between Oak Hill and FIEC is bearing
Bible-centred theology to equip churches
fruit and I count it a real privilege to
and their leaders to face the challenges of
be involved in the training of pastors
contemporary ministry. We are delighted
at college and to be equipping them for
that David Shaw is taking this work
ongoing ministry all over the UK.
forward as our Theological Adviser,
John Stevens, FIEC National Director,
and excited that he is based at Oak Hill
says: ‘One of the great encouragements
College, where many of our future pastors
in FIEC at the moment is a growing
are being trained for ministry.’
$ oakhill.ac.uk/churches 41
Next steps
Oak Hill online
How to apply
Overseas students
Full information about the college,
If you would like more information and
For all applicants whose first language is
including our programme details,
details of how to apply, please contact our
not English, we require you to take the
biographies of the teaching staff and
Admissions Office for an enquiry pack,
IELTS examination. Information about
downloads of talks, can be found on
which includes an application form. You
this can be obtained from the British
our website: oakhill.ac.uk. You can also
can do so via the admissions page on the
Council. The examination is taken under
contact us via the website to register your
website; by emailing us at this address:
the Council’s supervision. In order to
interest and request printed information.
admissions@oakhill.ac.uk; or by calling on
be able to apply, we require you to have
020 8449 0467 (extension 206). There are
obtained a score of 7.0, with no less than
also details on the website about how the
6.5 in any particular category.
Open mornings
admissions process works, including all We encourage you to come and discover
the relevant deadlines.
Please note that Oak Hill does not have a Tier 4 licence and therefore we cannot
Oak Hill for yourself. Why not come to
currently accept students from outside
one of our regular open mornings? For
the EU. We advise you to see the UK Visas
details of the next open morning, please
and Immigration website for up-to-date
see the website.
information about student visas.
$ oakhill.ac.uk/contact 42
Oak Hill College
The Kingham Hill Trust
Credits
Oak Hill College is a theological college in
The Kingham Hill Trust is the
Produced for Oak Hill College by
North London, training men and women
registered charity that owns Oak Hill
House Communications Limited
for ministry in the Church of England
College. It has contributed spiritually,
and other spheres of Christian service.
financially and practically to its
Its validated programmes have been
development. The Trust has delegated
Photography: Eleanor Bentall,
developed, and are delivered and assessed
responsibility for Oak Hill to the
Richard Hanson, Ralph Hodgson
by the college. They are awarded and
College Council and the Principal.
quality assured by Middlesex University. Š The Kingham Hill Trust Contacting us
A company limited by guarantee
Writing and design: Simon Jenkins
Print: Yeomans Press Edition: 2017
Registered in England No. 365812 Oak Hill College
Registered Office:
Chase Side
Kingham Hill School
Southgate
Kingham
London N14 4PS
Oxon OX7 6TH
Tel: 020 8449 0467 Fax: 020 8441 5996
A Registered Charity Charity Number 1076618
Website: oakhill.ac.uk Twitter: @oakhilllondon Facebook: facebook.com/oakhilllondon
43
Over my forty years of pastoral ministry, I’ve come to the conclusion that ministers need more comprehensive and exacting theological education today than when I came into the work. I’ve been an admirer and a beneficiary of the ministry of Oak Hill for years, and often cite it as a model for effective and faithful theological education. Tim Keller, Redeemer Presbyterian Church New York City
l oakhill.ac.uk l @oakhilllondon f facebook.com/ oakhilllondon www
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Oak Hill College