Communities will benefit from church leaders who learn 'on the job'

Communities across London and Essex are set to benefit from a new approach to teaching theology ‘on the job’. The new approach is being rolled out across the dioceses of London and Chelmsford with the formation of a new college.

Theological training has tended to focus on academic study. But now St Mellitus College will offer emerging and established church leaders the opportunity to combine academic study with practical learning on the job by training for ministry while being based in local churches and communities.

This new college – the initiative of the Bishops of London and Chelmsford – will serve a combined church region of 6.3 million people. The mixture of 300 languages and cultures make it one of the most diverse regions of the world. Trainee priests (or ordinands), established vicars and lay people will all be able to learn from their communities, share experiences and deepen their faith.

Dean of St Mellitus College, Dr Graham Tomlin said:

“Our vision is to enable local churches to become lively places where people grow in faith and make a difference in their communities.

“If you want to train someone to head up a Marks and Spencer store that was really flourishing, you’d probably put them in a successful local branch so they learn how to do it. In the process the store gets refreshed and so does the training programme. It’s not too different with preparing to lead a church”.

“Rooting theology in the realities of life in the world and the church is good for trainees, good for church communities and good for theology too.”

Archdeacon of Southend, the Ven David Lowman added, “I greatly look forward to the opportunities given to us by being a part of St Mellitus College and the close co-operation between the dioceses of Chelmsford and London”

Further information

• St Mellitus College became a legal entity on 18 March.  It brings together the North Thames Ministerial Training Course based in Shadwell and Chelmsford and St Paul’s Theological Centre, based in Kensington
• The new college is responsible for training people preparing for ordination as well as providing education for lay people and clergy already in post.
• There are over 80 ordinands in training with the College.  Ordinands can opt to work half-time in the local church and engage in theological study for the other half of their time.
• The formation of the college and commissioning of the new Dean and Directors will be celebrated in a Service at St Paul’s Cathedral on 2 July.  The Service will start at 7pm and will be led by the Bishops of London and Chelmsford. The Dean of St Mellitus, Revd Dr Graham Tomlin, and the Directors of the two constituent bodies, the Revd Dr David Hilborn, Director of North Thames Ministerial Training Course, and Revd Dr Andy Emerton, Director of St Paul’s Theological College, will be commissioned at the Service.