The Course in Christian Studies brings the excitement of discovery and learning together: members bring their own varied stories and experiences and share them, finding new truth in themselves and in each other through lively discussion.
Enrollment for the 2027 course is now open. Please fill in the form found here and someone will be in touch in December to confimr your place.
The CCS is made up of two years of study, the first is a foundational year in theology and the second a foundational year in ministry, giving students the opportunity to explore a variety of vocations and ministries within the church. Completion of the course leads to the Bishop’s Certificate.
It was relaunched in 2024 - the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford, speaks about the relaunch:
-
About CCS
Since it began in 1987, over 3000 people from Essex and East London have joined the Course in Christian Studies. What has it given them? What could it give you?
The excitement of discovery and learning together: members bring their own varied stories and experiences and share them, finding new truth in themselves and in each other through lively discussion. Knowledge of the Bible and of the huge riches of Christian tradition, nurtured by tutors and textbooks, and whetting members' appetite for more knowledge - but not providing all the answers.
Delight in that biblical and Christian tradition, finding in it a field for imaginative and practical exploration, for wonder and worship and decision. Constructive reflection on the Bible and tradition and on the contemporary world: the Course does not shirk the hard questions posed by the Church's history or by believing in God and seeking peace and justice today. Spiritual Formation of both the local group and its individual members: the Course does not set out to convert or evangelise, but it is concerned with the whole life of prayer and activity and relationships - not just with the mind.
For those who desire it, the Course also provides a foundation for further education or training. This could be other local courses; it could be a degree or diploma. Or it could be training for a specific ministry in the Church including the ministry of: Licensed Lay Minister, Authorised Local Preacher, Pastoral Assistant, Lay Evangelist, or Priest.
-
Course Structure
There are two ways you can take part in the CCS: in local face to face groups and via the Zoom platform with weekly online meetings.
Each January there will be a choice of centres in each of the three Episcopal Areas.
Groups usually meet weekly. All necessary reading and preparatory material is provided via the website and group members commit to spending a few hours each week in preparation for the group session. They are led by ordained and lay tutors and include people from all kinds of churches. The group learns from the tutors, the Bible and the reading material provided, and from each other. Certificates are presented at the end of the course in a Cathedral service.
The assignments which are set, always give the option of interacting with the learning material at a greater depth and are in the form of either a short piece of writing, a recording of a talk, a portfolio, or designing a leaflet. You can choose not to complete any assignments at all and receive an ‘attendance’ certificate – but most students enjoy the opportunity of engaging further with the course through this enhanced study.
-
Enrolment procedure
Each course is two years long and begins in the January of a particular year.
First year enrolment for each new course begins in September of the preceding year, via the website where an 'expression of interest' will be filled in. The closing date for this is 1st December.
During December places will be allocated and requests for further registration information will be sent. This further information will be passed to your respective tutors so they can manage their courses and will be held on record at the Diocese so the administration of the course can run smoothly.
Payment will be invoiced in the first month of the course, giving clear instructions as to how to pay and when to pay (see Course costs for details).
Please see example of timetable below for summary of enrolment procedure:
Date
Enrolment Action
Method
September 2026 Expressions of Interest open Via Diocesan Website 1st December 2026 Expressions of Interest close December 2026 Allocation and notification of places on courses Via email December 2026 Request for registration information Via email and electronic form January 2027 Courses begin January 2027 Invoices sent and payment requested Via email Enrolment for second year places is not needed. You will register your interest with your current tutor at the end of your fist year.
-
Course Cost
The cost of the course is £150 per year, or £50 a term across 6 terms.
All students will be invoiced in January of each academic year, with the option to pay termly or in one lump sum.
Preferred payment method is by bank transfer, but credit or debit card payments are possible.
If this cost feels prohibative, please contact us directly and we can discuss payment options. Email your enquiry to ccsadmin@chelmsford.anglican.org
-
Course content
Year 1 - Foundations in Theology
- Introdcution to Theology
- Old Testament
- Gospels
- Paul's Letters
- Church History
- Doctrine
Year 2 - Foundations in Ministry
- Ethics
- Preaching
- Leading Worship
- Evangelism
- Pastoral Care
- Spirituality
Unit materials can be found here
-
Course Venues for 2027
Year 1 Venues, days and times:
Place
Day
Time
Pleshey, House of Retreat Mondays Monthly (all day) Zoom Mondays 7.30 pm- 9.30 pm St Paul's, Hainult Mondays 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm St John's, Epping Tuesdays 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm St Peter Ad Vincula, Coggeshall Tuesdays 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm Diocesan Offices, Chelmsford Wednesdays 10.00 am - 12 noon St Thomas', Brentwood Wednesdays 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm Zoom Wednesdays 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm St George's, Harold Hill Thursdays 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm Zoom Thursdays 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm All Year 2s will attend the same venus and times they attended in 2026.
-
Course Dates for 2027 Year 1 & year 2 students (excluding Pleshey)
Groups will meet in the following weeks throughout the year. Dates are given for Mondays, but your group may meet on another day of that week.
SPRING TERM 2027
Week commencing:
- Monday 11 January
- Monday 18 January
- Monday 25 January
- Monday 1 February
- Monday 8 February
- (Half term break: Monday 18 February)
- Monday 22 February
- Monday 1 March
- Monday 8 March
- Monday 15 March
SUMMER TERM 2027
Week commencing:
- Monday 12 April
- Monday 19 April
- Monday 26 April
- Monday 3 May*
- Monday 10 May
- Monday 10 May
- (Half term break - 2 weeks: Monday 24 May and 31 May)
- Monday 7 June
- Monday 14 June
- Monday 21 June
- Monday 28 June
- Monday 5 July
AUTUMN TERM 2027
Week commencing:
- Monday 13 September
- Monday 20 September
- Monday 27 September
- Monday 4 October
- Monday 11 October
- Monday 18 October (Year 1 only)
- (Half term break: Monday 25 October)
- Monday 1 November
- Monday 8 November
- Monday 15 November
- Monday 22 November
- Monday 29 November
* Monday groups may meet on a different day to 3rd May, to be decided by the group.
-
Course Dates for 2027 Pleshey
The Pleshey Group meets for the whole day on a Monday approximately once a month
SPRING TERM 2027
- Monday 25 Janaury
- Monday 8 February
- Monday 8 March
SUMMER TERM 2027
- Monday 12 April
- Monday 10 May
- Monday 14 June
- Monday 5 July
AUTUMN TERM 2027
- Monday 13 September
- Monday 4 October
- Monday 18 October
- Monday 8 November
- Monday 6 December
If you wish to enroll in the 2027 CCS course please fill in teh form here.
If you have any other questions concerning the CCS please email ccsadmin@chelmsford.anglican.org
