Foundation Degree
The Foundation Degree takes THREE years and goes into greater depth than the Certificate, building on foundational areas, and begins to shift focus to a more contextual approach. This means that we begin with issues and conflicts that arise in the world and the church, and then learning how our theology can both help us address those issues, and at the same time, how our theology might grow deeper as we engage with these issues.
Modules in Year 1
Church, Mission and Theology
An introduction to the related themes of mission, ecclesiology and theology, exploring the nature of the church and the place of theology and mission in its life.
Introductory Greek*
This module will introduce students to the main elements of basic Greek grammar as related to the New Testament. Students will be taught and required to learn basic Greek vocabulary.
Understanding the Bible
This course introduces students to a deeper study of the Bible, the foundation and touchstone of Christian theology. It works through the different kinds of literature in the Old and New Testaments as well as exploring issues of how the Bible can be used and interpreted today.
Discovering the Christian Tradition
An exciting introduction to the resources and history of Christian life and thought. We look at the broad sweep of church history, some of the key thinkers (theologians who have shaped the church’s theology), and some of the major movements of prayer and spirituality across the centuries as a resource for contemporary theology and ministry.
Evangelism in Practice*
This module looks at one of the foundational issues for Christian ministry, namely evangelism. The module requires the student to experience leading on a current evangelistic course run by a church (e.g. Alpha, Emmaus) and write a theological and practical reflection on that experience.
Worship and Liturgy*
This module focuses on Christian worship. Worship is a central feature of church life, and an understanding of its theology, principles and practice is, therefore, an essential part of any programme of formation in ministry. The module aims to provide an introduction to the development, structure and theology of Anglican (and other) worship.
Modules in Years 2-3
The Bible and Theology
This module enables students to grapple with further Biblical studies. It concentrates on the way we look at the Bible as a whole, and how to develop a biblical theology in the contemporary world. It aims to help students understand some key themes that run through the Bible and begin to think how they affect ministry and mission today.
Systematic Theology
The focus of the foundational 'Discovering the Christian Tradition' course was on a historical review of the church’s life and doctrine. This takes a more systematic approach, exploring some of the key themes in Christian theology, how they have been understood over the centuries and how they can be appropriated and lived today.
The Church in the World
In this module students begin to work on issues of Church (Ecclesiology, Ethics and Mission). This is a key transitional model that begins to help them think about the context of mission today, the shape of church and kind of life required to witness effectively to the Kingdom of God.
Models of Ministry: Home Church
Students undertake a project in their home church involving observation of an aspect of its life or activities. It also enables students to reflect on their own developing ministry in their local church.
Bible in Depth 1
It is important that students are able to understand and use the Bible in public ministry, and one part of this is that they have a sense of how to read it in its literary context. Students therefore study selected Biblical books as set texts, in this module; Amos, Hosea and Galatians.
Church and Mission Today
This module looks at some of the foundational issues for mission and ministry today, namely the nature of church, gospel, culture and kingdom, focusing in particular on church planting and new forms of church life as a basis for mission.
How much does it cost?
A Foundation Degree costs are to be determined by Middlesex, which will include the Middlesex University fee and online library resource fees. The cost will be split over the number of years the course runs.
How do I Apply?
We are pleased to announce that applications for the degree courses in Contextual Theology (accredited and non-accredited, audit only courses) are now open. If you do go ahead and apply, please note that you will have to provide two referees on application. In addition, at the very end of the application please could you fill in the requested security text box. In order to send your application to us click on the SAVE button at the very end of the document.
If you have any questions regarding our courses, please feel free to contact us at sptc@stmellitus.org
The Bishop of London Richard Chartres
“At a time when fragmentation and partisanship can appear to threaten the credibility and effectiveness of our ministry, St Mellitus represents a bold step of faith and trust. We believe that as we pursue the harder path of unity in diversity, the College will prove to be an instrument of the Spirit in equipping the whole people of God to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Bishop of Chelmsford Stephen Cottrell
“As we seek to train men and women for ministry and mission in a rapidly changing context, St Mellitus College offers the Chelmsford Diocese a flexible and inclusive approach for theological and ministerial education and formation. It is very exciting to be part of this pioneering initiative.”
The Dean Revd Dr Graham Tomlin
“St Mellitus College is a very exciting place to work. It brings together students from across the spectrum of the church to learn about and prepare for mission in the contemporary world, in a way that tries to be open to the Spirit of God and learning from each other. We have a fantastic group of students, a great staff team and it is a privilege to be part of it.”
Regius Professor of Divinity at Cambridge University, David Ford
"One of the most important experiments to have happened in British theology and church theological education for a long time. The way it is bringing together academy and church, including church at the grass roots - that collaboration is just full of potential for the future and I feel everyone should watch this space. What it can do is something that really no other theological institution in the country can achieve at the moment."