Year 1
Year 1 of the main St Mellitus BA degree is a foundation year designed to provide students with the basic tools they will need to undertake further work in theology in context in Years 2 and 3. The year includes:
CP1 - THEOLOGY, CHURCH & MISSION
This module considers the sources of theology, focusing particularly on the interaction of Scripture, tradition, reason and experience in the understanding of God. Special attention is paid to the dynamics of doing theology contextually, and to key definitions and models of ‘contextual theology’. This is then related to the mission of God and the Church’s enactment of that mission. The module ends with an investigation of how theology has been understood and applied in the Anglican tradition.
CP2 - UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE
This module explores the biblical literature of the Old and New Testaments, introducing key genres, books and theological themes. Consideration is given to the ways in which Scripture recounts the experience of God's people in relation to God, culminating in the life, ministry and mission of Jesus.
CP3H DISCOVERING THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION - THEOLOGY
This module introduces the major themes, events, movements and personalities of Christian history. The first half of the module offers a chronological overview from the New Testament period to the present; the second half engages with key leaders and thinkers
CP3S - DISCOVERING THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION - SPIRITUALITY
This module introduces some influential approaches to prayer and spirituality in Christian history, enabling students to both study and practice different forms of prayer.
MM1 MODELS OF MINISTRY 1 – Parish Exploration and Daily Life Project
This module involves work on a parish exploration project, in which a group of students explore the life and ministry of a local church community other than their own, and reflect on the significance of their findings for their own understanding of ministry. This section of the course also includes a Daily Life Project, in which students undertake an individual piece of research focused on an area of their local community or place of work.
RW1 RESIDENTIAL WEEK
Themes covered in this week of study and formation include...
• The historical development of Christian public worship and the theological, aesthetic and practical considerations that shape Christian liturgical practice
• The theology and practice of preaching
• Theological reflection, examining the meaning of this concept and its importance for Christian ministry and leadership
• Listening skills
• Spiritual formation including listening to God and others, patterns of prayer and prayer in the context of mission
PD1 PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT 1
A process of continuous self-appraisal and self-review monitored by tutors at regular meetings with students at least once each term. This continues throughout the three years of the programme. It is not credit-rated for academic assessment, but is subject to informal and formational assessment.
OPTIONAL MODULES
Students take EITHER APEL (see below) or a series of other modules
ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING (PL 1-3)
This module can be taken by those reading for the BA Hons in Contextual Theology and the Dip. HE in Ministry (reader candidates), but not by those reading for the Dip. HE in Contextual Theology. It requires the production of an Action Plan (PL1) and a substantive Portfolio of prior learning (PL2), for which students can claim academic credit. It also involves the writing of an essay (PL3) in which students reflect on the process of placing learning done before they joined St. Mellitus College into a coherent theological context. Students taking this module must show how the experiential learning for which they are claiming credit is relevant to the learning areas and outcomes of the St Mellitus College - programme.
Students work on this module largely as a piece of personal research conducted outside formal classes, but it is introduced at the beginning of Year 1 in a preliminary seminar, and students may arrange personal tutorials on it with the staff responsible. PL1-3 is worked on throughout the first year, and may be submitted either in the final term of Year 1 or in the first term of Year 2.
As an alternative to APEL student can take a series of other modules which include:
NEW TESTAMENT GREEK
A module aimed at giving students a basic working knowledge of Greek – enough to read the New Testament with the help of a dictionary.
EVANGELISM IN PRACTICE
A chance to engage with and reflect on the experience of running an Alpha Course, or another evangelistic programme.
CHURCH AND MISSION TODAY
This module involves a chance to reflect on patterns and models of church, mission and ministry today including a particular focus on the forms of leadership that may be required in order for the church to fulfill its kingdom and calling.
CHRISTIANITY AND CULTURE
This module includes the chance to do a longer essay on the interface between christianity and culture and all the issues that that raises.
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."