Looking North - Spurgeon's College

ISSUE 138 DECEMBER 2012

TheRecord

THE COLLEGE OF CHOICE

Looking North

DECEMBER 2012 TheRecord2 3

2 On The Record Chris King

3-5 Look North Nigel G. Wright

5 A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

6-7 An interview with... Linda Campbell

Peter Morden

8-9 Validation by the University of Manchester

Pieter J. Lalleman

10-11 Engaged in mission John Claydon

12 My 20 years of full-time ministry John Singleton

13-15 2012 Students Counselling Students

MTh Applied & Preaching New Undergraduate Students

16-17 A homecoming… Angie Tunstall

18-20 Planting faith in Manchester Gary Serra di Migni

21 News in brief

22-23 Church Training Initiative Chris King

24-25 Student in a messy church Gary Collier

26-27 An interview with...Chris King

28 Back in Northallerton via Bicester Richard Cutting

30-31 2012 Teaching Staff


Look NorthOn The RecordThe academic year 2011-12 was a challenging one for the College. In this time we faced large demands in relation to University validation and the UK Border Agency.

DECEMBER 2012 TheRecord

In this issue of The Record, we focus on the links the College has with people and places in the north of the country. A great number of Spurgeon’s students have gone on to successful ministry

in the north and we will hear how they have been overcoming challenges and blessed by the privilege of working amongst diverse communities. You will hear about the progress of Urban Expression, the ‘Messy Church’ and the unrivalled power of the bacon butty!

The move to the University of Manchester as our validating body has been at the forefront of our minds during the last year and the journey up the M1 and M6 has become very familiar to some of our staff.

This is my first contribution to The Record as the new Business Manager and although I am originally from Lincoln, I have lived in the south during my 24 year Army career, so I feel like I am letting the side down regarding the north! Although, I conduct a brass band in my spare time, so maybe this makes it OK?

As ever, we truly value your prayers and support and hope that you enjoy reading this issue of The Record.

CHRIS KING TR BUSINESS AND FINANCE MANAGER

am pleased to report that all these challenges were successfully

surmounted. The College now possesses Highly Trusted Sponsor status as far as the Border Agency is concerned (allowing us to receive visa students from outside the EU) and we are an ‘approved partner’ of the University of Manchester, one of the world’s leading universities. This means (in the agreed language) that we ‘deliver programmes developed by Spurgeon’s College, approved by and leading to an award of the University of Manchester’. We are highly pleased on both counts.

I

DECEMBER 2012 TheRecord4 5EQUIPPING ALL GOD’S PEOPLE

Those who know that I was born and brought up in Manchester (and within a skip and a jump of the University at that), might be tempted to think that I had something to do with this new link, in a Machiavellian kind of way. Not so. It is simply the way things worked out. That said, it is a pleasing thing to have such a strong link.

Over the years many Northern ministers in training have studied here, as have the Welsh, Scottish and Irish. As trips to Manchester are now becoming a routine part of life we look forward to reinforcing the fact that, although strategically based in London, Spurgeon’s College exists to

serve all four nations of the United Kingdom. We also look forward to closer connections with Cliff College, the Nazarene College and Northern Baptist Learning Community who

long precede us in their links to the University of Manchester.

Which brings me to another subject. At the end of this academic year I too will renew my association with the North West when I retire from post. As a tutor and Principal I will by then

have served the College for some 21 years, half my working life as a minister. I will continue to work for the College, supervising some research students, as a Senior Research Fellow, but

the responsibilities of the Principal will pass to someone else.

Our College Conference day on June 13 2013 will follow the theme ‘Evangelical Spirituality’ and as an integral part of this there will be in the afternoon a service of Thanksgiving and Farewell at Chatsworth Baptist Church, West Norwood. It would please me greatly to see many friends and students past and present on that occasion. To that end please consider this as an invitation to be present then and to give thanks to God for the ways God has sustained and provided for the College to the present day. We would be deeply delighted to see you.

With warmest good wishes,

NIGEL WRIGHT TR PRINCIPAL, THEOLOGY & MINISTRY

“spurgeon’s college exists to serve all

four nations of the United Kingdom.”

5

A Pilgrimage TO THE HOLY LAND

Dr Nigel Wright and Revd Mike Wood will be leading a comprehensive 10-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land, 3-12 September 2013 based in Jerusalem, Jericho and Galilee.Standard cost £1,645. For brochure and full details contact Revd Mike Wood, 41 Bushey Road, Shirley, Croydon, CRO 8EW, email [email protected].

DECEMBER 2012 TheRecord6 7SERVING THE GROWING CHURCH

WHEN DID YOU BEGIN WORK AT SPURGEON’S COLLEGE?

I started twelve years ago after Paul Scott-Evans, our former business manager, approached me about joining the admin team on a full-time basis.

I initially came to help John Murray, the placements coordinator. We worked together for just over a year and it was a great experience. He was very wise and I learned so much working alongside him, for example, the skill of keeping my eyes and ears open so I could pick up on issues that weren’t immediately obvious.

ARE YOU STILL DOING THE SAME THING TODAY?

My job has certainly changed. When John retired from College I was asked to take over, but I was concerned because I wasn’t a Minister – would churches and students accept me? Nigel was very encouraging and supportive as were all my other colleagues.

‘PLACEMENTS COORDINATOR’ – WHAT DOES THAT ACTUALLY INVOLVE?

When a church contacts Spurgeon’s about the possibility of having a student as a Minister in Training, I go to meet their leadership team. It might be a small church looking for a part-time pastor, or perhaps a larger congregation considering having an assistant. I have to assess whether it is a suitable training placement for a student – that is our number one priority. Once a placement is established I help to make sure that it runs smoothly. I liaise with Regional Ministers,

church leadership teams, colleagues here at College, the supervisors who work with me, field placement tutors and, of course, the students themselves. Overall, my job involves a lot of travelling – some people think I am the proverbial ‘bad penny’ that keeps turning up!

IT SOUNDS A VERY DEMANDING ROLE…

It is demanding but I love it. As I go round and visit the different churches I get to hear what God is doing. Many of our students have key roles in helping fellowships grow and develop. Others work in pioneering situations and develop patterns of ministry that looks very different to ‘traditional’ church. All our students are involved in mission as well as working with Christians to deepen their faith. Sometimes struggling churches are turned right around. A number of churches which previously could not afford to call a pastor grow and are able to call the Minister in Training to be their full-time minister when the period of training is complete.

Peter Morden interviews Linda Campbell, Spurgeon’s popular placements coordinator, about her central role in the life of the College. Linda is from Glasgow and so continues our northern theme.

An interview with... THAT IS REALLY EXCITING. DOES THAT HAPPEN OFTEN?

Quite a lot. It’s one of the real joys of my job. It’s great for a student to settle at their placement church and for me to feel I had a small part to play in that. The really wonderful thing is to see God working through Ministers in Training to bring new life.

SO DO COLLEGE-BASED STUDENTS MISS OUT?

No, of course not. Our College-based students also have placements and I oversee these too. They spend less time on placement than those who are church-based but the placement is still a vital part of their course: we see it as absolutely essential for everyone undergoing ministerial training. Once again, I am delighted to see all the good work which is going on.

WHEN PLACEMENT CHURCHES CALL THEIR MINISTERS IN TRAINING FULL-TIME, ARE FEWER CHURCHES ABLE TO TAKE NEW STUDENTS?

Yes, indeed. In some ways this makes my job harder as I look to place the next generation. I am always on the look out for new placement opportunities!

AND, AS IF YOU DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH TO DO, YOU HAVE RECENTLY BECOME A STUDENT YOURSELF!

Many years ago I studied Theology at Moorlands but only did a Diploma of Theology. I am now taking the opportunity to take the Diploma up to Degree level, studying part-time. The module on Spirituality that I took last semester was challenging but excellent as I returned to study after many years absence. I am looking forward to tackling the Doctrine of the Spirit and the Doctrine of the Church this academic year! Returning to study has helped me continue to develop as a person and to think through my faith afresh. I’d highly recommend it.

PETER MORDEN TR CHAPLAIN, CHURCH HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY

Linda Campbell

“Many of our students have key roles in

helping fellowships grow and develop.”


V alidation means that a college which is not itself a university, such as Spurgeon’s, can award the certificates, degrees etc. of a

university which oversees the quality of the college’s work. For Spurgeon’s validation is an important element of who we are.

In October 2011 the University of Wales announced its withdrawal from all validation. It guarantees that current students will not be disadvantaged but only accepted new students until 2012. We looked round and identified four universities that were willing to discuss validation with us - although all for much higher fees than Wales was charging. Of these four, the University of Manchester was by far the most prestigious so we started the process with them. They told us that they validate only a limited number of colleges but that they were willing to consider us on the basis of our excellent reputation…


As from this academic year, the University of Manchester validates most of our programmes. How did this come about and what does this mean?

Validationby theUniversity ofManchester

After we had sent a pile of papers and had responded to some further questions, a delegation from Spurgeon’s attended a meeting in Manchester in August, and a day later a delegation from there visited us. All these things happened in a positive atmosphere and early in September we heard that the University of Manchester had accepted us! We are now ‘an approved partner of the University of Manchester’, ‘delivering programmes developed by Spurgeon’s College, approved by and leading to an award of the University of Manchester’. The entire process took us some nine months; we were later told that it normally takes as long as eighteen months.

The University of Manchester dates back to 1824. It is the birthplace of many discoveries such as the first modern computer, the splitting of the atom by Rutherford, the first degree in nursing and the birth of modern economics and medical ethics. The University is ranked 38th in the Shanghai Academic Rankings of World Universities, a list on which 40 out of the top 50 universities are in the USA, so in the UK it is close in rank to Oxford and Cambridge. It is a member of the Russell Group of Universities, many of which do not offer validation. We regard it as a blessing to have been accepted.

The other theological colleges validated by the University of Manchester are all in the north: the Nazarene College and the Northern Baptist Learning Community in Manchester, and Cliff College in the Peak District.

IN ORDER TO BE COST-EFFECTIVE WE HAVE BUNDLED OUR PROGRAMMES INTO THREE:

1. The BA now includes church-based and college-based ministerial training as well as Online Learning and a non-vocational route which especially targets younger candidates. This implies that all ministerial students will now work towards an honours degree.

2. The MTh includes the well-known routes Applied Theology, Preaching and Radical Free Church Movements, as well as Advanced Christian Studies and Biblical and Theological Studies.

3. The MA in Christian Thought and Practice is for graduates in other disciplines who want to get a Theology qualification at a fitting level.

The students who started on the above programmes in September have been registered with Manchester. This means that for several years to come we will work with two universities, each with quite different administrative systems. But the good thing is that neither meddles with what we actually teach: we can still be as baptist and evangelical as we want.

Wales was validating our PhD and MPhil degrees as well and about these we will have separate negotiations with Manchester. Our research degree of Doctor of Ministry is still validated by the University of Chester.

PIETER J. LALLEMAN TR ACADEMIC DEAN

“spurgeon’s college was

considered on the basis of

our excellent reputation.”


Both of the Association’s Regional Ministers, John Claydon and John Singleton, studied at Spurgeon’s. They worked together for over nine years, supporting the churches and encouraging and developing mission until the latter’s retirement.

The two Johns developed the Association’s links with two very different locations: the Tryon Evergreen Baptist Association in Texas and

the Baptist Union of Lithuania. The aim is to facilitate mutual support and collaboration in mission with both partners and to explore the possibility in 2013 of a Texan and NBA team serving the churches in Lithuania.

The partnership has been developed by Texan and NBA teams visiting each other and exploring possibilities, before teams were both received and sent to encourage and engage in mission. The NBA has seen several short term teams from Texas serve its churches, energising churches and helping them in mission. For some it has gone beyond the mere receiving of help, to the church being transformed in its attitude to mission and its general life. Thus far, only two NBA teams have visited Texas and helped with soccer ministry to Latinos and children’s ministry. Teams exchanged with Lithuania have included children’s work, cultural evenings as a faith-sharing event and,

in Lithuania, teaching English which is fast becoming their second language.

This ministry is now much more than just travel and service; it is a genuine opportunity to grow and develop in faith and discipleship, here and abroad

For more details see the NBA website: www.thenba.org.uk/lithuania www.thenba.org.uk/texas-partnership

JOHN CLAYDON TR REGIONAL MINISTER (PASTORAL)

England’s northernmost Association of Baptist Churches, the Northern Baptist Association (NBA), seems a long way from London, but the area is blessed by a number of ministers from Spurgeon’s, engaged in a range of creative and fruitful ministries including developing the church as a ‘House of Prayer’, messy church and missional communities.

Engaged in mission

11

“this ministry is a genuine opportunity

to grow and develop in faith and discipleship.”


I entered full time ministry in my mid 40’s after a career in sales, and was fortunate to conclude my training at Spurgeon’s College by being placed at Thorpe-Le-Soken BC near Frinton in Essex as a church-based minister in training.

Those formative two years were followed by a further eight years as their full-time pastor, a time of great blessing as we saw God grow the church and change many lives. Then God called me to move to the Stockton on Tees area to become the Regional Minister for Mission in the Northern Baptist Association, serving the over 50 churches with John Claydon, the team leader.

Which key things have struck me after this transition from South to North East? I moved from a close community of 2,000 people to an impersonal housing estate of 16,000 people, where it was difficult to build any kind of relationship with the neighbours. However, this was not the case in the churches, where I have been blessed by a warm welcome and hence enjoyed a very rewarding ministry. The privilege of working with people with a great servant heart cannot be overemphasized and I will retire having made a number of friends in a large number of our churches.

I have been heavily involved in forging partnership links with the Tryon Evergreen Baptist Association in Conroe, Texas, and with the churches of the Baptist Union of Lithuania. A number of mission teams have

come and gone to and from these countries, with blessings seen by the churches visited and the individuals involved. One of our Northern Baptist Association churches has been totally revitalised since a senior pastor from one of the Texas churches and four ladies from his church visited for a week.

Sadly I have experienced three churches closing during my years as a Regional Minister. Yet I was also involved in two church plants commencing in the Wooler area of Northumberland and in the Loftus area of East Cleveland.

I thank God for the diverse experiences I have encountered in my 20 years of full-time ministry and for all that I have been privileged to be part of and learn from. Hopefully I am better equipped for whatever God has for me in my retirement years.

JOHN SINGLETON TR

My 20 yearsof full-timeministry

“i thank god for all that i have been privileged to be part of and learn from.”

12 DECEMBER 2012 TheRecord EQUIPPING ALL GOD’S PEOPLE

Counselling Students

MTh Applied& Preaching

LOREDANA APETRIE

MARY BRYDEN LAURA CAREY DAVID CRABB LINDA DAVIES ABIGAIL GALLAGHER

COLLETTE JOHNSON

AKINWALE BABATUNDE

MARGARET COOLING

MAWULI DOE

JOHN DULLE TIM FORD RICHARD OLDLAND

ENOH SEBA

EVELYN MANFUL WILLIAM RUDDLE

PETER SEARLE LORRAE SPIERS

PHILIP SOURBUT

ADAM SZUMOREK

KAI THAWNG KATHY WOODHOUSE

STEPHAN WIEDMER

CLAIR WILCOX

13

JOEL MERCER ROBIN PLUMMER

MONICA SANCHEZ

RUTH LUSANIE

ANDREW DIAPER

DAHLIA EDWARDS-

LYNCH

DANIEL YOO


New Undergraduate Students

KEITH ABRAHAM

BUNMI ADEBAYO

SILVESTER ASANTE

TONY ASHLEY AGNES AWITTOR

BELLO BABATUNDE

MEDIA MAVHUNGA

LILIAN NJAMBI CHRIS NORDEN GODLOVE NZIMBI

FRENCH ONOMOR

MARIO OTERO AREVALO

GARETH HIDES CAROLINE HUGHES

ALISON JOHNSON

KEVIN KERR

ALFRED BASSAH

DIANDRA BENNETT

EBENEZER BOAKYE

NAVEED BOOTA SIMON BOXALL FOUSSENI OUTTARA

SIMON RECKLESS

LORIANE ROBERTS

MAYRA RONDON MATT ROWE

JISU KIM ABIMBOLA KOLAWOLE

JANET MARDELL

MARION MARKWEI

NATHAN MARLAM

BASHARAT MASIH

EDY BUSTACARA PEREZ

JENNIFER CHANDA

SARAH CRANE ANTOINETTE DALEY

ALISON DAVIES PAMELA SEARLE HANNA SINTIM NEAL STANTON DIANA STEADMAN

CAROL TURNER MARK ULANOWSKI

ADAM VOKE

COLLETTE DOWNEY

PHIL FELLOWS PRASHANTHI FERNANDO

MATT FRANCE

MICHAEL WONG MIKE ZULTOWSKI

14 15DECEMBER 2012 TheRecord

MARY BRYDEN

ZAC GUY CARLINGTON HAMILTON

MARTIN HATFIELD

DECEMBER 2012 TheRecord16 17SERVING THE GROWING CHURCH 17

D uring my ministerial training I sensed a strong call to urban living that has now led me back home to my childhood roots in Eccles. A real

homecoming! For me, being a minister is to serve God beyond the walls of the church in mission and ministry. In our post-Christendom society I spend significant time with people who often describe themselves as ‘spiritual but not religious’, and in chaplaincy I regularly bring spiritual and religious care to patients living and dying with cancer, often following up end of life ministry with grieving families by taking Christian or humanist funerals.

That I serve regionally and locally with Urban Expression continues to place me firmly on the margins of both church and society, betwixt and between. Like chaplaincy, it is a liminal place, a ‘no man’s land’ but also a place of openness, possibility and opportunity. It is encouraging to see God’s people respond to

the call to seek God’s Kingdom in the inner city, and to live as a Jesus follower there. For us in Eccles this means living and working locally as a Christian presence, connecting with family, friends and neighbours.

Presently, I am excited about two things: one is our (almost) monthly BVBC (bacon, veggie butty, community), as we gather people in our home around food, friendship, fun and faith, offering the opportunity to take bread and wine around the table and to remember Jesus. I am also excited to be the oldest cheerleader in our town’s Phoenix Cheer and Dance Academy!

ANGIE TUNSTALL TR

Revd Angie Tunstall studied at Spurgeon’s College on the Baptist Union Accredited Evangelists track from 2003 till her graduation in 2006. After her ordination she served as a community minister in four urban and one suburban church around Greater Manchester.

Since 2010 Angie has been bi-vocational, working part-time as a Healthcare Chaplain at the Christie Foundation Trust in Manchester, and as a development worker in the North West for Urban Expression. Angie is also the team leader of Urban Expression, Eccles.

A homecoming…

The first BVBC in our home in Eccles brought good times of food, friendship, fun & faith. A place where life is shared.

FOOD @ BVBC usually includes the obvious... but could be an Eccles Cake, a sandwich, home cooked food or takeaways, or even ‘Bring & Share’. Feel free to contribute, don’t wait to be served and get stuck in with the washing up!

FRIENDSHIPS @ BVBC grow as we spend time eating, drinking and putting the world to rights. By respecting each other’s differences it’s a safe place to be ourselves.

FUN @ BVBC is what you or others make it. Sometimes it’s simply being grateful for others as they bring the days laughter!

FAITH @ BVBC may be as simple as faith in each other or faith in God. We are open to learn from others as we share in open and inclusive conversation. Some of us eat bread & drink wine at the table as we remember Jesus.

You are welcome to join us, 11am - 1pm on 22nd September, 27th October & 1st December @ 5 Doughty Ave, Eccles, M30 9AF

17

TO BACON / VEGGIE BUTTY COMMUNITY

DECEMBER 2012 TheRecord


My first ministry was a loving, thriving, medium-sized church in London. One day, whilst at Spurgeon’s College

chapel, I sensed God say, ‘Reach out to the lost’. After months of consultation, I refined the call to reach ‘people who wouldn’t set foot in a church building’. The call was affirmed, and my church sent me out to plant a fresh expression of church. Aged in-laws and a house drew us to Manchester. I didn’t think about what church might look like for the first 18 months: our vision is ‘To enable local people who won’t set foot in a church building to be church in a way that’s relevant and authentic to them’, but how could I know what kind of church unchurched people would want to be before I knew them?

So Urban Expression Victoria Park (UEVP) started. Each team member has a regular job, through which we develop and deepen relationships, serve, mission, disciple, and enable worship. It was at work that I met team member Andy. We also build relationships through social events, e.g. gokarting, clay shooting and Jayne’s Frog Safari (she keeps exotic frogs!).

Access is a monthly, unstructured, informal, multi-voiced, life-application Bible study in a local pub. The Coping with Bereavement Course, which we run from a local NHS medical centre, has provided participants for Access, as has Jayne’s workplace. So far, only two of the people I work with have come to Access. That’s frustrating. Maybe you can’t expect people who ‘won’t set foot in a church building’ to want to gather anywhere. Nevertheless, they seem comfortable talking about God on a 1-2-1.

I conduct funeral services about once a week: a vital pastoral ministry and opportunity to deliver sensitive, authentic Gospel messages to unchurched people. Four persons in UEVP are people I met through funerals.

For the past twelve months I have been ministering to the family of a man who’s appealing his conviction for terrorism crimes. The family is under threat of having their home confiscated, even though none of them is guilty of any crime.

Through Jayne’s work as a forensic nurse, the UEVP Forensic Referral Service continues

to offer substance dependent detainees the opportunity to go into Christian rehabilitation at Betel, and Elaine is currently sponsoring a

lady in AA. Recently, we asked if we could extend the Forensic Referral Service into the Targeted Services Court running in Manchester. The police supported our application to the legal team who run the Court and they agreed. We can now enter the court to talk to addicted detainees and refer them into Betel or other

Christian rehabilitation services. To have an evangelistic Christian presence operating in a public court, is, we think, a first for the UK – and nothing short of a miracle in a society like ours.

At the beginning of the century, Gary Serra di Migni studied for the ministry at Spurgeon’s College; later he came back to do the Certificates in Counselling Studies and in Counselling Skills, and to learn biblical Hebrew.

Planting faith in Manchester


“one day, whilst at spurgeon’s college

chapel, i sensed god say, ‘reach out

to the lost.’”


Is my ministry the future of the Church? I hope not. Our ministry is particular to local people. If it were rolled out to the rest of the world, it wouldn’t be particular anymore; it would be just another ‘off-the-shelf’ package that excites people at first, but fizzles out once the novelty wears off. The future of the Church rests in the realisation that one size does not fit all; that a person can be a Christian even if they don’t want to be church the way I want to be church or the way you want. Jesus ministered to individuals according to their individual needs. The future of the Church rests in its commitment to emulating Jesus’ ministry.

GARY SERRA DI MIGNI TR

Our greatest priority is prayer. We have 200 people from Yorkshire to the south coast praying for us regularly. In addition, team members Michelle and Anne are our dedicated prayer warriors.

We have a realistic view of success: the person at work who still talks to us the day after we’ve talked to them about God; the person who prays for the first time ever; the person who’s never had Communion who shares Communion with us in their home. The most sensational success story so far relates to Dave, who said, ‘I follow the devil’. A year later, prayer released him from demonic nightmares. Six months after that, he took Communion. In June this year, he was baptised.

Did you know Urban Expression started in Spurgeon’s College? Back in the ‘90s, some students on Stuart Murray-Williams’ Church Planting and Evangelism course were so inspired they started the first Urban Expression church plants in East London. It was also Spurgeon’s that introduced me to Urban Expression when I first sensed the call to ‘reach out to the unchurched’.

NIgEL WRIgHT TO RETIRE

Our Principal, Dr Nigel Wright, has announced his retirement at the end of August 2013. At the time of going to press, it became known that the Governors have appointed … as his successor after interviews on December 12.

OTHER STAff

Dr Steve Latham now works part-time as tutor in Theology and Contemporary Culture.

Dr Tony Rich has taken the role of Director of the in-service courses in Preaching and Applied Theology.

We are sad to report that John, the beloved husband of Judy Powles our librarian, died after a long illness. The funeral and thanksgiving services took place on 15 November.

SUCCESSfUL REVIEW

During the summer Spurgeon’s College was reviewed by the Quality Assurance Agency, the government watchdog for standards in Higher Education. This inspection was more demanding than any we had ever undergone before. The happy outcome is that the QAA expressed confidence in the way we manage the standards of the awards we offer on behalf of the validating universities and confidence in the quality and enhancement of the learning opportunities we offer our students. On the basis of this outcome, the UK Border Agency also expressed confidence in us and allowed us to accept more foreign students on visas. The first extra allocation of visa students was immediately filled.

LANgHAM SCHOLARS

The Langham Trust, set up by the late John Stott, has created a new bursary scheme for preachers studying for a PhD. Spurgeon’s College, and in particular our tutor Dr Stephen Wright, has been selected as the place where the first such students can register. This is a great recognition of our standing as an institution training preachers and other ministers.

CONfERENCES

In September we hosted a successful conference on the Book of Lamentations and its place in contemporary worship. The next conference is about Evangelical Spirituality and will take place on Friday January 9; the speakers include Prof. David Bebbington and Dr Ian Randall. More conferences are in the pipeline and our website will provide the details. Please consult our website regularly for up to date news.

DECEMBER 2012 TheRecord20

Want to receive the prayer letter? Email [email protected]

SERVING THE GROWING CHURCH 21

News in brief


enrolments; 20% discount for 20 enrolments or more. To access these discount vouchers you will need to contact the Online Administrator, Hannah Bingham.

The first pieces of work for assessment are coming in and suggest that people are really enjoying and benefitting from the material.

ON THE LOOKOUT

We are on the lookout for new writers with passion for their area of knowledge. With this in mind, we would like to encourage you to contribute to the programme by writing a new pack.

CHRIS KING TR BUSINESS AND FINANCE MANAGER

To get cracking with the CTi, all you need to do is enroll on the Online site www.spurgeonsonline.org.uk and click on the ‘Get Started’ tab.

If you want, you can work towards a College Commendation.

SPURGEON’S COLLEGE CHURCH TRAINING COMMENDATION

On successful completion of at least 5 Resource Packs the award of the “Spurgeon’s College Church Training Commendation” will be made.

This will be awarded at:

On completion of 5 Resource Packs



To qualify for the commendation you will need to complete one short piece of work per Resource Pack. This will be in the region of 250 words but may take various forms, e.g., multiple choice questions; questionnaire; writing a paragraph/ letter/ order of service/ brief mission plan etc (depending on the nature of each Resource Pack).

GROUP/CHURCH DISCOUNTS

We have done all we can to ensure that the Resource Packs are affordable. They are priced at £15 each and this includes feedback from the Pack Assessor if you are working towards a commendation.

A special discount will be offered for groups of people from one Church who enrol together and work for a Commendation. There will be a 5% discount for 5 enrolments; 10% discount for 10

Debra Reid, Director of Online Learning, and Nigel Wright have developed the CTi over the last year with content written by ministers, people working with childrens’ charities and organisations, internal tutors and retired and associate tutors. The emphasis really is on practical rather than academic study.

There are over 15 packs already available with plenty more commissioned. Topics include ‘Baptist Basics’, ‘Music, God and Us’, ‘Helping People Learn in Church’ and ‘Welcoming and Blessing Children in Church’.

The Church Training Initiative provides practical Resource Packs for churches and individuals in order to develop skills and insights useful in church settings.

ChurchTrainingInitiative(CTi)


have been minister of Blackhill Baptist Church, Consett, for the last ten years.

The Church is situated in North West Durham, on the border of County Durham and Northumberland. The closure of the British Steel works in 1980 brought great decline to the town. Regeneration in the 1990s had some positive results but there still remains a high level of poverty in the area.

My ministry has a strong mission focus. My deep concern is that the church should be creative and seek to engage with the local community in relevant ways, especially with unchurched families. To that effect we run the Christians Against Poverty money course, a youth café and all kinds of community events.

In 2009 we started Messy Church and this exciting journey has brought a new impetus to the life of the church! Messy Church is an all-age service where everyone is valued equally. It provides an informal environment for all ages to come together to explore and

experience worshipping God through crafts, food and celebration. Everyone is welcome in this inclusive community. With under fifty members ourselves, we normally attract about ninety people to this event so it has proved to be an effective way of engaging with families. Most of the people attending are unchurched or have little contact with a local church

but they look forward to coming to this event. As a church we see Messy Church as our second congregation and we are looking at creative ways of developing this ministry. My College dissertation is likely to inspire me in this respect!

GARY COLLIER TR

Student ina messychurch

IRevd Gary Collier is a student of Spurgeon’s Online, working at level 6 of the Degree. When he came to us he already had a Diploma in Theology. He has now studied subjects such as Radical Christian Movements and the Theology of Mission, and he did a Chaplaincy placement. He is currently writing a dissertation on being a missional church in the twenty-first century.

“the church should be creative

and seek to engage with the local community

in relevant ways.”

DECEMBER 2012 TheRecord26 27THE COLLEGE OF CHOICE 27

HOW DID YOU COME TO WORK AT SPURGEON’S COLLEGE?

I finished a 24-year career in the British Army as a musician and manager in January 2012 and was looking for somewhere to use my managerial experience and training, ideally in a Christian setting. Despite being well qualified and a thoroughly decent chap (and modest too), it was becoming increasingly difficult and disheartening trying to find ‘the perfect job’. This was until my Pastor’s wife, Fiona Littledale, at Teddington Baptist Church told me that Spurgeon’s College was looking for a Business Manager. Looking back, I can see that all of my job-hunting frustrations and disappointments had helped me to prepare for the interview, and ultimately, in finding happiness at the College. If I ever needed evidence of God’s plan in my life, it couldn’t have been made much clearer.

TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR CAREER IN THE ARMY…

I joined the British Army as a cornet player at the age of 16½ in 1987 for my Basic Training and Junior Musician Training, both at the Guard’s Depot, in Pirbright, Surrey. Basic Training was, erm, interesting! 1989 was a great year as I graduated from the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, with various pieces of paper and met my future wife, Anna, in a local youth orchestra.

After 8 happy years as a trumpet and viola player (no jokes please) in the Royal Artillery Orchestra in Woolwich, I became an instructor and Drum Major back at Kneller Hall. From here, I moved on to the Student Bandmasters’ Course and graduated in 2002 with a first class honours degree in music and my first Bandmaster appointment with the Minden Band of the Queen’s Division, based near Cambridge. After another stint at Kneller Hall working with the Training Development Team, I finished my career in the prestigious role of Bandmaster of the Band of the Grenadier Guards.

DO YOU MISS THE ARMY AND MUSIC?

I miss the people, of course, but I had a great career, travelled the world and took part in some spectacular events. I still get my music fix through conducting the Friary Guildford Brass Band twice a week in rehearsal plus frequent concerts and competitions. As one of the best bands in the South East, it keeps me on my toes. I have been known to get my trumpet out in Chapel now and again – just for special occasions though!

SO WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE WORLD?

I have been all around Europe during my time with short tours of Poland, Bosnia and Kosovo being of special interest. I remember the Minden Band turning up to give a Christmas

concert in a Kosovan town, which I can neither remember nor pronounce the name of, only to find out that it was to be presented to off-duty Dutch soldiers and members of the local Muslim community. This made a bit of a mess of my planned programme of carols and UK Christmas tunes!

I have also spent time in Canada and Pakistan but more recently, most of the time was spent on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace with the Grenadier Guards Band, performing the Changing the Guard ceremony. Conducting the massed military bands at the Lucerne Music Festival in 2011 was also a special memory, particularly as the Swiss compere announced me as ‘Chris, King of England’, which the bands found very funny to my expense!

As a trumpet player at Kneller Hall, I led the famous Fanfare Team and have performed at three Royal Variety Performances and at the Queen’s Golden Jubilee service in St Paul’s Cathedral.

It is a real privilege to be working as the Business Manager at Spurgeon’s College. After receiving such a warm welcome from all the staff and students, I’m looking forward to tackling many of the exciting challenges that lie ahead.

An interview with...

Chris King


You could say life has been ‘interesting’ for my wife Annabel and me since I

left Spurgeon’s in 2006 to take up pastoral ministry in Bicester, Oxfordshire. We often reflect on the past six years when singing these words in church: ‘Blessed be your name on the road marked with suffering; when there’s pain in the offering, blessed be your name.’

We certainly hit a hard road when we were knocked off our motorbike by a careless driver after only eight months at Bicester. Annabel sustained a serious head injury which kept her in hospital for six months and meant that, ultimately, I felt unable to sustain full time

Back in Northallertonvia Bicester


ministry and I resigned from the pastorate at Bicester only two years after starting. We returned home to Northallerton, and I am glad to say that Annabel is still making a good recovery, though she does still need me around for most of the time.

I keep busy looking after her and undertaking a few bits and pieces of ministry. I help oversee ‘Higher Sports’, an excellent Christian charity

which helps churches with sports outreach, and I am working on a number of musical projects based on Scripture.

The road has at times been difficult, but the blessings have been many: the church folk at Bicester were marvellous, showing us such love; we

were prayed for by so many of God’s people around the world; we have been provided for in a marvellous way, and, of course, we live in Yorkshire – God’s Own Country! Close relationships forged at Spurgeon’s continue to bring much encouragement and support. So all in all – ‘blessed be the name of the Lord’.

RICHARD CUTTING TR

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Richard Cutting studied church-based for the Diploma in Theology 2003-2006. His placement was in Northallerton in North Yorkshire from where he travelled in every week. An excellent pianist, he played the piano in chapel and on Graduation Day.

“blessed be the name of the lord.”

OPEN DAYSat Spurgeon’s College

Come and visit the College of Choice and discover Spurgeon’s distinctive mission emphasis, and we will even give you a free lunch!

This is an ideal opportunity to come and meet our tutors and support staff and chat to our students on a very friendly, informal basis.

We offer an incredibly diverse range of theological and counselling courses - our open days allow you to explore which would be suitable for your individual needs.

If you wish to attend please contact our Admissions Administrator, Sarah Prior by calling 020 8683 8462 or emailing [email protected]

02 MARCH 2013

OPEN DAY DATES:

MAY 201318NOV 201316

DECEMBER 2012 TheRecord30 31EQUIPPING ALL GOD’S PEOPLE DECEMBER 2012 TheRecord30 31

PATRICIA MCILROYCounselling

ANTONY RICHDirector of In-service Training New Testament Greek

JILL PARNHAMCounselling

PETER MORDENChaplain Church History and Spirituality

PIETER J. LALLEMANAcademic Dean New Testament

STEVE LATHAMTheology and Contemporary Culture

DOTHA BLACKWOODChaplain Practical Theology

JUDITH POWLESLibrarian

HETTY LALLEMANOld Testament

LINDA CAMPBELLPlacements Coordinator

ROGER STANDINGDeputy Principal and Director of Training Mission, Evangelism and Pioneer Ministry

STEPHEN WRIGHTDirector of Research Biblical Studies and Practical Theology

DEBRA REIDDirector of Online Learning

GRAHAM WATTSTutor for Admissions Christian Doctrine and Ethics

NIGEL WRIGHTPrincipal Theology and Ministry

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Spurgeon’s College is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. Registered Charity number 1096721 and a Company Limited by Guarantee number 4418151

Spurgeon’s College South Norwood Hill London SE25 6DJ

Tel 020 8653 0850 Email [email protected] Web www.spurgeons.ac.uk

www.spurgeonsonline.org.uk

THESE WORDS ARE INSCRIBED ON THE WALL IN THE COLLEGE DINING HALL TO INSPIRE OUR STUDENTS, STAFF AND VISITORS.

Documents

Looking North - Spurgeon's College