Living as the People of God

Drawing on the experience of the participants, this module will examine the main features of living missionally. It will look at a theology of conversion and the journey to faith. It will also explore how best to empower the community of faith to be effective in missional engagement.

Day 1 – 24th September 2022
Day 2 – 15th October 2022

Leadership, Revival, Renewal, and the Holy Spirit

An exploration of both theological and missional understandings of the work of the Holy Spirit that leads to missional engagement. To examine the use of the gifts and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in enabling the missional calling of the people of God. To examine the role of prophecy and healing in the missional task.

Day 1 – 5th November 2022
Day 2 – 7th January 2023

Engaging with Contemporary Culture

Drawing on the experience of the participants, this module will examine the main features of contemporary culture. It will look at new ways of being church that respond to the cultural changes in our society and will consider the basis for missional Church engagement with contemporary culture. To explore how to engage and form children, young people and families.

Day 1 – 4th February 2023
Day 2 – 25th February 2023

Leading, Preaching, Teaching – Equipping Whole Life Worshippers

This module explores the thinking behind the Christian practices of public worship and teaching. It encourages a holistic approach to worship through the study of its nature as a place of corporate meeting with God and sustaining missional living. Participants will be equipped to preach and communicate through the study of the different ways of using the Bible in preaching, how to construct a sermon, and the skills needed to communicate effectively.

Day 1 – 25th March 2023
Day 2 – 22nd April 2023

Other EMD Modules

The course is taught on a three year rolling programme. The following modules are not being taught in the current academic year, but form part of the course and will be available over the next two years.

The Bible in Context – Understanding the Old Testament

This module introduces participants to the diversity of biblical literature. It enables them to engage critically with it, relate it to its historical context and explore how their own context affects their reading of the text. By looking at the whole picture and at selected texts, they will have the opportunity to reflect on its meaning for their own lives, the ministry and mission of their churches, and the life of their communities.

The Bible in Context – Understanding the New Testament

Similar to above, with a focus on the New Testament.

Pastoral Care and Equipping

In this module, participants will explore the meaning of Soul Care, and be encouraged through experiential learning to deepen their own spiritual life and the people of God. They will study what resources there are to establish and sustain missional discipleship. This will include examining the relationship of pastoral practice to participants missional setting.

Missional Leadership in a Baptist Context

This module looks at the kind of issues that inevitably arise in the ongoing life and organisation of a local church. Participants will look at different styles and models of leadership, including the principles and practice of working as part of a team, and develop skills needed for such tasks as vision building and conflict resolution. Attention will also be given to some of the specific tasks expected of those exercising leadership in a Baptist church, such as the responsibilities of being a trustee of the buildings.

Radical Disciples in a Time of Uncertainty

The early Baptist movement was so radical that Baptists had their rights were limited and some were thrown into prison and executed. What might it cost us today to retain or regain our edge as radical disciples? Are our congregations/gatherings independent or interdependent? Who decides what happens? How might our understanding of the priesthood of all believers shape every part of our lives as God’s people – gathered and scattered? Why does any of this matter?

Foundations of Belief – Part 1

What types of theology are there? What are the key theological beliefs? How is theology relevant to missional discipleship and leadership? How can thinking theologically help us better reflect on the issues of the day? Could it be that theology is actually really exciting?!

Foundations to Belief – Part 2

What types of theology are there? What are the key theological beliefs? How is theology relevant to missional discipleship and leadership? How can thinking theologically help us better reflect on the issues of the day? Could it be that theology is actually really exciting?!

From Mission to Missional

Is God a missionary? Is the Bible a missionary text? How does God’s big-picture plan shape the purposes of his people, the church? What’s the relationship between mission and evangelism? What the difference between missionary and missional? How then should we live as God’s people – gathered and scattered?