Theology is a word that comes from Ancient Greek. It means talking about God. It’s as simple as that. You already do theology, even if you don’t call it that. For example, when you say, ‘God loves you’ to someone, you are making a statement about God. You are ‘doing theology’.
This course is for anyone who wants to do theology - to talk and think about God - and to deepen their discipleship. It’s also an opportunity to think about how God is forming us right now. All of us are on a journey with God. We are letting God mould us into the person God always meant us to be.
We may feel called to a particular ministry. We may just want to know more. Either way, this course is for you!
Course overview
Introduction to Theology is useful for anyone considering how they can make their faith count. You can take it as a stand-alone course, or it can be Stage 1 in your formational journey. Stage 2 could be training to be a commissioned Lay Pastoral Minister, Lay Worship Leader or Occasional Preacher. Some participants might also go on to consider Licensed Lay Ministry, Ordained Ministry, the religious life or becoming a Church Army Evangelist.
The course runs over 8 weeks (usually within an academic term) at least once per academic year. If there is sufficient demand the course will run every term either in-person, hybrid or online.
You will study alongside others in a supportive learning community with knowledgeable and encouraging tutors.
This course is primarily for people living and/or worshipping in the Anglican Diocese of Leeds. If you live outside the diocese and would like to attend this course, please contact the Lay Training Team Administrator Anne Payne and request to be put on our Out-of-Area Waiting List. You will be asked for a Letter of Recommendation from the incumbent of your parish church. You will then be contacted to check your availability if a space is available when the booking deadline is reached for a course.
Course Structure
This course is structured as a journey. Starting with our own experience, we will look at encountering God through:
- Prayer
- Theological Reflection (thinking about our everyday lives in light of our trust in God and thinking about our trust in God in light of our experience)
- Worship
- Exploring the faith we inherit
- Reading the Bible well (Biblical Interpretation)
- Sharing the Bible with others (Biblical Proclamation)
- Discipleship (growing in our personal relationship with God)
- Mission (giving an account of our faith to others, living out our faith in the everyday)