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)
How to Join
You can register your interest in this course by emailing Anne Payne, stating which iteration of the course you wish to join. There is no charge to participate.
In the 2026-27 academic year, we will be running several iterations of the course.
In-Person Autumn 2026
All sessions will be held at Church House in Leeds between 9:30am and 4pm. (17-19 York Place, Leeds LS1 2EX)
Saturday 19 September
Saturday 17 October
Saturday 14 November
Saturday 5 December
Online Autumn 2026
All sessions will be delivered via Zoom between 6:30pm and 9pm.
Tuesday 6 October
Tuesday 13 October
Tuesday 20 October
Tuesday 3 November
Tuesday 10 November
Tuesday 17 November
Tuesday 24 November
Tuesday 1 December
Proposed course dates in 2027
These dates may change slightly, but we aim to run the following:
Online Winter 2027
All sessions will be delivered via Zoom between 6:30pm and 9pm.
Monday 11 January
Monday 18 January
Monday 25 January
Monday 1 February
Monday 22 February
Monday 1 March
Monday 8 March
Monday 15 March
In-Person Winter 2027
All sessions will be held at Church House in Leeds between 9:30am and 4pm. (17-19 York Place, Leeds LS1 2EX)
Saturday 23 January
Saturday 6 February
Saturday 6 March
Saturday 20 March
In-Person Summer 2027
All sessions will be held at Church House in Leeds between 9:30am and 4pm. (17-19 York Place, Leeds LS1 2EX)
Saturday 24 April
Saturday 22 May
Saturday 19 June
Saturday 10 July
Online Summer 2027
All sessions will be delivered via Zoom between 6:30pm and 9pm.
Thursday 6 May
Thursday 13 May
Thursday 20 May
Thursday 27 May
Thursday 10 June
Thursday 17 June
Thursday 24 June
Thursday 1 July