Christian Spirituality is rooted in the life of the Spirit enabling, transforming, and sustaining both our inward and outward life of faith. In Phillip Sheldrake’s words it describes the ‘…pursuit of a life shaped by a sense of meaning, values, and transcendence.’ (Sheldrake, Christian Spirituality and Social Transformation, 2016)
Of course, throughout Christian, and Jewish history, the forms and practices that spirituality take have varied, whilst remaining centred on the work of the Spirit and illumined through Scripture and, in the case of Christianity, the life of Jesus Christ. We can learn a great deal from this rich, collective store of wisdom but we must also do the work of discerning the creative life of the Spirit in our time and root ourselves in this life which resources and embeds our faith and values into our context, bringing about both inner and outer transformation.
So, deep spiritual reflection remains as important as ever. Over recent years, ForMission College has continued to expand its offering of innovative and contemporary postgraduate programmes, and the Missional Spirituality pathway is now available for potential students seeking to integrate advanced learning and research, with current issues around missional listening and leadership, culture, and spirituality.
We are delighted that Rural Ministries have recognised this unique offering and have entered into what we hope will be a long and fruitful collaboration with ForMission College, for the delivery of this programme. The current challenges we face in the context of Covid-19 have provided new opportunities for reflection on how we live, why we believe what we do, and how we should speak and act in such times. It is in this context, that we believe ForMission seeks to offer a valuable space for practitioners, and others engaged in ministry, to take time out and seek fresh inspiration and future vision through study.
More information about the College and its postgraduate programmes is available at formission.org.uk/ma-overview, where brochures on the postgraduate programmes may be downloaded. The programme is studied in part-time mode, mostly online, and over three years. It includes completion of core modules relating to perspectives in contemporary mission, leadership formation and skills, and research methodologies in the context of local and contextual theology. In addition to a further optional module, the Spirituality programme offers two specialist modules which take place over two summer schools; spiritual formation and practice and spirituality in contemporary culture. Finally, students have the opportunity to engage in a substantial piece of cutting-edge research through the writing up of a dissertation project.
One of the unique aspects of the programme is the inclusion of a personal development stream, which gives students opportunity to reflect on how their studies are impacting their ministry practice, and vice versa. It provides a significant opportunity for personal growth and deep reflection, offering invaluable guidance in the process of re-assessing ones’ values, skills, and overall ministry orientation. Many of our postgraduate students finish our programmes profoundly shaped and equipped for the next steps in their calling, be it in the workplace or in full-time ministry.
Why not give this serious thought? These times may just be the context for a fresh appraisal of where you sense God may be calling you. Access to student loan funding makes our programmes readily accessible for most. Even if you don’t have an undergraduate degree, we are able to consider admissions based on prior ministry experience.
We are living in tumultuous times which are eroding trust and shaking the foundations of our social, political, and environmental fabric. At the same time, new green shoots of life are emerging in the cracks and there are clear opportunities to grow our faith and pursue new paths of transformation. We need, at such times, to pause and recognise the season of equipping which, like the hibernation cycle in creation, allows us to rest, take stock and prepare for a new period of growth and ministry. Deep consideration of what kind of spirituality resources leadership for these uncertain times is an investment into the core of our own wellbeing, and reorients us to see the world anew, as through the eyes of Christ.
A spirituality which incubates the hope of God is what the world needs right now. What are you waiting for?
If you are interested in ForMission’s Spirituality (or other) MA programmes, do visit the college website, or contact me by email (address below). We hope our mutual paths may cross in the future!
Andy Kingston-Smith
Postgraduate Programme Director
ForMission College