Trinity College Bristol Prospectus 2015

Prospectus

Trinity College Prospectus 32 Trinity College Prospectus

Live like the Kingdom is near

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Welcome to Trinity

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Kingdom livingOur vision and values and how they guide the life of our community

Kingdom learningThe programmes and people who will help you as you engage with theological study

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Kingdom leadingThe way we do spiritual formation and ordination training at Trinity

How to apply Get in touch

Contents


At Trinity, our passion is to see people embrace the call to live like the Kingdom is near. But what does that actually mean for us? How do we grapple with the now-and-not-yet tension; partially experiencing Kingdom life through our relationship with God but still waiting for it to come in all its fullness?

Although there are many things we don’t know about the nature of God’s Kingdom, the Bible doesn’t leave us in the dark: the Beatitudes, found in Matthew 5, describe the key blessings and promises of the Kingdom and the character of those who live in it. So we know that Kingdom life involves humility, dependence on God’s comfort, gentleness, hunger for the right ways of God, mercy towards others, purity in deeds and motives, a passion for peace and a willingness to face opposition, even persecution, for his sake.

Therefore we want those Kingdom values to permeate every area of our lives, affecting how we live and work each day, how we learn more of God and how we lead his people in being a light to the world.

As an evangelical theological college we’re preparing people for ordained ministry in the CofE, church leadership in other denominations, local and international mission work and the gaining of theological knowledge to take back into the workplaces, homes and communities of our nation, and it’s our aim that people would be equipped to live like the Kingdom is near in all of those different callings.

Of course we don’t always get it right and in studying here you won’t be joining a perfect community. But you will be joining a passionate community, looking to God every day to help us ‘seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness’ by living the kind of Kingdom lives that draw others towards the King.

Revd Dr Emma InesonPrincipal

Welcome to Trinity

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HumilityBlessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven

We know that we’re all equally undeserving before God, yet all equally redeemed and loved, so regardless of our role in the community each of us expects to both shape and learn from others.

WholenessBlessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted

We aim to graciously but honestly confront our weaknesses together, so that we can know God’s forgiveness and healing and extend that invitation of wholeness to others.

ServiceBlessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth

We encourage one another towards servant-hearted living, learning and leading, striving for all our interactions to be characterised by gentleness, kindness and a deep love for others.

Holiness Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled

We believe there really is beauty in holiness and we’re wholeheartedly pursuing it, wanting a Christ-like character to be recognisable in every member of our community.

Justice Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy

We want the compassion of God to be evident in our lives, teaching us to make sure that people who are vulnerable or oppressed are protected, loved and given a voice.

WorshipBlessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God

We aim to learn and worship together in a way that allows the Holy Spirit to move through every activity, reminding us that everything we do is ultimately about better knowing, loving and serving God.

Diversity Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God

We believe that all followers of Jesus are united by an identity in him, regardless of background, leadership style or theological views, and our task is to love one another as we stay focused on the mission he’s given us.

Courage Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom

We strive to be courageous leaders, passionately and persistently sharing the good news of the Kingdom and living out its values in every area of our lives.

Our vision and values

Relationship is at the core of the gospel message, so it’s no surprise that people often judge the truth and value of that message by the quality and integrity of the community which proclaims it. That’s why it’s so important for us to not only talk about God’s coming Kingdom but to live whole lives that reflect and draw people towards him.

Our vision is for Kingdom living, Kingdom learning and Kingdom leading

Our task is shaping leaders of Christ-like character in community for a missional church

Our commitment is to Kingdom values

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Community life

We try to make sure that Kingdom values are threaded through every part of life at Trinity, from coffee breaks and shared meal times to chapel services, lectures and small groups. That’s not an easy task, but we invite you to join us in it.

Eating togetherWe have the chance to eat lunch together as a community every weekday, the cost of which is included in full-time student fees, and it’s a great way to build strong friendships, debate ideas that have come up in lectures, or quiz faculty members about tough topics. Spouses and children are always welcome at mealtimes too.

ConnectDesigned to give spouses of Trinity students a chance to regularly meet together, our Connect group provides space for worship, prayer, pastoral care, personal development, theological learning and the building of friendships that will help support your whole family throughout your time at Trinity and beyond.

Trinity College Day NurseryWe have our own Ofsted-registered day nursery on campus which, as well as serving the families of Trinity students, is also open to the public, so it offers a great chance to get to know other families in the local area. The children of full-time Trinity students are able to attend for a significantly subsidised fee.

AccommodationWe know that where and how you make your home has a big impact on what you’re able to gain from and give to the community during your time here, and that’s especially true for those relocating to Bristol to study with us. In addition to the many properties Trinity owns or leases, most within a three-mile radius of the college, we can also house up to 30 people in our on-site accommodation, and our admissions team will happily talk with you about which of our accommodation options would suit you best.

Living in BristolA lively student city, Bristol is home to two large universities so it has a good network of buses, plenty of parks and open spaces, great shops, several interesting art galleries and museums, lots of theatres and live music venues, a beautiful cathedral and more good restaurants than anyone on a student budget will ever be able to get through! You’ll also find it to be a very family-friendly city, with the @Bristol planetarium and hands-on science centre, the Aquarium, a large zoo and the annual hot-air balloon fiesta and kite festival.

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Come and get stuck in to a community seeking to reflect God’s Kingdom and prepare people to live, learn and lead in the light of it.

Although it’s my husband training

and not me, it’s amazing how much Trinity feels like my college as well. It’s just the right size community for me to know everyone by sight if not by name and I feel honoured and acknowledged as my husband’s spouse but also just for being me. And Connect has been a great way to get involved with college life, explore my own gifting and meet others on similar journeys. We’ve had our first child since we’ve been in Bristol and the support and friendship (and even meals!) the community has provided have really blessed us.”

Heather Land, 35Wife of a second-year ordinand


Undergraduate study in Theology, Ministry and Mission• Certificate (one year)• Diploma (two years)• BA (Hons) (three years)

Graduate study in Theology, Ministry and Mission• GradDip (one year)

Postgraduate study in Theology, Ministry and Mission• PGDip (one year)• MA (one year)• MPhil, MLitt and PhD (see page 14)

Our taught Theology programmes are accredited by Durham University.

The course lengths shown are for full-time study, but all of our programmes can also be studied part time if you want to grow in your knowledge of the Bible and Theology

alongside your work and family commitments. Even if you don’t want to aim for an accredited qualification, you can still work towards an internal college award (the Trinity Foundation Certificate) or just sign up for one module at a time.

Our evangelical ethos means we take Scripture very seriously and it stands at the core of all our academic programmes.

You can choose to engage with the Bible through detailed study of a particular book or theme in a biblical studies module; you can focus on leadership topics such as preaching, mission, pastoral care, or discipleship; you can dig into the details of doctrine and church history; and you can explore how Theology interacts with the world around us with modules on multi-faith awareness, Theology and the environment, or Christian ethics.

If you’re applying from overseas then take a look at trinitycollegebristol.ac.uk/internationals to find out more about becoming a student at Trinity and the academic and practical implications of studying in another country.

If you have a learning difficulty or a disability then trinitycollegebristol.ac.uk/learningsupport will give you more information about how our Disability Adviser and Study Support Tutor can help you during your time at Trinity.

I really enjoy life at Trinity. Every day I

find myself facing new and exciting challenges that are pushing me to develop my faith and Theology. The staff lead classes that engage me and allow me to grow personally, emotionally and spiritually. I know I’ll be well equipped to serve in whatever context I find myself after my time here.”

Shakeel Nurmahi, 19First year, BA (Hons)

Theology programmes

Theology at Trinity is vibrant, challenging, dynamic, Spirit-filled and ultimately the intellectual life-blood of the missional church. So whether you’re thinking about church leadership or mission, or you’re aiming to take your theological learning into the mainstream world of work, this is the place to engage with the Word of God.


The qualifications you can pursue with us:

See trinitycollegebristol.ac.uk/theologyprogrammes for a more detailed module list and to find out more about entry requirements, fees and our timetable.


Revd Dr Steve Finamore Tutor in Doctrine and Biblical Studies

Revd Sian Murray- Williams Tutor in Pastoral Theology and Worship

Dr Anthony Reddie Tutor in Practical Theology

Revd Dr Peter Hatton Tutor in Biblical Studies

Revd Mike Pears Tutor in Urban Mission

Stuart Murray-Williams Tutor in Mission

Our teaching facultyA snapshot of some of the people who will teach, challenge, encourage and inspire you during your time at Trinity.

Our teaching is shared with our partners Bristol Baptist College, so you will also be able to benefit from the wisdom and experience of their faculty

Our associate faculty: Revd Prof Craig BartholomewProf Craig A. EvansDr Paula GooderVery Revd Dr David HoyleRevd David Runcorn

“My goal is to open up before students the vast and wondrous realities of the Christian faith so they are compelled to preach the gospel confidently, imaginatively and with great spiritual wisdom. I want them to carry into their work and ministries a clearer vision of the God who has revealed himself in Jesus Christ and so to grow in their trust that this God can indeed empower them to do all he has called them to do.”

Dr Justin Stratis Tutor in Christian Doctrine

“When the insights of the Bible and Theology are offered to any context, be it the world of the child or the teenager, or the place of the city or the countryside, or the pastoral space of the newborn or the dying, it is then that mission sparks into life. It is my passion to see all our theological thought result in Christ-driven missional activity.”

Revd Dr Howard Worsley Tutor in Missiology

Revd Dr Yong Ho Jeon Tutor in Old Testament

Revd Dr Nigel Scotland Tutor in Church History

Dr John Bimson Tutor in Old Testament

Revd Dr Paul Roberts Tutor in ChristianWorship

Revd Dr Knut Heim Tutor in Old Testament

Revd Sue Gent Director of Pastoral Studies

Revd Dr Emma Ineson Principal

Dr David Ball Tutor in New Testament

“Is the gospel a detachable thing we can possess and pass on, or is it in the very dynamic of our engagement with one another? That question has occurred to me often, both when I’ve been studying and when I’ve been involved in church leadership. At Trinity we refuse to wedge apart Theology and practice. We want a rich Theology of the gospel of Christ to inform not only our message but also our ministry, the end as well as the means.”

Revd Dr Jon Coutts Tutor in Theology

“Why do I love teaching the New Testament? Because Jesus changed the world and is changing people’s lives, so it’s an amazing privilege to teach about him and to equip others to do the same. A fantastic job!”

Dr Gordon Wenham Tutor in Old Testament

“What songs are still popular 3,000 years after they were written? Where are today’s newspaper stories, anticipated 2,500 years ago? Who predicted the life of Christ 600 years before he came? The answers to these questions are all to be found in the Old Testament and I take great joy in teaching such a rich and relevant document.” Find out more about our faculty and their work at trinitycollegebristol.ac.uk/faculty

Revd Prof John Nolland Tutor in New Testament

Revd Dr David Wenham Tutor in New Testament


Postgraduate research

We currently have almost 50 research students exploring new frontiers of Theology through our postgraduate research programme.


Postgraduate work can be intense at

times and there’s a lot of new challenges, but Trinity have been so supportive. Although I’m doing my research remotely I’ve been made to feel a real part of the community through everything from the annual research conference to joining in postgrad seminars via live streaming. The academics are rigorous, the educators are committed to their fields of study and Bristol is an amazing city in which to spend some time each year. I highly recommend studying at Trinity.”

Brian LePort, 32Second year, PhD trackBased in the USA

We offer several degrees at Masters and Doctoral levels and have a range of gifted scholars and prominent experts on our faculty who are experienced in supervising research. We also have access to other specialists through our various Associate Faculty, our partner Bristol Baptist College and our wider theological and academic links.

If you study through us you will be assigned an internal supervisor from within the Trinity community, who will have expertise in your chosen field and whose job it is to advise, guide and encourage you in your work. If you choose to do your research from a distance we will work with you to find an additional supervisor closer to home, appropriately experienced and qualified, so that you have the best possible support.

You’ll also be expected to come to the college at least once per year, to connect with your supervisor and your fellow researchers, to attend (and possibly present at) our annual research conference and to engage with the wider Trinity community.

Whatever your area of interest, we would love to talk further with you about how Trinity could help you delve deeper into it.

See trinitycollegebristol.ac.uk/research for more information.

Some of our postgraduate students are based with us in Bristol and others are spread out across the world, but all share Trinity’s Kingdom-focused approach to theological learning and are engaging with a variety of academic and practical topics in the context of vibrant personal faith and a commitment to mission.


Worship and prayerWe begin every day with

worship and prayer together in our morning chapel services

and we meet for Communion as a whole community once a week.

SilenceThe whole college observes

an hour of silence each week and we also have three quiet days each year. These offer different opportunities for personal and corporate reflection, prayer and

spiritual growth.Pastoral groupsFull-time students havethe opportunity to be in

a pastoral group, meeting weekly with 8-10 others for worship, prayer and theological reflection.

Prayer triplets The forming of prayer triplets

is a key part of our community life, helping make sure that personal

support, encouragement and accountability are available for every

individual. These relationships will often continue to provide valuable support

well beyond your time at Trinity.

Spiritual formation

At Trinity we’re preparing people to live Kingdom lives, the source of which must be our relationship with God, through Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit. So we make it a priority to establish patterns of prayer and worship which allow us to regularly hear from and offer ourselves to God.



At Trinity we’ve found Matthew 6:33 to be a key verse, as it urges us to “seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness”. In other words, to make it our priority to live in a way that draws people towards our loving God and his perfect Kingdom.

There isn’t a blueprint for leadership, a one-size-fits-all plan that will guarantee the spiritual flourishing of individuals and churches up and down the nation. But there are good practices and right

principles, Kingdom character traits and values, that Jesus tells us need to guide our lives and our ministries. Ultimately we believe that God has given us the task of shaping leaders of Christ-like character in community for a missional church. So that’s what you’ll be signing up for if you join us: being rooted in a diverse, lively, supportive family of people encouraging one another to be leaders who passionately pursue God and his Kingdom so that more people can know the joy of relationship with him.

Our ordination programmes are particularly geared towards training people for ministry in the Church of England, although a number of our students are preparing for service in different denominations or in other provinces of the Anglican Communion.

There are three different ways to engage with ordination training at Trinity:

I really wanted a college where

practical experience and theological study would be well integrated, and where I could continue to explore my call within the context of a vibrant, supportive Christian community. For me, Trinity offers all of this and a whole lot more! It’s an authentic and dynamic place to learn and to be challenged and transformed in my relationship with God. I’m so thrilled I chose to come here!”

Jo Purle, 44First-year ordinand

Full-time residential1

Full-time non-residential2

Part-time3

Ordination training

Now is both an exciting and very challenging time to be a Christian leader. We’re faced with the task of re-evangelising our society, but in the context of a nation that has largely forgotten or dismissed the basic message of Christianity which once shaped its values and its way of life. In an age when Christianity is seen as irrelevant or even destructive, how can we lead communities of faith in living out a message which is genuinely good news?



Full-time non-residentialAllows you to set your theological learning in a church ministry context

Half of your time will be spent working for a church and the other half will be spent studying, with one day per week here at college. You’ll dive briefly but deeply into a range of lectures, seminars and discussion groups, then head back into your church context to put it all to work in daily ministry, often moving from theory to practice in the space of 24 hours. This immersion in a ministerial context gives you a unique opportunity to apply your learning to your leadership and ministry work almost instantly.

If you train for ordination non-residentially, you’ll work towards either a Diploma or BA in Theology, Ministry and Mission. The Diploma takes two years to complete and the BA takes three years.

If you don’t already have a degree then you’ll most likely work towards either the Diploma or the BA; if you do already have a degree (2:1 or above) then some combination of the GradDip/PGDip and MA will probably suit you best.

Part-timeLets you train for church leadership alongside other work commitments

This programme is flexible, so you can work full- or part-time while you study. The majority of the teaching happens in the evenings or at weekends, but you’ll still share some classes with other full-time students. Alongside your work you’ll be engaging with Theology in practical and academic ways, enjoying a range of lectures, seminars and small group work as well as getting the chance to put your learning into practice in a local church context.

If you train for ordination part-time, you’ll work towards a Diploma in Theology, Ministry and Mission, which takes three years to complete.

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Trinity offers you the ability to switch between training modes from year to year if you need to, so no matter what changes in your church, work or family life, your training is always the best fit for your situation.

Full-time residentialOffers a great integration of practical opportunities and academic learning

A good portion of your time will be spent learning through lectures and seminars; tackling practical, pastoral and theological issues in small groups; and worshipping and praying your way through this training period alongside others in the community. Yet you’ll also be involved with a local church, helping to lead and serve the congregation both on Sundays and throughout the week. This immersion in a learning and formational community allows you to engage with the Bible in an in-depth way alongside practical, contextual ministry experience.

The shape of your week Your academic programme

1Sundays kick-start your involvement in your local church throughout the week; Mondays are study days; our main lecture days are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; and Wednesdays are the main space safeguarded for personal and community spiritual development.

You’ll have one day per week at college, at least one day for personal study and up to three days to work at a church. The only fixed day is your college day, which will be a Tuesday; the remaining days can be divided up in whatever way works best for you and your church. You’ll also be expected to take part in four study weekends, a seven-day summer school and a five-day Integrated Learning Week each year.

Your main teaching sessions will be on Tuesday evenings, although you can choose to take modules from the full-time programme on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays if that fits your schedule. You’ll also be expected to take part in five study weekends, a seven-day summer school and a five-day Integrated Learning Week each year.


How to apply

Come to an Open DayA quick look at trinitycollegebristol.ac.uk/visitus will let you know the date of our next Open Day, although you’re welcome to visit us at any point – just email our admissions team on [email protected]

Fill in an application formFind it at trinitycollegebristol.ac.uk/applynow then just email it to our admissions team and they’ll be in touch.

Talk to us about an interviewAn interview offers a chance for us to talk more personally with you about your spiritual journey, your education and work experiences and your sense of where and what God is calling you to. You can ask about arranging one at an Open Day or by emailing our admissions team.


Live like the Kingdom is near


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Trinity College Bristol Prospectus 2015

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