This programme is for people who want to study the theology of the Wesleys and spirituality of early Methodism, as a way of reflecting on the challenges of mission-shaped discipleship today. The teaching is designed for lay or ordained people of all traditions, and examines the relationships between spiritual growth, using spiritual disciplines, sharing small group fellowship, and engaging in witness and service.
ohn and Charles Wesley are approached as spiritual mentors who pass on the wisdom of ancient Christianity through the streams of mystical, Purtian, Pietist and revival spirituality. The resulting Wesleyan vision of discipleship provides a lens through which to explore patterns of renewal and mission in the contemporary Church.
This course can be undertaken as a full-time or part-time course, to Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Masters level. The Certificate requires completion of two units of study, the Diploma, four, and the Master of Arts, four units plus a dissertation. Each unit of study requires a five-day teaching week at Cliff College; accommodation is provided in single study bedrooms at Cliff College. Part-time students normally complete two units and full-time students four units of study per year. Units of study include those listed below.
Core units:
WTS1: Wesleyan Theology and Spirituality - major themes include:
- The historic roots of early Methodism
- Evangelism in the Wesleyan spirit
- The Wesleyan way of salvation
- Early Methodist hymnody and spirituality
- Wesleyan approaches to disciplined discipleship.
- The course is assessed by a 6000-7000 word paper.
WTS2: Wesleyan Approaches to the Spiritual Life - major themes include:
- Spiritual influences on Wesleyan theology
- The holy life as a spiritual journey
- Christian experience and spiritual formation
- Mutual accountability and spiritual direction
- Holiness, mission and medicine!
Each unit is assessed by a 6,000-7,000 word assignment.
The programme makes extensive use of primary sources, from John Wesley’s writings to Charles Wesley’s hymns, and some of the spiritual classics that influenced them.
This stream can be undertaken part time at a number of different levels:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Mission (Wesleyan Theology and Spirituality): a two-year part-time course incorporating the two units of study.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Mission (Wesleyan Theology and Spirituality): a two-year part-time course incorporating the two core units of study and two units of study from across the syllabus.
- MA in Mission (Wesleyan Theology and Spirituality): a two-year part-time course incorporating the two units of study AND two units of study from across the syllabus, plus a Masters level dissertation of 12–15,000 words.
For part-time students, there are two residential weeks throughout the year, each of which introduce one unit of study. The modules specific to the course are delivered in the April of alternating years. It is expected that part-time students will work on average 12 hours a week for 30 weeks in each year in addition to researching a dissertation, if required. Full-time students will complete all the units relevant to their course in a year (up to four for MA level) and have until the following March to submit a dissertation, if required.
