South Downs Ministry Training Course

Background

The South Downs MTC is one of many regional course established in recent years to train men and women of all ages to 'rightly handle the word of truth'. Like our sister course, the South Coast Ministry Training Course, based in Eastbourne, we are part of the Sussex Gospel Partnership.

The South Downs MTC

We are a one year course, starting in September, with 3 ten week terms, and based at Bishop Hannington Church in Hove. The course is held on Thursdays, from 9.30am - 1.00pm, finishing with lunch together, and then an optional hour of New Testament Greek in the early afternoon.

We encourage men and women of all ages to join the course. We'll help you to understand the Bible better, and be better equipped to handle it whether that be in leading a small group, as a youth and children's leader, Christian Union leader, preacher or any other form of Christian 'word ministry'.

There's no homework other than preparing when it's your turn to lead a devotional or make a presentation to the preaching group (see below) and we don't take exams. But course members may well want to do some background reading during the week.

Course content (over 3 terms)

  • Bible overview - This will give you a bird's eye view of the Bible, so you'll be able to see how it all fits together.

  • Christian Doctrine - So what does the Bible have to say about you, God, Jesus Christ, the end of the world? We'll open up these and other key Christian doctrines.

  • Practical - How do I lead someone to Christ? How do I prepare a talk? How about setting up a one-to-one, or using PowerPoint? We'll help you with these and many more.
  • Preaching Groups - These give you practical help in working on a particular passage with a view to teaching it in outline to your peers. Invaluable!
  • Exposition - Being taught an entire Bible book so we can teach it effectively, whether it's in a small group, youth group pulpit or wherever.
  • New Testament Greek - It's not as bad as it sounds and it's really useful! Some may wish to stay on after lunch to grasp the basics.
  • And there's more... as opportunity arises we'll also be inviting key Christian experts to come and address us on specific issues within the Christian church. How about "Can a Christian be an Anglican?" or "If you get divorced, can you remarry?"

Course Leaders

The South Downs Ministry Training Course is organised by the church leaders of Bishop Hannington Church in Hove and St. Margaret's in Angmering. We will take a significant role in teaching the course, as will other senior ministers from Sussex Gospel Partnership member churches.

Cost

The cost of the course is £100 per term.

More information

For more information (and an application form) please contact Wendy Sands at the Sussex Gospel Partnership.