What does ordination training need to include?

We are once again undertaking a review of ordination training in the Church of England, technically known as IME 1–3, Initial Ministerial Training years 1 to 3, to note that initial training continues in curacy prior to anyone becoming an incumbent (sole leader of a congregation). The reason for this is that all previous discussions …

Continue Reading

What can we learn from the history of the Bible?

All through this week, at 9.45 each morning, Radio 4 is playing abridged excerpts from Professor John Barton’s book The History of the Bible. I have found it quite a mixed bag, with some helpful and interesting insights on the one hand, but also including some unhelpful and skewed opinions expressed as objective assessments (which they are …

Continue Reading

Theology conferences 2018–2019

Jake Belder, who is a curate in the Diocese of York and holds a doctorate in practical theology from Durham University, was wondering whether there was anywhere a one-stop-shop list of conferences in theology (as opposed to ministry practice). He couldn’t find one, so he has used social media to create one—and here it is! I …

Continue Reading