For the Christian, the spiritual discipline of studying the Bible is a top priority. Personal reading and studying of the Word of God should be part of our everyday walk as Christians. However, if you’re wanting to set aside time to learn more about God and His Word, you should seriously consider taking a part-time or full-time course of study. There are lots of options, but to help you out we’ve chosen four of the most popular places for studying the Bible and Theology in Northern Ireland.
Our four contributors have very kindly taken the time to answer some quick questions about what they have on offer:
Jonny Beggs is Recruitment & Communications Coordinator for Belfast Bible College (BBC) in Dunmurry. Jonny promotes the college to potential students, making sure that schools, churches and organisations are aware of the full range of courses which the college has to offer.
Moore Casement is Director of the Cornhill Course in Belfast (CB), which is held in Kirkpatrick Memorial Presbyterian Church. Prior to joining the Cornhill team, Moore had been a solicitor before training as a Presbyterian Minister.
Edwin Ewart is Principal of the Irish Baptist College (IBC), located just outside Moira. Before taking up this role Edwin had over 20 years of pastoral experience in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and had guest lectured at IBC for 19 years.
Stafford Carson is Principal of Union Theological College (UTC), which is located just behind the main Queen’s campus in Belfast. Before joining the Faculty of Union, Stafford had been a Presbyterian Minister and Executive Vice-President at Westminster Theological Seminary.
1. Can you tell us a little bit about the history of __________?
BBC: Belfast Bible College started in the 1940’s as a response to people being called by God to serve in Mission work, both in the UK & Ireland and around the world. Our heart is to train people from across all denominations to understand God’s Word and apply it missionally to the world we live in.
CB: The course began in London twenty-five years ago, as a way of encouraging and equipping people to teach the bible in variety of contexts, although with the main focus being on preaching. The course had been running for seven years in Belfast and is non-denominational, drawing people from a variety of evangelical backgrounds.
IBC: IBC is the training College of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland. It was founded in Dublin in 1892, modelled on Spurgeon’s Pastors College. Now located in Moira, N. Ireland, it continues to train people from a wide variety of Christian backgrounds for pastoral work, missionary service and also for youth work and as a foundation for RE teaching.
UTC: Union Theological College is the denominational college of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland although as well as training students for the ordained ministry of PCI we are the only college which teaches Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Divinity degree courses for Queen’s University.
2. What courses can I take at __________?
BBC: We have a complete range of courses from Evening Classes at £75 a term to full time 3 year degree courses at about £4000 per year. Our courses focus on Biblical Studies, to understand the Bible in depth; Practical Theology, to know how to apply the Bible for use in our everyday lives, and Mission to equip people to bring the gospel to their own communities and also to every country around the world.
CB: Although we have run occasional evening classes, there is one main course. It can either be taken over one year, full-time (four teaching days per week) or over two years part-time (two teaching days per week). The course runs from mid September to mid June and the cost is £3000 for the full-time course or £1,800 per year, for the part-time option. Each year, in June, we run a one week summer school, which covers some of the key aspects of the course and is useful both for those who are considering doing the full course, as well as for those who are not able to take the full course, but would like some basic training in how to handle the bible.
IBC: The core course at IBC is the Ministry Preparation Programme accredited by the University of Chester. This is often taken alongside the College Diploma Course and together these programmes aim to give students the key building blocks needed for ministry in a wide variety of settings. The College offers Graduate Diploma, MA & DMin programmes through Chester and MTh & PhD with Queen’s University. In addition, there are a range of Christian Education Certificate & Diploma Courses at non-University level which are offered mainly in the evening and at weekends. Costs of courses range from £4700 p.a. for Ministry Preparation Course to £220 p.a. for CEC Courses.
UTC: The basic degree courses at Union are the Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Divinity degrees granted by Queen’s University. We also offer joint degree programmes of Theology with History, or English, or Philosophy. We have certificate and diploma courses in Youth Ministry. Those preparing for ordained ministry follow a postgraduate Diploma in Ministry course.
3. What is student life like at __________?
BBC: For our full time students life is varied, time spent learning in class and studying in the library is interspersed with opportunities for prayer, worship and service. We have a lot of students who live in our hostels onsite, which means students have more time to build friendships that will last a lifetime while encouraging and challenging each other to go deeper in their faith.
CB: One of the greatest blessings of Cornhill has been the way that students of varying ages from a variety of backgrounds have all got on so well together. Since the course does not have exams, the spirit among the students tends to be one of collaboration rather than competition. There is time for socialising throughout the day, over coffee breaks and lunchtime, and sometimes students will arrange other social activities outside class time. In terms of the work expected from students, there are no essays or assignments to be written, but over the duration of the course, students have to prepare about twenty talks, ranging from 5 minutes for 20 minutes long. This means that, in addition to time in class, they do need to allow a few more hours each week for preparation.
IBC: The College offers training that is practical, academic and convictional aiming at character formation in a friendly community. IBC is passionate about the Bible, the gospel and the church and these convictions undergird everything that we do. There are approximately 200 people following the various programmes at IBC with between 30 and 40 training full-time during the day. Residential accommodation in student rooms is available and the benefit of healthy personal relationships is emphasised. One recent student stated: `I am really enjoying life at IBC. I can’t wait to get up in the morning! The lectures are so inspirational and the fellowship is such a blessing`.
UTC: Student life at Union is busy and exciting. Altogether we have over 200 students and there is a lively programme of extra-curricular sports and social activities, plus access to all the student life and activities at Queen’s University.
4. How am I spiritually nurtured at __________?
BBC: We want each of our students to know God more through studying at the college, it’s not enough just to have good head knowledge if your heart isn’t also strengthened. There are many opportunities to pray in different ways, our prayer room, world prayer times, prayer triplets. We also have half a dozen praise and worship bands which lead the college community throughout the week in times of corporate worship. And our friendly teachers and staff lead “Connect Groups” each week with small groups of students exploring issues of life and faith.
CB: We begin every day with students praying together in two’s and three’s and they are also encouraged to meet in fellowship groups at lunchtime once a fortnight to pray together. Since we are looking in class at what God is saying to us from his word, we should be spiritually nurtured as we are constantly being reminded of who he is and what he has revealed to us in his word.
IBC: Staff & Students meet together for regular devotions and group prayer times. There is also opportunity to test and develop ministry skills on placements which are at the heart of the Ministry Preparation Programme. In addition all students spend a week in teams working alongside local churches in evangelistic outreach throughout Ireland (and Scotland).
UTC: We hold worship times twice each week alongside pastoral groups and informal prayer groups. One of our weekly worship times includes a “Window on the World” where we reflect on current issues and the needs of the wider world.
5. How can I find out more about __________?
BBC: All our information is on our website www.belfastbiblecollege.com. You can email info@belfastbiblecollege.com and ask for a Prospectus to be posted to you and you can come along to one of our Open Days, which are on every couple of months, see website for the next one.
CB: We have a website – cornhillbelfast.org – and we also are happy for people to come in to sit in on classes for a day, in order to get more of a feel for the course and be able to meet the current students. Another way of sampling something of what the course is about is by signing up for the summer school week, which this year runs from 6th- 10th June, from 9.30am to 4.30pm each day. If you want to arrange a visit or would like to meet someone to chat further about the course, then please email info@cornhillbelfast.org.
IBC: The Irish Baptist College, 19 Hillsborough Road, Moira, Co. Down, BT670HG. Visit our website at www.irishbaptistcollege.co.uk or call and arrange a visit. Tel: 02892619267 or 04892619267 (RoI). There is a College Open Night on Tuesday 12th April 2016 (6.30-9.30pm with a presentation at 7.30pm).
UTC: Almost everything you need to know is available on our website. We love to talk to prospective students and to offer a tour of the College where you can meet some of our current students. Just phone 028 9020 5080 to arrange a visit.
