Foundations for Mission and Ministry
Foundations for Mission and Ministry covers the essentials of Christian theology and practice in accessible and creative ways. The course will help you develop your existing missional practice and prepare you for new areas and opportunities for ministry. Apply online here.
Foundations for Mission and Ministry is a two-year, part-time programme covering essential teaching and training for Christian mission and ministry today.
Drawing on Cliff College’s expertise over many years training men and women for mission and evangelism, both in the UK and globally, this programme is designed for people exploring or already engaged in paid or voluntary mission and ministry and will supplement and develop your existing skills whilst challenging and stretching them in new areas.
Offered either entirely online or in a hybrid model, students will take six units including Integrating Theology and Practice, Pastoral Practice and Growing in Leadership.
The majority of the teaching and learning for the programme will take place online, with some live seminars available either online or onsite at Cliff College in Derbyshire, or at Edgehill House in Belfast. Assessment methods are highly practical and include creative written assignments and recorded presentations.
Cliff College is an approved partner of The University of Manchester. This programme has been developed by Cliff College and leads to the award of undergraduate credit from The University of Manchester.
You can also take individual units from this programme as standalone courses. Read more about this option here.
Find out more about this course at one of our upcoming events:
Standalone Units
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Read moreChristian Theology in Outline
This course introduces students to the major questions explored by key Christian doctrines and enables them to strengthen their grasp of Christian faith.
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Read more
Christian Spirituality
This online course introduces students to key theories, movements, figures and practices relating to spirituality in the Christian tradition.
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Read more
Growing in Leadership
This online course introduces students to key approaches in self-management, leadership and teamwork for Christian mission and ministry.
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Read more
Issues Facing the Church Today
This online course introduces students to basic approaches to Christian ethics and public theology and explores a number of key issues that dominate the church’s discourse.
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Reading the Old Testament
This online course is an introduction to the literature, history and message of the Old Testament.
Excellent, sequential course. The video presentations were short, focused and relevant.
I have been truly blessed to be part Cliff College this year. I feel part of the community even from afar, have enjoyed every unit, and the course is stretching my theological thinking and reflection.
Sarah Howes
Dates
This programme is available with entry points in September, January and April.
Each unit is delivered mainly online, and can be completed in about 10 weeks, with a couple of hours per week of engagement with online material and personal study. The unit has three hours of seminars which will be held on the following dates. You can choose to join the seminars online, or to come and join us in person at the specified location.
Unit title | Unit start date | Seminar day |
| Christian Theology in Outline | October 2023 | TBC |
| Growing in Leadership | January 2024 | TBC |
| April 2024 | TBC |
Please note that students should choose either Ministry in the Methodist Tradition or Evangelism and Christian Mission for their spring unit.
Fees
The tuition fee for the full programme (comprising six units) is £2,000. Alternatively, it is possible to take individual units at a cost of £360 per unit.
If you choose to join us in person for seminars (either at Cliff College in Derbyshire or at Edgehill House in Belfast, rather than accessing these online) you will be responsible for your own travel and accommodation costs.
You may be able to apply for funds towards the cost of this professional development programme from your church or employer. There is also a discount available for students supported by their local Methodist church or circuit; please contact enquiries@cliffcollege.ac.uk for more information.
Applications for this programme are open now - apply here! If you have any questions about the course or would like to speak to someone before applying, please contact enquiries@cliffcollege.ac.uk.
This programme is a part-time programme with students taking one unit each term over a two year period. Students can start in September, January or March as these units do not need to be taken in a particular order. Please specify in the application form in which year you intend to commence your studies.
If you are applying as part of your training for a Local Lay Pastor role, please state this in the 'personal statement' section of the application form.
Entry requirements
A Level 3 qualification (such as an A Level) or equivalent.
It is recognised that standard procedures for assessing applications may not always provide an accurate understanding of an applicant's suitability. In such cases where a Level 3 qualification is not held, qualification it is still possible to apply, and these applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, in line with our non-standard entry process.
English language proficiency
Applicants whose first language is not English shall have achieved an overall IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent in an equivalent recognised test. This must have been achieved no longer than two years before the date of enrolment on the course.
The programme is designed to be completed over two years, with each unit designed to be completed over 12 weeks.
The Foundations for Mission and Ministry is suitable for those in any church denomination and is approved as a key element of training for the Local Lay Pastor scheme in the Methodist Church in Britain and for ordination training in the Methodist Church in Ireland.
For all students, the programme can form part of professional ministry development, and is a valuable way to demonstrate growing expertise in a range of pastoral, missional and ministry contexts.
Successful completion of the programme may also prepare students to access other higher education awards in theology, ministry and mission.