Coming soon: Level 3 Diploma in Preaching from Cliff College

Our Diploma in Preaching has been carefully designed to cover key areas of knowledge and practice. You’ll gain a firm foundation in the call and craft of preaching, the text of Scripture and the Methodist theological tradition, and the building blocks of worship that communicate Jesus’ joyful news in the world today.

How the programme is delivered

For this Diploma we have blended our expertise in producing inspiring online learning that can be studied at any time from any place with the importance of gathering together with others to develop and reflect on practical skills. In this Diploma, you can expect:

• An 18-month online learning programme, packed with short, engaging tutorial videos and guided online resources and activities. You’ll complete this in four blocks, taking roughly four months for each block.
• Monthly online tutorials with Cliff College tutors. These evening drop-in sessions are a regular opportunity to ask questions, get support and deepen your learning with others.
• Four Saturday Diploma Gatherings that mark the end of each block. In these Gatherings you can expect to practice elements of leading worship and preaching in a supportive environment, and get constructive feedback from our teaching team.

Everyone learns in different ways, and we have designed the Diploma with a variety of learning preferences in mind. We recommend that you set aside five hours per week to get the most from this Diploma.

There will be different assessment tasks throughout your study, which will include multiple-choice quizzes, short written responses, creative activities and observations of practice. Successful completion of the Diploma results in a qualification at Level 3, which is broadly equivalent to two A-Levels. 

Who is it for?

The Diploma in Preaching is for all aspiring preachers who want to start out with a firm foundation. You don’t need to have preached before, but we do ask you to come with a reference or recommendation from your church, affirming that they recognise that you are ready to explore a call to preach. For those undertaking this training for accreditation within the Methodist Church in Britain, this can be your ‘note to preach’. You need to be comfortable in speaking, reading and writing in the English language. Because you’ll be learning together with a cohort, you need to be willing to engage actively and respectfully with others, online and in person. 
 

What qualifications and accreditation do I get from it?

As well as being a Level 3 qualification, successful completion of the Diploma fulfils the learning requirements for accreditation as a Local Preacher in the Methodist Church in Britain (MCB) and the Methodist Church in Ireland (MCI). Cliff College acts as the Local Preacher tutor for your studies. To be accredited as a Local Preacher in MCB or MCI, you will also need to fulfil the requirements for accreditation through the completion of ‘trial services’ in your local Circuit and interview with your local Preacher Meeting. A local mentor will support you with these aspects of accreditation, in collaboration with the tutors at Cliff.
 

How much does it cost?

The total cost for the programme is £1500. This can be paid in one lump sum, in three instalments of £500 each or in 15 monthly instalments of £90 with an initial registration fee of £150. 
 

Do I have to be Methodist to take this programme?

No, the programme is suitable for all those who feel called to preach in a church context and have had that call recognised by their church. The programme will include some content that is directly relevant to preaching in a Methodist context and the distinctive features of Methodism, but we hope that these elements of the programme will be both interesting and helpful for preachers of all denominations.