As part of an exciting part-funded collaboration with the Methodist Church in Britain, Heather will be helping to excavate learning about evangelism and growth from NPNP related pioneer projects. She will also be contributing to the College’s broader research, publication and teaching in evangelism and mission.
Heather Major is already well-known as a scholar and leader in the national and international academic community of those who study and teach evangelism and mission. Her appointment at Cliff College not only continues our heritage as a place of learning and formation for those called to mission and ministry but expands our reach as we develop a global centre for research and teaching in the areas of evangelism and missiology. We are thrilled to welcome her to Cliff as a colleague in this good work.
Andrew Stobart, Vice-Principal (Academic), and Jeff Conklin-Miller, Vice-Principal (Mission), Cliff College
Dr Heather J Major is Canadian by birth and Scottish by association, having lived in Scotland since 2009. She has a PhD in Practical Theology, Rural Church and Mission from the University of Glasgow and an MTh in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament with the University of Edinburgh. Her research in rural churches led to her involvement with the International Rural Churches Association (IRCA) and she was elected chairperson in 2023. She is passionate about discipling, teaching, training and equipping local people for ministry in local places and has a particular interest in pastoral and missional applications for the psalms of lament.
I am thrilled to be appointed to the role. It is exciting to see a position that has opportunities to impact both church practice and academic discussions. I am looking forward to working alongside the Methodist Church in Britain and local teams as we explore the NPNP initiative over the coming years. I am also looking forward to bringing everything from my interdisciplinary academic background and varied personal interests into the community at Cliff College. I anticipate the next few years will be a time of change and growth and I am excited about being part of the story.
Dr Heather Major
We are delighted with Heather's appointment and the wealth of experience she brings to the role. The fruitfulness research is a vital piece of work that will help the Methodist Church understand the work of the Holy Spirit in the New Places for New People. These are now beginning as a result of the vision of Methodist people and significant investment of funding and resources. We are excited that the findings will emerge as the new Christian communities grow, so that other contexts across the Connexion joining the New Places for New People movement can learn from what is discovered.
Evangelism and Growth team of the Methodist Church in Britain
Cliff College looks forward to welcoming Heather onto its staff team in September 2023.
Other News
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Cliff Festival 2024: Rerouted
Cliff Festival 2024 runs from 24-27 May and is titled 'Rerouted: Making peace on the journey'. You can buy your tickets here!
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The Beauty of God - a new book from Ben Pugh
We sat down with Dr Ben Pugh, one of Cliff's faculty, to find out all about his new book.
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Luke in the Holy Land - a study tour with Cliff College
The 12-day ‘Luke in the Holy Land’ study tour is based in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth and encourages us to consider how we read Scripture contextually against the backdrop of the land.
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Hiring: Chef
Cliff College is now seeking an enthusiastic and positive individual to join our team as a full-time chef.