COLLEGE LIFE

October/ November 2012

An invitation to a Journey
Two years ago the Baptist Union of Scotland issued our churches: An Invitation to a Journey. This is an invitation for us to move forward together being: Intentionally Relational, Unashamedly Missional, and Creatively Rooted. In part the courses which Scottish Baptist College offers to people are preparation for the journey.

How was your rst week at College?

Starting a new course of study can seem like a massive step, even for the students who already have a degree in another subject. As the rst week of the new academic drew to a close, four of the new students, from very different backgrounds, were exchanging friendly banter over a coffee. The stereotype of sitting in a lecture theatre full of strangers, passively taking notes, couldnt be further from the reality of what they experienced: Brilliant, challenging and informative. Excited about the road ahead. Intriguing in such a way that Ive never learned liked this before but already learning more than I thought. A solid introduction into a range of subjects. Interesting style of teaching- interactive and different. There are six full-time students in the rst year of the degree course and many more who have joined the College in other years having transferred credits. Please keep them in your prayers, as they continue to integrate into the College community.

Intentionally Relational: At the College, small group interactive learning as well as times of shared prayer and social activity creates among students and staff relationships of trust and friendship that last for years. Such activities also consciously introduce the disciplines and commitment that are required to make such relationships work. Unashamedly Missional: All of our learning takes place in a context where the pressing missional demands are implicit. In turn courses on Church and Mission, Church and Culture, and Reconciliation are among those which seek to explicitly bring theology and practice into a unied missional expression. Creatively Rooted: This relates to the way in which our Baptist principles and practices inuences our ministry and mission. At the College, we introduce our students to the way in which our tradition, rather than being a wearied denominationalism, offers a resource for the present practice "Under Christ's Rule. Rev. Dr Stuart Blythe, Lecturer

Creating Opportunities in Paisley

Since graduating this summer from the SBC, I have been devoting much of my time and efforts into volunteering with Create Paisley, a youth project in the town. I am not originally from Paisley, but I enjoy being there as I patiently wait for a call to longer term work. The project encourages interaction with young people in creative ways and in various settings, covering everything from one-to-one mentoring to large open mic. events. Create is more than a monthly opportunity to say whats on our heart. It is an opportunity for me to examine different kinds of youth and community work in action. The impact of what the project achieves starts a massive ripple effect- not only in the young people we work with, but in the community as a whole. This has given me passion and drive as well as afrmation on the journey which I am taking with God. My time at SBC stretched me and has equipped me in doing what I do, motivating others as part of a team and sustaining my own ministry through planning and reection. I see the theory and practical parts of my studies come into force as I work with this community. There is also a drive and determination that I developed at SBC, spurring me on to continue searching and listening to God as He directs my path. - Cindy Nelson BD (Hons)

If you are looking for opportunities to develop your own gifts through further learning, please see the article about classes starting in January or visit the College website at www.scottishbaptistcollege.org

Part-time Training
Increased numbers of part-time learners at the College is a fantastic development. Each subject can be a stand-alone module (595), runs 9.30am-1pm on the same day each week, and classes are held at the new facilities on the UWS campus in Paisley. The College website has been re-launched and includes details about course content. The winter 2012/ spring 2013 timetable is now available, with the following options at rst year level: Tuesdays-Christian Ethics Wednesdays-Faith Seeking Understanding Thursdays-Listening to Scripture New to the College? 100 discount applies for the rst module taken Further concessions available for Listening to Scripture Contact the College for details on eligibility.

Mission in Brazil
Full of energy and enthusiasm, third year student Rebekah Sharp reects on an emotionally-charged summer: I spent several weeks in Brazil with eleven girls I didnt know, through a charity most of my peers had not heard of and with expectations I was afraid to share. I had an incredible adventure with the opportunity to experience things I never thought I would, see sights I had only seen on TV and be a part of Gods work. By the end, I learned so much about myself, people and relationships in this land of extremes.

GroundedExchanging her role as

an RAF pilot to study for ministerial accreditation through the Baptist Union of Great Britain, Alice McDermott shares her experiences of moving to Scotland to study at the SBC: As I started back at college this year as a grown-up second year student, I have been reecting on how different life is one year on. This time last year, my husband and I gave up work and moved 400 miles north to Glasgow. We didnt know where we were going to live and we didnt know how it would all work out. One year on, we are settled in a at on the edge of the city and we have found a new routine outside of military life. I have preached in ten different churches through opportunities open to me through the college. We have made many new friends, but still miss our friends in Newbury. I know more, but I am certain of less! But what we are sure of, is that we have done the right thing. We are following Christ.

USA Conference
South Eastern Baptist Seminary, North Carolina, provided the magnicent location for the International Conference on Baptist Studies held in July this year. This was a gathering of Baptist historians and teachers from many parts of the world and I was privileged to be part of the conference to represent the Scottish Baptist College. My contribution was to give a seminar paper on the theme of Baptists as seen through the eyes of their Opponents in the 1640s. Scotland was well represented by Derek Murray from Aberdeen, Brian Talbot from Broughty Ferry and David Bebbington from Stirling. John Coffey from Leicester and Cindy Aalders from Oxford also added to the number of Brits taking part. The range and subject of the papers was fascinating, encompassing Baptist - Roman Catholic relations in Italy, Baptist women authors, How Anabaptists became Baptists, Baptist Missions in India, Appraisals of Spurgeon, Baptist Activities in West Africa, Baptists in Europe and Asia. Abiding memories of the conference, apart from the heat and humidity, were the warmth of welcome from our hosts, the atmosphere of friendship and the humble and engaging manner in which the papers were given. These will be published in book form and available for everyone soon. Its a great shame the conference comes around only every three years, but next time its in the UK. Ill be there, God willing! - Rev. Ian Birch, Lecturer and Registrar

My hope for the trip was to learn about how the church did mission. I wanted to bring back a model that I could use at home. On a human level, my heart softened I fell in love with the children we worked with. The team itself became like family. The passion that I developed there isnt for overseas work but for the Church in Scotland. For those who deserve to have someone who cares, to know that Jesus Christ loves them! At this stage in my degree course, you might expect me to share reections of the theology and missiology. But God revealed to me that his love is enough to save me from my sinful self. Scotland too deserves to know that Gods love is enough!

Like what you see? Any comments?

Please contact us at: Scottish Baptist College, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE Tel: 0141 848 3988 Email: isabella.stevenson@uws.ac.uk

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