NEWS FROM RIDLEY SUMMER 2018

WHY TRAIN RESIDENTIALLY?

www.ridley.cam.ac.uk ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Puppeteering What are the ministry in the theological supermarket motivations for EASTER MISSION 11 doing good? MEGACHURCHES Enabling reflective AND SOCIAL practice ENGAGEMENT RIDLEY LAY Back cover MINISTRY 4 Why train residentially?

As we come to the end of our 137th academic year at Ridley Hall, we have a great deal for which to thank God. Thirty-one men and women leave us to serve title posts around the UK. Recruitment for lay and ordained training for the coming year is deeply encouraging. Staff and returning stu- dents are in good heart. As a current or former student or and coping with others who are differ- supporter of Ridley Hall, you will have ent. It is important that future church some grasp of the value of residen- leaders-in-training experience grace in tial theological training. The Church their day-to-day relations with others, Times recently published an article to be able more fully to understand it, in which I set out some compelling live it, and communicate it. reasons for the Church to continue The gifts of time and space that res- to invest wholeheartedly in residen- idential training offers have a finan- tial training. An edited outline of part cial cost, but this represents value for of the article follows. I trust it will money for a Church committed to iden- help to deepen your commitment to tifying, training, and releasing a gener- prayerfully supporting God’s work in ation of pastor-theologians, along with this special place. those who will become the theological educators of the future. In addition, Residential training exposes men residential colleges working in relation- and women to the disciplines of daily ship with a university ensure academic corporate worship, living in community, accountability and intellectual integrity.

1 Such a relationship has the potential residential training will eventually do, to spark imaginative engagement with but is an ongoing, everyday experience contemporary ideas, and ensures that of living in Christ with others. students have something of worth to Residential training offers value for contribute to public debates on the money. A Church that trusts God to pro- complex issues of the day. vide abundantly for its needs refuses to Residential training offers a support- weigh the future in terms of the financial ive environment for individuals and families to prepare for a way of life that “Residential training can is likely to involve regular disruption. offer a window into the Part of the unwritten curriculum of res- idential training involves immersion in ‘real life’ of what a commu- the pressures and stresses incurred in nity of grace can become” ordained ministry. Many find it better to learn to cope with some of these bottom line. The Church of the future issues with the support of a residential will trust God for the resources neces- community than to experience them sary to ensure the continued flourishing for the first time on their own in a of ministerial training, because we are curacy or first incumbency. committed to giving our future leaders Residential training can offer a the best possible preparation for mis- window into the “real life” of what a sion and ministry. community of grace can become. “Real life” is wherever people are. Ministry REVD DR MICHAEL VOLLAND is not just something that a person in Principal of Ridley Hall

oughly Muslim settings. He helped us Bishop Michael Lewis to think creatively and constructively visits Ridley Hall about interfaith encounter and he challenged us to consider how such encounters might be more than super- ichael Lewis is Bishop ficial. Mof Cyprus and the Gulf. He explored the question of whether He visited Ridley Hall in May to Christian ecumenism makes a -differ give an inspirational lecture entitled, ence, concluding that it certainly does. “Beyond Survival: Anglican and Chris- He considered the question of discern- tian Presence and Practice in the Gulf ing vocations and fostering lifelong and Arabian Peninsula”. learning in transient places. Bishop Michael has been the Bishop of The Ridley community and members Cyprus and the Gulf since 2007. In his lec- of the Federation were greatly blessed ture he compared and contrasted minis- and encouraged by what Bishop try there with his previous life as Michael shared with us and we were and bishop in the . encouraged to prayerfully support the He talked about how it is possible ministry of our brothers and sisters in to be shaped for mission in such thor- the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf.

1 2 However, if you would like to come Free public lectures to one of the two public lectures, do let us know. As part of the programme we have Professor David Ford speaking he 2018 Lesslie Newbigin on Monday 9th July at the St John’s Old T Summer Institute is already Divinity School, and Professor Miroslav fully booked, but two of the Volf speaking on Thursday 12th July at lectures, by Professor David the Cripps Auditorium, Magdalene Col- Ford and Professor Miroslav Volf, are open to the public. Professor Ford and Professor The theme of the 2018 Institute is Volf will speak on July 9th and “Jesus and the World’s Faiths”, and as in 12th respectively previous years we will be taking Lesslie Newbigin’s work as the starting point lege. Both lectures are free of charge for our reflections on contemporary and will be held at 4.15pm and finish by mission. He confessed “Jesus Christ is 5.30pm. If you would like to book a place Lord of all” but said, with equal convic- at either or both of these lectures, do tion, “Jesus Christ is infinitely greater email us at [email protected] than my limited view of him”. so that we can reserve you a place. With speakers David Ford, Miroslav As in previous years, the Newbigin Volf, Muthuraj Swamy, Carol Walker and Centre is hosting the conference in Shirin Shafie we are thrilled to say that partnership with the Newbigin House the conference has quickly sold out! of Studies in San Francisco.

Hosting the weekend costs Ridley Thank you £8,000. During the Lent term Michael Volland wrote to friends and support- IN THE LENT TERM OF EACH ers of the College inviting them to YEAR WE TAKE OUR FIRST YEAR consider making a gift to our Annual ORDINANDS AND THEIR SPOUSES Fund to help us to meet the cost of TO A RETREAT CENTRE TO TAKE this crucial investment in the spiritual PART IN A PRAYER WEEKEND. formation of our ordinands and their It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to families. I am delighted to say that the spend time away together with God whole £8,000 was raised through gen- and to grow in faith, hope, love and erous donations from supporters. We understanding. The weekend allows give thanks to God for this provision! us to form deeper relationships with This provision will allow us to each other and to encounter God in include the Prayer Weekend in the new ways. It is through experiences ordinands’ programme of formation like this that ordinands are formed for and ensure that Ridley continues to a lifetime of ministry and provided with send out ministers and families who resources that will sustain them during are equipped to share the Good News the many years of service ahead. of Jesus with confidence and joy.

3 the same degree and therefore engage Enabling reflective in identical theological study to those training to be , but it has also pratice: Ridley Lay informed how we organise training for RLM students — moving to block week Ministry (RLM) teaching so that students experience being part of a worshipping learning his has been an exciting community — and our move away T year for RLM with forty-two from secular technical accreditation to students undertaking degree- a focus on faith and (trans)formation. level ministerial training in One difference between training children’s & families ministry, with RLM and training for ordination youth ministry and, for the first is the extent to which RLM students year ever, pioneer ministry. engage in ongoing ministry during their time at Ridley. RLM students are As we continue to attract more students, placed within an existing ministry team it has become necessary to grow our in a church or faith-based organisation team, and this September we are look- for the duration of their studies, often ing forward to filling two new posts: a undertaking up to twenty hours of min- children’s & families ministry tutor and a istry a week. Not only does this provide pastoral tutor. We will also be welcoming a context for students to develop their Andrew Dunlop who as part of his wider particular specialism — pioneer, youth, role at Ridley will also work with the RLM children and families, pastoral — and team as tutor for both lay pioneers and to develop key skills around collabora- students undertaking level 6 study as tive ministry, it is also a key plank in the part of their IME2 training (curacy). students’ overall learning experience. Central to each student’s learning and ministerial training is an emphasis on reflection-on-practice, or ministerial the- ological reflection. As we explain to all new students, our aim is not to produce an identikit of ministers but to support students to discern and join in with the work of the Holy Spirt where they have been called and with the people they The vision of RLM is for a church have been called to minister to and with. where ministers of all specialisms and We are therefore not interested in telling types – ordained, licensed, neither! – students what to do, but to facilitate the work together to build God’s kingdom depth of faith, learning and practical wis- in accordance with their unique mix of dom that will enable graduates to be the experience, giftings and abilities. It is for person God has called them to be, for His this reason that we have ensured that purposes, and His glory. the training received by RLM students is comparable with ordination training. ROBIN BARDEN Not only do RLM students undertake Director, Ridley Lay Ministry

3 4 Leaving with new energy and fresh vision

uring my two years Dat Ridley, I’ve heard many ordinands express surprise at finding themselves here.

I can echo that, having been just as surprised by God to be called to work at Ridley. And, like all who study here, I have learned that I came to leave. But I return to parish ministry — to be Rector of Pausing to pray: Wilmslow in Chester Diocese — with a new energy and fresh vision, the fruit EN ROUTE TO CURACY of time spent in beautiful surroundings with great colleagues and amazing and inspiring students. ith assignments finished It has been a privilege to serve as a Wand leave-taking done, pastoral tutor and to teach practical those to be ordained gather and pastoral theology. We have wor- for a few days apart to pray shipped and prayed, lived and learned and prepare before they are together. We have laughed and cried welcomed as new in together. the cathedral.

“We have worshipped It is always a privilege to accept an invitation to lead such a retreat and and prayed, lived and to walk with women and men during learned . . . laughed a very particular time of transition, where hopes and dreams are mixed and cried together” with a sense of the enormity of the task to which they have each been called. I have been both encouraged and This year I will be accompanying ordi- challenged in so many ways and am now nands from Chichester Diocese, includ- excited to see how the journey unfolds ing two Ridley students, Rebecca Tuck for all those Ridleians I’ve come to know, and Ben Sleep. as we go out, having grown more in wis- Please pray for all our students leav- dom, to proclaim Jesus Christ. ing to begin curacy this summer!

REVD CAROLINE THROUP REVD DR CATHERINE WRIGHT Pastoral Tutor Director of Ministerial Formation

5 EMBER LIST 2018

ur annual ‘Ember list’ draws BACON: LUKE & BECCI; on a tradition of Ember Days, MARY & CHARIS O Formerly: Church Staff Member which were formerly set aside Curacy: Christ Church Beckenham by the Church for fasting and (Rochester) prayer, and considered especially Ridley has been an incredible gift to appropriate for ordinations. us as a family: a place of learning, of friendship and of preparation for all that lies ahead. We are leaving With this pullout centrefold we invite you Ridley with a huge sense of excitement for what God is calling us on to and with a deep sense of joy for all to pray for this year’s leavers, and their fami- that we have received. lies, as they prepare for their future ministry, whether it be in the world of work or in par- BAKER: KATE & LEO; ish or lay ministry. MATTHEW & CHARLOTTE Formerly: University Employability and Careers Team Manager Curacy: Houghton, Wyton and Ordinands Hartford (Ely) Training at Ridley Hall has been both a huge privilege and a massive challenge. I am looking forward to my curacy and the opportunity to put all the theoretical knowledge AJAYI: TIMMY & BUKKY; gained to good use, serving God in my parish. PETRA & EZRA Formerly: Business Consultant BANTON: GARETH & Curacy: St Michael & All Angels, APRIL; SAMUEL & JONATHAN Blackheath, London (Southwark) Formerly: University Chaplain My time at Ridley Hall has taught me Curacy: Hope Hub Team, Newton-le- about the joy that comes from communally embracing Willows (Liverpool) the incarnational nature of God’s kingdom. My hope We’ve loved being part of the Ridley is that we may, through the power of the Spirit, find Hall community, praying, learning and eating together. and create platforms to confidently share the joy It has been a family to us and our boys these last three and abundance of life received from Christ (while at years, and we’re so grateful. Now, it’s back to the North Ridley) with others in our hurting world. West for us, to discover, and joyfully join in, with what God and his people are doing there. ARNOLD: PAUL & ELIZABETH; EVELYN, BESWICK PALLISTER: BEATRICE & TOBIAS JOHN & LAURA; MATILDA Formerly: Senior Civil Servant Formerly: Training Secretary, IFES Curacy: All Saints’, Preston-on-Tees Portugal with St Mary’s, Long Newton (Durham) Curacy: Betley and Madeley (Lichfield) We have really enjoyed sharing life, laughter and cake I’m very grateful for two years of here! Learning more about God, practising grace, and learning and growth, as we experienced amazing watching our children grow at Ridley. We are really blessings and some big challenges too. I am really excited as we move to Durham and all that God has looking forward to this next stage, to learn about in store for us and the parish there! Please keep us, parish life and to be further trained in ministry. I am and them, in your prayers. particularly excited to discover what God is doing in rural churches! ATKINS: ANDY & TIFFANY; BEKAH, JACOB, BIGGS: DAVID & EMMA EMILY, ALICE & ELSIE Formerly: Computer Games Formerly: CEO Agape UK Programming Student Curacy: St George’s, Chesterton (Ely) Curacy: Benefice of Thirsk (York) Training residentially at Ridley Hall has I have loved my three years at Ridley been a rich experience. It’s been a privilege to be a part making lifelong friendships, being of a worshipping community and I have made some stretched theologically and having lifelong friends for the journey. Ridley’s gracious and firm foundations set for future ministry. We are both godly staff have inspired me to proclaim the unchanging excited for all that Thirsk will bring and are looking Christ with greater wisdom in a changing world. forward to joining the team in proclaiming Jesus. 5 6 BROUGHTON: MATT & talk and pray with others. I’ll miss the table football RACHEL; CLARA & SYLVIE and the coffee, but I’m looking forward to spending Formerly: Church Worker the next three years sharing the good news we have Curacy: St Paul’s Ireland Wood, Leeds in Jesus with the community in Woodford. My family and I have loved our three years in Cambridge and as part of JOYCE: JO the Ridley community. I am grateful for all the teaching Formerly: Acting Parks and Leisure and input I have received but also for the chance Manager, Maidstone Borough Council conversation and pearls of wisdom shared over coffee Curacy: St Paul’s, Stockingford, or the croquet pitch. I feel God has used this time to Nuneaton (Coventry) form and prepare me for ordained life and I am excited I have really enjoyed being part to serve my curacy in Leeds. of the community at Ridley. Living residentially in college has been a huge blessing and enabled me to FARNHAM: RACHAEL make lots of good friends as well as being challenging & SAM at times! I am looking forward to ministering in a new Formerly: Special Needs Teaching context and would value prayers for settling in quickly Assistant particularly as I am moving to a new area. Curacy: Christ Church, Bayston Hill (Lichfield) LAKE: ROBERT Ridley has been full of inspiring Formerly: Financial controller and people and friends that will last a lifetime (poor freelance financial consultant them!). I’m leaving Cambridge feeling blessed by my Curacy: tbc time here and with a readiness to leave. Sam and I Training at Ridley has been an are looking forward to seeing who and what God will exciting and challenging adventure place into our lives as we move to Bayston Hill. where I have enjoyed learning alongside people from different traditions within the Anglican Communion. FORSYTH: MIKE & I am grateful for my time here and for the community RACHEL; EVIE at my attachment church, Magdalene College Chapel. Formerly: Royal Air Force Logistics Officer MORING: JAMES & JOY Curacy: Christ Church Chilwell (FIANCÉE) (Nottingham) Formerly: Religious Studies student Training at Ridley has been a real gift from God as we (University of Kent) prepare for future ministry; we have grown in love and Curacy: tbc expectancy on God during our time here. Our prayer is I’ve immensely valued being part of that we would live out Christlike hospitality within our a community who deeply cares for new community as messengers of God’s grace. those within it. I’ll miss the laughter, the atmosphere of prayer and, most of all, the croquet. HOLLAND: LISA & NIGEL; MATT, AMY & ELLIE OLIVER: AMANDA & Formerly: Spiritual Director, Prayer DARREN; MEGAN & HELENA Spaces in Schools Formerly: Voluntary Worker and Curacy: St Luke’s and St Francis, Music Teacher Duston, Northampton (Peterborough) Curacy: Yardley Hastings, Denton & Even now, in my final term, I occasionally pinch myself Grendon with Castle Ashby & Whiston as I come through the archway. Living in Cambridge and It has been a privilege to train at Ridley. Whilst I shall studying here during the week and returning home for remember the challenges of the teaching and study weekends has been challenging but a huge privilege with great joy, it is the people that have shared this and a joy. I shall miss this place and the community here time with us that shall always be in our hearts and very much, but look forward to the adventures ahead. prayers. We are ready to discover God’s next chapter for us. Thank you, Ridley. JEE: THOMAS & SARAH Formerly: History Teacher OSBORNE: MARK & Curacy: All Saints Woodford Wells CHRISTIAN; FELIX, TALULLA (Chelmsford) & ISAAC We’ve made great friends here, and Formerly: Housing Project Manager I’ve loved having so much time to Curacy: The Church of the Good dig into the Bible, to travel, and to Shepherd, Arbury (Ely) 7 Ridley has been fertile ground for me: time set aside given space, which has given me time and space which has been both challenging and rewarding; I that non-residential training wouldn’t have allowed. have wrestled, reflected, learnt and grown, and all I am looking forward to going forward into curacy in the company of a loving community. I am looking with all the new friends that these two years have forward to the challenges and rewards of proclaiming given me. the Gospel, and learning to love and serve the community of Arbury, Cambridge. SHINHMAR: JOSHUA & JELENA PAVLOU: PAUL & MARIA, CHRISTIANA & HAYLEY; EVANGELINE & GABRIEL ZACHARY Formerly: Chaplain, British Formerly: Special Educational Needs Transport Police Coordinator Curacy: St George’s, Chesterton (Ely) Curacy: St Mary, Bletchley, Milton Community life in Ridley has been wonderful. I have Keynes (Oxford) met many amazing men and women of God, both I have enjoyed having the time over the last three ordinands and staff, and my life has been enriched years to spend with my family. We are really excited by them. I shall particularly miss my staircase (H), my to start curacy. pastoral group and Morning Prayer in chapel with the whole community. Looking ahead, I look forward to PERKINS: MICHAEL & taking some more risks for the Gospel! EMMA Formerly: Alpha Coordinator SLEEP: BEN & LUCY; EVIE; Curacy: St Michael le Belfrey (York) HERBIE; MONTY & DIGGORY I have loved my time at Ridley Formerly: Actor & Writer (especially time spent around the Curacy: St John’s, Meads table football!) It has been a challenge at times, but (Chichester) I feel I have grown immensely in both vocation and Ridley has been a fantastic knowledge. We are incredibly excited to move back experience that has afforded me great friendships to York and see all that God has in store for us there. and opportunities. It has been wonderful to experience the great breadth of the church and to PHILLIPS: MATT & explore the deep theology that guides us. As a family, CAROLINE we are really excited about moving to our new parish Formerly: Children’s Pastor and beginning our ministry together. Curacy: Ely Team (Ely) It has been a huge privilege to study SMITH: CHRISTOPHER & at Ridley and I am grateful for the EMMA; CHARLOTTE & ADAM opportunity to learn from brilliant tutors and fellow Formerly: Technology Consultant ordinands. We go into curacy with thankful hearts, Curacy: St Luke’s Highwoods, knowing that the Lord is good and strong, and more Colchester (Chelmsford) determined than ever before to live our lives for Him! These two years in the beautiful city of Cambridge have been both challenging and PRICE: PHIL & ESTHER; transformative; providing a real opportunity to rely MILLIE & LENA on God in new ways and be shaped by his Word and Formerly: Marketing Executive his Spirit ready for curacy. We are looking forward to Curacy: St Peter’s Earley (Oxford) joining in with what God is doing in Colchester. My time at Ridley has been a spent learning all sorts of things that I SMITH: JESSICA didn’t realise I needed to learn. Looking back now, Formerly: French & Spanish Teacher I can see that they were exactly what I needed to Curacy: St Francis of Assisi, Strood learn, so either the College knows what it’s doing or (Rochester) God is at work here (or both). It has been a huge privilege to be part of the caring, praying PURNELL: LAURA & community that is Ridley. I have MARTIN loved my time on E staircase, making friends, Formerly: Administrator worshipping together and, of course, learning Greek! Curacy: St Faith’s Gaywood, King’s I’m looking forward to being back in the Medway Lynn (Norwich) towns and seeing God at work in a very different Ridley has been an amazing God- setting in Strood. 7 8 TAYLOR: GORDON & WARD: ALISTAIR & SARAH ERICA; WILLIAM, SARAH, Formerly: Management Trainee MATTHEW Curacy: Christ Church Tunbridge Formerly: National Account Wells (Rochester) Manager Tarmac Building Products Ridley has been a wonderful time Curacy: St Peter in Eastgate (Lincoln) of discovery — new theology, new It has been a great privilege to be at Ridley. I have styles of worship, new church contexts and new valued the time to study, to meet great people, people. It’s been fantastic, but we can’t wait to get make good friends, to pray, worship, laugh and be stuck into the local church full time. We’ll be taking challenged together. To learn more of God’s goodness renewed passion (and hopefully much wisdom) with and grow in his grace. Now to tell others about him. . . us as we go. WARMINGTON: TUCK: REBECCA & THOMAS & ALLULA; SIMON; ABIGAIL & NOAH LUCAS & REUBEN Formerly: Primary School Teacher Formerly: Communications Director Curacy: St Mary’s Horsham Curacy: Epping District Team (Chichester) Ministry (Chelmsford) The Ridley experience has Our time in Cambridge has been an transformed my whole family, extraordinary adventure for which I am extremely helping Simon to find faith, and grateful. I have been challenged, excited and inspired preparing us to go and share God’s love in our own to be obedient to God and to live expectantly that His unique way. I’ve learned here that God does not call transforming love will be at work in and around me. I any of us in isolation. look forward to all that God has for us in the future.

Lay Ministry Students

FREYA BLACK the freedom to pursue things that are important to Having predominantly worked at a faith- me such as setting up LGBT Youth groups and working based community charity throughout my with those marginalised by society. Looking to the placement I look forward to continuing future I am hoping to work in South East Asia with work in the community with those on the young people for at least eight months and when I edge of society. get back. . .who knows? SUSIE BOXHALL JODY GRAYSTON Having spent 2.5 years at Romsey I’ve spent my time working in an Mill within the children’s centre and Inclusive Church Parish in London and the remainder at my home church in plan to continue my studies with a Watford, I am exploring options and master in Gender & Sexuality studies to callings into a creative ministry, with all of the children keep promoting inclusion within church. of God, not just the little ones! More specifically art and textiles and using that to empower people. LAURA NEALE Throughout this course, I have learnt MEGAN BROADLEY to be more reflective and reflexive and Continuing as Associate Director the Red these skills have enabled me to grow Balloon Family Foundation. I have spent emotionally, mentally and physically. I the last three years wanting to write hope to be able to use this and continue learning as I WHY on the ceiling. For now I am driven move into the next stage of my life. by my faith in God and my dream to help young people discover and become who they were BEN WILSON desgined to be. I’ll figure out the rest later. When I began the course I was in desperate need of maturing and STEVEN CONROY growth in faith. Now I feel confident I’ve been working at Chelmsford and able to go forwards into my new Cathedral for the last two and a half role as a youth worker and to train years. Through this I have been given further in church ministry. 9 Twenty-nine years. . . “The priceless privilege of preaching regularly es, I will be retiring in in Ridley chapel” YAugust 2018, twenty- nine years after joining much, though it has certainly grown the Ridley staff in 1989. more challenging in an age of postmod- ernism and political correctness. That was the year of the Hillsborough I didn’t intend to stay so long, Disaster, the Massacre of Tiananmen and was looking to move on around Square and the Collapse of the Berlin 2006–8, but then God suggested oth- Wall. It seems like another age. I have erwise. Faith in Business got a new served under no less than five principals, lease of life, with invitations to speak in including two former students in Andrew places like Vancouver, Hong Kong and Norman and Michael Volland. Through- mainland China, and attendance at our out I have been lead teacher on the Fed- conferences increased considerably. eration Ethics course, Director of Faith in Special highlights? A wonderful Business (originally called God on Mon- “exchange” sabbatical in 2000, when day) and, since 2000, Director of Studies. our whole family spent a term in Mel- Having helped Michael Botting write bourne, Australia; winning the 2007 the college history Fanning the Flame, croquet tournament with Paul Weston; I believe I am the longest ever serving writing the book on Christian entre- member of Ridley staff! I have seen the preneurs with an African student, Kina college improve its buildings (the instal- Robertshaw; and the priceless privilege lation of doors at the foot of staircases, of preaching regularly in Ridley chapel the refurbishment of the chapel, new – a place that is very dear to me. rooms at the top of E and F) and the Federation update its courses. Teach- REVD DR RICHARD HIGGINSON ing Ethics hasn’t actually changed that Tutor in Ethics and Director of Faith in Business

9 10 from the piano with community singing Easter Mission 2018 of Vera Lynn classics, and tunes from the musicals, interspersed with team- PUPPETEERING MINISTRY IN THE SUPERMARKET led testimonies. Holy Week offered DURING HOLY WEEK, PAUL WESTON more formal opportunities as well, LED A TEAM OF SEVEN STUDENTS each planned and led by the team, ON A MISSION BASED AT ST AU- from reflections at a Good Friday “Hour GUSTINE’S CHURCH IN IPSWICH. at the Cross” to a vibrant and joyful Easter celebration service on Easter The vicar at St Augustine’s is Trevor Sunday morning. Golding, who left Ridley in 2009 and And on Holy Saturday, we spent has maintained an energetic com- most of the day at the local Sainsbury’s mitment to mission and community superstore mixing with shoppers and involvement. He and his wife Lois are supporting the talented St Augustine’s doing a great job at St Augustine’s as puppet team who had been invited in by they seek to lead the church in a vari- the branch manager to perform songs

HOLY SATURDAY: MISSION AT THE CHECKOUT ety of local projects and opportunities. It was deeply encouraging for the team with an Easter message. In the central to catch a vision for this work during entrance foyer, normally stacked high our short stay. And to be involved too! with last minute Easter Eggs the pup- We took part in lots of different pets sang out ‘Re–sur–rec–tion Time, activities and events during the week, Come On!’ Kids loved it, and parents each challenging us to discern creative too, perhaps glimpsing something that and appropriate ways to communicate they hadn’t expected. something of the Easter message. A number of people made signif- There were two “Easter Experience” icant steps of faith as a result of the sessions at a local primary school, with week and we were reminded as a team the team helping children to engage with that though each new setting requires some of the key events of passion week, prayerful inspiration, nothing quite and two brilliantly organised “Happy Hip- matches the profound joy of sharing pos” toddler groups, with opportunities something of the good news of Jesus. to mix with parents and children. Then there was an extraordinary REVD DR PAUL WESTON afternoon tea for 70 older people led Tutor in Mission and Homiletics

11 CHANGES IN THE FEDERATION the same time offering value for money. As a result of our collaborative efforts, RIDLEY HALL IS A FOUNDER MEMBER the CTF has developed a new finan- OF THE CAMBRIDGE THEOLOGICAL cial business plan, a more streamlined FEDERATION (CTF) AND HAS MADE AN approach to working with our three ENORMOUS CONTRIBUTION TO THE partner universities and a simpler and FEDERATION’S LIFE AND TEACHING more effective governance structure. OVER ALMOST FIVE DECADES. The new arrangements will come into effect in time for the 2018–19 academic In recent years, the combination of a year. We are grateful to God for guid- reduction in numbers of Cambridge-based ing us through one of the most difficult students in some Houses, along with an years in the CTF’s history. enormous increase in the administrative Among the Houses there is new level of appreciation and trust, which bodes very “Among the Houses there is a new well for the future of the Church. Two new level of appreciation and trust, members will join the Federation from 1st which bodes very well for the September: The Faraday Institute of Sci- future of the Church” ence and Religion and Westfield House (Evangelical Lutheran Church of England). burden of compliance placed on provid- These are fantastic signs of hope, which ers of higher education has led to a period we trust will encourage your ongoing of intense heart-searching and reflection prayers for the CTF. in the CTF. Member Houses have been working hard to imagine a sustainable future for the CTF; one that will serve the differing needs of the partner institutions while at

rule of justice, righteousness, peace Archbishop John and love; being part of God’s move- Sentamu to give ment of change, being willing to take 2018 C.F.D. Moule risks and be vulnerable, being the serv- Memorial Lecture ant of others as Christ was servant of all, and praying constantly”.

This year’s annual Moule Lecture will be given on Wednesday 6th June by the GROWING IN WISDOM TO PROCLAIM JESUS CHRIST Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu on the subject, “Growing in Wisdom to Proclaim Jesus Christ”. Living out of these priorities has Archbishop Sentamu is a Ridley equipped him supremely well to share alumnus and we are delighted to be with us on the subject of “Growing in welcoming him back to his old College. Wisdom to Proclaim Jesus Christ”, and Among the Archbishop’s stated pri- we look forward with anticipation to orities for ministry are, “seeking God’s receiving what he will bring.

11 12 “I suggest our notions of success begin with God’s action in the world”

— and from these points he draws us What is success into relationship with him. in pioneering? A broad notion of the doctrine of atonement can help us to understand this. When we listen to stories of what God has been doing in people’s lives, we ndrew Dunlop will join the see his atoning action at work. Surely A Ridley staff team as Tutor in Context-based Training in September. We asked him to tell us about his book, due out this month.

Between 2010 and 2015 I was pioneer minister on a new-build housing estate on the edge of Northampton. During that time we built a large network of relation- ships through our community activities, and I saw God at work in many ways. However, had someone told me that, by the end of my stay, the result- ing church would have only thirty-five regular attendees (including children) at the worship gathering, I would have been disappointed. This led me to question notions of success. In Out of Nothing: A Cross-shaped Approach to Fresh Expressions, I pro- pose that traditional models of “suc- Out of Nothing will be published on 30th June cess” are flawed. We are often con- and can be pre-ordered from SCM Press (www. cerned with questions of numbers, scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk) with a £4 discount sustainability (leadership and finance), by using the code OUT2018 on checkout. or ecclesiality (is it proper church?). I suggest our notions of success the goal of any pioneering venture in begin with God’s action in the world. the church is to see God at work? I sug- God is at work in the community and gest that this is the place from which in the lives of individuals, continually we define notions of success. drawing them to Himself. He meets us at our points of questioning, crisis, REVD ANDREW DUNLOP Tutor in Context-based Training (from Sept 2018) or need — our places of nothingness

13 Getting the Word Out On the Road

Recent and forthcoming publications A snapshot of some of the past year’s from Ridley staff, students and alumni speaking engagements by Ridley staff

SPIRITUALITY IAN ADAMS was a keynote speaker at the Fresh Expressions Conference. Some Small Heaven by Ian Adams He also performed poems at the Church Times London: Canterbury Press, 2017 Festival of Faith and Literature in February and at the Church Times Festival of Poetry in May. Breathing Deep by Ian Adams London: Canterbury Press, 2018 ROBIN BARDEN has spoken at a number of events in the Diocese of Ely on “Demystifying FAITH AND WORK the teenager” and “Young people and the lure of social media: Challenging the addictive A Voice to be Heard: Christian behaviours of a digital culture”. Entrepreneurs Living our their Faith SUE BUTLER spoke on “Building new by Richard Higginson and Kina communities with Jesus at the centre” at the Robertshaw CPL Pioneer School in January. London: IVP, 2017 RICHARD HIGGINSON spoke about his book “Making a Difference: Christian A Voice to be Heard: Christian Entrepreneurs Living out their Faith in numerous places Impact on the Business World” by including China, Geneva, London, Manchester, Richard Higginson Hoddesdon, Hereford, Birmingham and Oxford. Faith in Business Quarterly 18:4 (2018) PHILIP JENSON gave a paper to the Society HISTORY for Old Testament Study on “Is there a Holiness Code, and does it matter?” He also contributed Preaching and Popular Christianity: a paper to a seminar series at St Andrew’s, on “A Reading the Sermons of John Cosmic Temple? A critical review of the parallels Chrysostom by James Cook between Genesis 1–3 and the Tabernacle”. Oxford: OUP, 2019 ROB MCDONALD gave an evening lecture at Leadership College London on the topic of A Christian Peace Experiment: The “Pneumatology and Leadership”, and delivered Bruderhof Community in Britain, a lecture series to the Community of St Anselm 1933–1942 by Ian Randall at Lambeth Palace on “The Holy Spirit”. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2018 CHRIS PEMBERTON spoke in Switzerland for a week of prayer for Christian unity. He also lectured at Westminster Theological Centre on spiritual formation and gave a series of lectures A Church Observed: Being Anglican at the Leadership Academy, Cambridge. as Times Change by Andrew Norman MIKE THOMPSON spoken on “Introducing Malton: Gilead Books Publishing, 2018 the Gospel of John” at St Mary’s, Burwell in July, gave a mini-series of talks on “Making DOCTRINE sense of Romans” at St John’s Waterbearch in “Barth Backwards: Reading the October and led a day on “Demystifying Paul” for St Bene’t’s, Cambridge in November. Church Dogmatics ‘from the end’” by Rob McDonald PAUL WESTON preached at City Church, San Francisco and delivered a lecture on “The Scottish Journal of Theology Vol. 71 (2018) Cross as Creative Maladjustment” at a Pastors’ Conference there. He also lectured on “Proper BIBLICAL STUDIES Confidence in a Shifting Culture” for the Owned by God: Paul’s Pastoral Peterborough Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship. Strategy in 1 Corinthians by CATHERINE WRIGHT led an ordination Michael B. Thompson retreat for those to be made and Grove Books Ltd, 2017 priest in the Diocese of St David’s. 13 14 mons, vision days, testimonies, books, Mega-churches Bible studies, etc., what congregation members said actually motivated them and social to get involved was an experience of the love of God. It seems that when engagement people have their lives changed by God, it is this experience that empow- arah Dunlop recently ers them to offer their time and energy S worked on an AHRC-funded to helping others in their community. project called “Megachurches Although this finding is not easily and Social Engagement in transferable into wider notions of civic London”. Here she outlines participation, the results of the pro- what it involved and some of ject have offered insight into how local the insights that emerged. governments can relate to faith-based social engagement. Additionally, the The aim was to investigate findings shed light on the public the- the nature of social action activ- ologies of these large churches. For ities among five of the eleven example, very little was done about churches in London with 2000+ wider issues of social justice. Instead, people attending worship in a the transformation of society was seen week. A team of researchers to happen through personal encoun- conducted three-month case ters with others and with God. Tell- studies of All Souls Langham ingly, social engagement was not about Place, HTB, New Wine (the church, not church growth, but instead was seen the network), Jesus House and Kings- as freely sharing the love of God with way International Christian Centre. no expectation of a positive response The study uncovered a huge number to the gospel. Nevertheless, this grow- and variety of activities that churches ing commitment to social engagement are co-ordinating within London, could be the spark that renews the including homeless shelters, Christmas church’s influence within wider society. hamper packing, feeding on the streets, homework clubs, GCSE exam prepara- DR SARAH DUNLOP tion, addictions support groups, eating Tutor in Practical Theology (from Sept 2018) disorder ministries, debt counselling and many more. Some have grown out of the vision of church leadership, but most have started from congregation members recognising a need and gath- ering people around them to do some- thing about it. The study has produced insight into the theological motivations of church members. Although church leaders listed a large number of methods for encouraging social action, such as ser-

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