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Church, Culture and Society (2023)

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Home Short Courses Ministry Theology, Imagination & Culture Leadership Learning Church, Culture and Society (2023)

Church, Culture and Society (2023) course

This course considers the life and work of the church in today’s culture.

We will be discussing cutting-edge issues that people in the church, and in society more broadly, care about passionately: climate change, race, gender, the legacy of colonialism.

We will think about how key issues in today’s world might bring together people from within the church and in our wider society.

We will explore the idea that the church is a diverse expression of human culture, and will consider how doctrines are shaped by different cultural contexts.

This is an opportunity to think about how ministry, worship and mission might best respond to the cultural landscape we see in 21st century Britain, as well as considering other cultural contexts, both historical and geographical.

Ideas we’ll explore include:

What power can theology have against a toxic culture? We will look at this in the context of theology in Nazi Germany.

Is there a theological reason to combat climate change?

Contributors include:

Anupama Ranawana: Thematic Research Specialist for Christian Aid. Current research areas include: faith actors, localisation, decolonising development, race and racialisation in the international development sector, civic spaces and the impact of Covid 19. She also provides advisory support across the organisation on research design and ethics particularly with regards to diversifying knowledge production, ‘shifting’ power in research and applied research methods.

Anthony Reddie: Director for the Centre of Religion and Culture at Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford, and a Visiting Scholar at Sarum College. His latest book is Introducing James H Cone

Chris Whyte: PhD student at the University of St Andrews School of Divinity. His research focuses on the intersection of pneumatology, ecclesial ethics, and race, including modern concerns after Bonhoeffer and Azusa Street.

This is a postgraduate course open to ‘auditors’ e.g. those not enrolled for academic credit.

What does it mean to audit a course? 

Joining this course is an opportunity to have a study break in the beautiful Salisbury Cathedral Close, where residential participants enjoy full board, access to the library and to the pattern of liturgy at Salisbury Cathedral.

Whether it’s cultural events, sightseeing (Stonehenge is nearby for example) or shopping — there’s plenty to do if you’d like to extend your stay the weekend before and after the course. For ideas, visit Salisbury Cathedral Close attraction websites to see what’s on Sarum’s doorstep. Visit the Wiltshire Creative website to view events at nearby Salisbury Playhouse and the Salisbury Arts Centre. The Experience Salisbury website has an excellent city-wide listing of forthcoming events around the city.

Need financial assistance? View our list of grantmaking trusts

Enrolled students also may attend teaching weeks for modules in addition to the modules which they are studying for credit, by permission of the Programme Leader. Student rates for hospitality costs during a teaching week currently are: £250 (en-suite), £200 (standard) and £60 (non-residential), along with an educational fee of £125 per booking. The audit fee and hospitality prices are reviewed annually with any changes effective from 1 July.

 

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Details

Dates & Times

24 - 27 Apr 2023
Expired!
Day 1 - Starts at 2pm, Day 2 & 3 - Full days, Day 4 - finishes by 2:30pm

Location

Sarum College

Category

Ministry
Theology, Imagination & Culture
Leadership Learning

Tutor(s)

Guest Tutors
Professor Anthony G. Reddie

Course code

2743

Other Notes

This is a postgraduate course open to those not enrolled for academic credit. It will be held onsite at Sarum College.

All ticket options include lunch and refreshments on each day of the course.

Residential tickets include an evening meal along with B&B.

What our students say

Riveting!

Book of Revelation course

Someone on the course said it was ‘riveting!’ This was exactly what I felt. The course was a total joy because of the tutor’s handouts, excellence and Sarum College hospitality.
Mark Oakley

Faith is an imaginative adventure

The Very Revd Dr Mark Oakley

I admire the work and tone of Sarum College very deeply. It is a community that takes theology and spirituality seriously, not as hobbies but as pursuits into understanding, and engaging in, a complex world.

Sarum College reminds us that faith is an imaginative adventure and that it is shaped by a questioning joy.

Vibrant approach to theology

Fr Azariah France-Williams

I’ve been particularly struck by the refreshing approach to theological education here. In a world, and indeed within parts of the church, where faith can sometimes feel stagnant or out of touch, Sarum offers a vibrant and relevant alternative. The courses encourage a bold exploration of profound ideas, connecting with truths that lie beneath the surface and fostering genuine personal growth, which feels particularly significant as I approach my 50th year. This counter-cultural spirit, which embraces depth and challenges ageism and fear, is truly remarkable. Sarum is a place where individuals can be transformed by engaging with a living and breathing faith.

 

 

Well worth taking the time

Disability Theology: Theory and Practice

I took time to attend the course out of a busy working week and it was well worth taking that time. I have so many things to ponder and reflect on from this course and a helpful further reading list to keep me going for a few months! Thank you Sarum College

 

Netflix, Theology and Pastoral Practice

Peter Butchers on his MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture student experience

How do cultural tropes, like those found in Black Mirror, help bridge the gap between what academic theology espouses and what the everyday Christian believes? In his research as a student on the MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture, Peter Butchers explored platonic philosophy, digital theology and eschatology, and pastoral practice around death and dying.

Read more 

Rewarding Sabbatical Stay

The Revd Greg Syler, is Rector of Ascension & St. George’s, Resurrection Parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC USA, spent part of his ministry sabbatical at Sarum College in spring 2022.

His account of the experience begins: ‘I loved spending nearly three weeks of my ministry sabbatical at Sarum College earlier this year.

Not only did I rest, and rest well in the comfortable care of the Sarum College staff, I experienced very significant renewal and fresh insights.’

Read more

Tutor(s)

Guest Tutors

Professor Anthony G. Reddie

Visiting Scholar in Theology, Imagination and Culture

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