To register your interest for any of the Learning and Development opportunities or courses listed below, please email James McClure at bmldoffice@irishmethodist.org who will keep your details on file.
Learning and Development Opportunities:
These online seminars explore a range of topics with guest contributors that are helpful to ministry in your local context. Previous sessions have included ‘All Age Worship for This Time’ and ‘All About Prayer’- leading prayer in public worship.
The next Learning and Development opportunity will take place online on Tuesday 16th March at 7:30pm. To register for this event please follow this link and submit the form.
Open Learning Courses in Theology and Reflective Practice
The Courses in Theology and Reflective Practice are open to anyone interested in enhancing their theological learning. The course leaders are all experienced theological educators. The course tutors have already undertaken theological study and are engaged in ministry practice in local contexts throughout Ireland. All of those involved in delivering the courses have been approved to do so by Queen’s University. The courses are designed to be integrative in nature, allowing for the development of learning and understanding, alongside the honing of practical skills and continuing spiritual formation. Each course is a standalone unit and can be undertaken by itself or in conjunction with other courses.
September 2021
- An introduction to Leadership and Ministry
- An introduction to Pastoral Skills
- An introduction to Christian Spirituality
- An introduction to Christian Theology
January 2022
- An introduction to Worship and Preaching (1)
Spring 2022
- An introduction to Teamwork and Self-Understanding
Paying attention to God (PATG) offers prayer, reflection and conversation in a group setting to help you to notice yourself, your life and God in it with greater awareness and sensitivity. Rooted in Ignatian spirituality and well researched psychology, your experiences on PATG will encourage you to live a discerning life, to listen better and make decisions with greater freedom and joy.
Face to face contact is so essential to the PATG experience, that we are delaying the course until Sept 2021, when we can meet in person and safely.
Threshold Training in Spiritual Direction is a 2-year programme which builds on the experience and learning of PATG. Its focus is on helping you to help others to grow in their unique relationship with God and to live a discerning life. It nurtures skilled and sensitive listening which gives space for others to hear themselves and God and to grow as God wants them to.
Threshold training is deferred until Sept 2022 to allow for the completion of the 2021/22 PATG. You must successfully complete PATG to apply for Threshold training.
Walk in the Word:
As Paul prayed in his epistle to the church in Ephesus we need “the spirit of wisdom and revelation.” The Bible is not just an ordinary document; it is the word of God to us. This course is designed to delve into Scripture, so it can be explored. We believe Scripture to be what it claims to be, a revelation, a written representation of God’s decisive action in creation and redemption of His world.
Introduction to Healthcare Pastoral Visitation
This course is for those who are interested in doing, or are already doing, visiting in a healthcare context, either within your local church setting or within a chaplaincy setting. It will give the participant opportunities to reflect on pastoral attitudes and practices and give guidance during times of uncertainty in different pastoral situations within the healthcare.
Prayer Ministry:
This course provides training and practice in prayer ministry. This introductory course is open to all who wish to learn more of this ministry and will equip participants to provide prayer ministry in a church, event, or community context.
Pastoral Care:
This introductory course is designed to equip and enable participants in the mission and ministry of Pastoral Care. This course is open to all who wish to understand more about the heart and development of pastoral care. The day will provide opportunity to develop some essential skills required to create effective caring relationships within ministry.