Open Learning Day at St Albans

16 September 2010

Friends of our Open Learning programme gathered in St Albans on Saturday 11 September for a day learning more about Christian discipleship.

The group of about 18 people, including tutors, students and some interested in finding out more about the programme, came together at St Stephen's Church on Watling Street.

Revd Dr Ron Jackson, Trinity Tutor and Chaplain, led two studies reflecting on the relationship between discipleship and evangelism, explaining the significance of discipleship for the church today and giving practical suggestions on how churches might go about developing discipleship programmes. Ron brought many examples from his experience of discipleship training around the world including India, Africa and America. In between Ron's studies, David Ball, Head of Open Learning, led a short session on discipleship in the Gospels, highlighting the fact that sometimes the disciples misunderstood the ministry of Jesus and suggesting that there is a danger of this today.

David Ball says: 'It was encouraging to meet with friends who have been supporters of our distance learning programme since its inception when Revd Dr Mike Butterworth was on the staff at Oak Hill College, including Revd Mary Abbott, who had been a tutor in the early days and who also helped to write our course on the Synoptic Gospels. Mary is now retired, but still serves as a Chaplain to Morrisons supermarket. Most of the participants had been active in the programme when it was part of Interactive Christian Extension Studies (ICES) and are now very happy that the programme has become part of Trinity College.'

There will be 10 Open Learning groups running this autumn. If you are interested in joining a group, or in starting a group in your church or area, contact David Ball.