The Learning Collective is designed for church members who think more deeply about living as a Christian in the modern world so that it helps them in the way they serve God in and beyond the church. They are practically orientated courses, delivered from a mission perspective.

The Learning Collective is an in-person and online course (using Zoom) that requires monthly attendance for two hours.
This course will combine independent learning with monthly gatherings. The monthly gatherings will allow space for discussion and debate between the course participants and facilitators.

Overview
This course will offer the opportunity for students to engage in a wide range of topics relevant to leaders today such as reflective practice, spirituality, the bible, Baptist history, mission, pastoral leadership, and more.

Course Dates

All sessions will be from 7pm – 9pm. You are invited to arrive at the venue at 6.30pm for light refreshments.

Module 1 – 9th September 2025 : Reflective Practice Part 3 (or 1)
Module 1 – 7th October 2025 : Reflective Practice Part 4 (or 2)
Module 2 – 11th November 2025 : Spirituality and Formation Part 1
Module 2 – 13th January 2026 : Spirituality and Formation Part 2
Module 3 – 10th February 2026 : The Bible Part 1
Module 3 – 10th March 2026 : The Bible Part 2
Module 4 – 14th April 2026 : Doctrine Part 1
Module 4 – 12th May 2026 : Doctrine Part 2
Module 5 – 9th June 2026 : Mission Part 1
(Module 10) 22nd June 2026 : Retreat Day at Baptist House, Didcot (TBC)
Module 5 – 14th July 2026 : Mission Part 2
Summer Break
Module 6 – 8th September 2026 : Baptist History and Principles Part 1
Module 6 – 13th October 2026 : Baptist History and Principles Part 2
Module 7 – 10th November 2026 : Pastoral Leadership Part 1
Module 7 – ?? January 2027 : Pastoral Leadership Part 2
Module 8 – ?? February 2027 : Practical Theology Part 1
Module 8 – ?? March 2027 : Practical Theology Part 2
Module 9 – ?? April 2027 : Reflective Practice Part 1
Module 9 – ?? May 2027 : Reflective Practice Part 2
Module 10 – ?? June 2027 : Celebrate and graduate at Baptist House, Didcot

Teaching
The course will require participants each month to undertake a set of tasks ranging
from listening to a podcast, journalling, reading, reflecting, or even going for a
contemplative walk. You will be expected to attend all the sessions as this will
contribute to a rich learning environment where we learn from each other and build
relationships across our churches and Associations.

Veune
There will be various host venues for the monthly meetings. Those confirmed so far are:

Marston Moretaine – Central Baptist Association
Loughton Baptist Church Milton Keynes – Central Baptist Association
Kidlington Baptist Church – Southern Counties Baptist Association
United Church Ferndown – Southern Counties Baptist Association
Woodford Baptist Church – London Baptist Association

There will be a dedicated person online who will facilitate the zoom conversations.

Certification
The Learning Collective contributes to the academic and spiritual component of becoming a Recognised Local Minister. If you are thinking about recognition in this way, you are encouraged to talk to your church leadership and one of the Regional Ministers to find out what is involved.
All students who complete all modules will be invited to celebrate and awarded a certificate at a garden party in the grounds of Regent’s Park College, Oxford in the summer.

Fees
The total cost for 20 months is £500.00
To access one module the cost is £50.00
There is a concession (50%) for under 30s and grants may be available for all ages from your Associations. To access these funds talk to your Regional Minister.
For those who are joining The Learning Collective as part of their formation for Recognised Local Minister status, there will be an additional cost of £25.00 per module (making the ‘RLM rate’ for the full course £750).

Tutor
Rev Jane Day

Jane is working closely with a team of dedicated people who are committed to equipping local leaders.

Course Aims
The course will give students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of faith
and develop skills in ministry and mission. It will equip local leaders to offer their gifts
to the world.

Learning Outcomes
— To provide leaders an opportunity to discuss mission and ministry in today’s context with other leaders from across Baptists Together.
— To enable leaders to reflect on their churches and communities and engage in reflection and reflexivity practices.
— To enable leaders to grow in their understanding of mission, pastoral leadership, bible, doctrine, Baptist history, reflective practice, and spirituality.
— To give leaders an opportunity to deepen their faith and spirituality.

Assessment Methods for Recognised Local Minister
Participants put together a portfolio of assessments that reflects the breadth of the curriculum. Some individual assessments may focus on one aspect of the curriculum, others may cover a number of aspects. However, a central hallmark of the portfolio as a whole will be its focus on reflective practice and reflexivity.

Participants produce a portfolio of, typically, 10 pieces of their own work. The modes of assessment may vary in order to pay attention to the different learning styles.

Examples in the overall portfolio include:
— a reflection on your spiritual journal
— an exploration of an issue in ministry in the light of the Declaration of Principle
— a reflection on ministry in the light of The Marks of Ministry

Overall in these pieces, participants should evidence:
— their ability to use methods of theological reflection carefully
— their ability to reflect on their own spirituality and its ongoing development
— their ability to interpret the Bible appropriately
— their ability to articulate themes in Christian theology and how they relate to contemporary experience.
— their ability to connect themes in Baptist history and principles and in wider Christian theology to their practice and context
— their ability to understand cultural contexts appropriately
— their ability to share in God’s mission appropriately and to reflect upon this
— their ability to engage in appropriate contextual practices in their ministry

In addition, participants include in their portfolio one further piece of work in which
others comment on an element of their practice, and the participant reflects briefly on
these comments. Those commenting should have experienced the candidate, for
example, leading a community event, engaging in pastoral visiting, preaching or
leading a service. They could be from the participant’s context, the association or the
college.

Application
For more information and to book a place visit TLC’s own website www.cbs-oxford.com/tlc.html or please email the administrator Alan Kerry