Short Courses Spring/Summer 2021

These courses have now completed. If you are interested in hearing when they will be offered again please contact trinitycollegeglasgow@gmail.com

ENGAGING THE BIBLE - OT WISDOM WRITINGS

This course offers an exploration of selected biblical texts and themes. Participants will be introduced to key exegetical issues in reading those texts in a church and world environment today. Our Spring course will introduce participants to the Wisdom Literature of the Hebrew Bible, including Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon and Wisdom of Solomon, to reflect forthcoming lectionary readings.

INTRODUCTION TO BIBLICAL HEBREW

This course will introduce those with very little or no previous knowledge of Hebrew to the forms and structures of the language of the Hebrew Bible, enabling you to read selected passages of scripture, and to explore the value of being able to do so. 

CREATIVE WRITING AS SPIRITUAL REFLECTION

This course develops creative writing as a means of reflection upon personal, spiritual and contemporary cultural experience. Course participants will analyse different approaches, learn skills, and produce their own creative writing in a supportive and participative environment.

CONTEMPORARY VISUAL ART AND CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

This course explores and develops the role of contemporary visual art in Christian worship. Taking practical, creative and theological approaches this course seeks to expand and cultivate imaginations, and stimulate churches and Christian worship in new ways, especially in these changing times.

Short Courses Autumn 2021

Three Short Course Learning Opportunities for Autumn 2021

TRS Short courses are stand-alone courses run for 8-9 weeks per course, and tutored by experienced practical theologians and church specialists. They are available for credit (Level 1) or audit for general interest.

To enrol for these courses as an external student to University of Glasgow use the links to further info below. Internal students on existing programmes within the University of Glasgow should contact their programme director in Theology and Religious Studies or Arts Advising.

REIMAGINING CHRISTIAN PRACTICE

Sept 27 – Nov 29, 2021
Monday evenings, 7-9pm BST Online

Th Church and Christian devotion are facing a time of change unprecedented since the Middle Ages and made more intense and uncertain by the Covid-19 pandemic. History suggests that such times of crisis provide the environment for innovation, creativity, and renewal. Join us as we approach these challenges together and explore the emerging expressions of Christian life and spiritual practices that are sustaining people at this time.

Apply by Sept 6th, 2021

DESIGNING & LEADING CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

Sept 30 – Dec 2, 2021
Thursday evenings, 7- 9pm & Sat Nov 20

Become more skilled at designing and leading meaningful, participatory acts of church worship. This course is accessible to those in a church who are beginning to lead acts of Christian worship and for local church leaders who wish to refresh their understanding and practice. A practical introduction to Christian worship utilising theologically rich patterns and practices and adapting these to participants' contemporary church context. Offered in blended modes online and in person.

Apply by Sept 6th, 2021

LISTENING IN MISSION

Oct 5 – Nov 30, 2021
Tuesday evenings, 7– 9pm Online

Church life within local communities has been disrupted and, in some cases, turned upside down by the pandemic. As churches reconvene in person, we are in a mission space both familiar and new. We have discovered both limitations of former patterns of ministry and new relationships with places and neighbours. So how do churches and mission teams take up the challenges left by this? The course introduces activities, spiritual practices and practical steps that can be deployed in a local church or pioneering mission setting, to listen to God and the local community, and renew approaches in Christ's way. 

 

Short courses - Spring 2022

ELDERS & LOCAL CHURCH LEADERS IN CHANGING CONTEXT

March 7th – May 23rd 2022 (incl. a break on 18th, 25th April and 2 May—no class)

Monday evenings, 7-9pm - (online)

This course explores the why and what of local leadership in the Church of Scotland and other Reformed churches, both historical and contemporary. It examines how changed circumstances and the mission calling of the church invites us to re-examine the calling and tasks of elders and local leaders in the congregation, and what this kind of practice looks like, especially in the midst of difficult church change.

CREATIVE WRITING AS SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

Feb 8th - April 5th, 2022

Tuesday Evenings, 7–9pm

This course develops creative writing as a means of reflection upon personal, spiritual and contemporary cultural experience. Course participants will analyse different approaches, learn skills, and produce their own creative writing in a supportive and participative environment.


CONTEMPORARY VISUAL ART AND CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

Feb 3rd - March 31st, 2022

Thursday Evenings, 7–9pm

This course explores and develops the role of contemporary visual art in Christian worship. Taking practical, creative and theological approaches, this course seeks to expand and cultivate imaginations, and stimulate churches and Christian worship in new ways, especially in these changing times.

Short courses - Autumn 2022

DESIGNING AND LEADING CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

Oct 3 to Nov 28, 2022

Monday evenings, 7 to 9pm & Sat 29th Oct

This course is for those in church who are beginning to lead acts of Christian worship and for local non-clergy leaders who wish to grow their understanding and practice. It forms a practical introduction to worship design, prayers, music, multi-sensory aspects, use of the Bible, and multigenerational patterns and practices, that is theologically informed and adapting these to participants' contemporary church context. It will be offered in person along with some online access.

Apply by Sept 8th, 2022

LISTENING IN MISSION

Sept 29 to Nov 24, 2022

Thursday evenings, 7 to 9pm

This course provides practical tools for churches and mission teams seeking to engage more actively in their community and discern the kind of future mission they may have there. It takes as a starting point that God is already ahead of us and so both prayerful and in-place listening is needed as we rediscover our neighbourhoods and communities and how they are changing. It involves participants in hands-on practice with these tools and a chance to reflect on what they are discovering. This then offers ways for these processes to be deployed in local churches.

Apply by Sept 8th, 2022

CONTEMPORARY VISUAL ART AND CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

Oct 6 to Dec 1st, 2022

Thursday Evenings, 7 to 9pm

This course explores and develops the role of contemporary visual art in Christian worship. Taking practical, creative and theological approaches, this course seeks to expand and cultivate imaginations, and stimulate churches and Christian worship in new ways, especially in these changing times.

Apply by Sept 8th, 2022

PREACHING IN CHURCH CONTEXTS with Doug Gay

21 Sept to Nov 30, 2022

Wednesday, 4 to 6pm

This stimulating course will help you to develop as a preacher through reflection on why and how we preach. It will explore preaching delivery, style, and method and offer opportunities for students to practice and receive feedback. It will be offered in person along with some online access.

Apply by August 31st, 2022

Comments from people who have taken one of Trinity College’s short courses include:

“It was a thoroughly practical course which was undergirded by both experience and relevant theory and theology.

“I found it both practically beneficial in not just my Church life but also in my own day job and intellectually stimulating throughout.

“An excellent course - thought provoking, full of insight, and well led.”

Short courses - Spring 2023

ELDERS & LOCAL LEADERS

Jan 23 to Mar 27, 2023

Monday, 7 to 9pm

This course explores the role of local leaders in the Church of Scotland and other Reformed churches. It examines how changed circumstances and the mission calling of the church reshapes the calling and tasks of elders and local leaders in the congregation, and what this looks like, especially in the midst of difficult church change.

MINISTRY & MISSION IN DIGITAL CULTURE

Jan 23 to Mar 27, 2023

Monday, 7 to 9pm

This course offers a way of engaging cultural challenges to faith and Christian practice since the rise of digital media and the recent rapid move into church presence online. Digital opportunities for mission and ministry will be explored along with skill development in crafting material for the online environment.

LITURGY & PRAYER IN CHRSITIAN WORSHIP

Jan 11 to Mar 22, 2023

Wednesday, 4 to 6pm

This course develops participant skills in planning, writing and producing worship materials including spoken liturgies and prayer, and leading these in the context of Christian Worship.

CREATIVE WRITING AS SPIRITUAL REFLECTION

Jan 26 to Mar 23, 2023

Thursday, 7 to 9pm

This course will enable and support the use of creative writing as a means of theological reflection upon personal, spiritual and contemporary experience. By the end of the course, participants will have produced a piece of creative writing and a critical reflection.

LEADING IN CHURCH CHANGE - A MASTERS LEVEL COURSE

April 26 to June 21, 2023

Wednesday mornings

This online course, conducted within a supportive cohort, will assist recognised pastoral leaders/clergy to evaluate their critical change challenges, engage with recent organisational change practice and equip with tools and perspectives for faithful and strategic responses.

Comments from people who have taken one of Trinity College’s short courses include:

“It was a thoroughly practical course which was undergirded by both experience and relevant theory and theology.

“I found it both practically beneficial in not just my Church life but also in my own day job and intellectually stimulating throughout.

“An excellent course - thought provoking, full of insight, and well led.”