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Training
The committee will
encourage and enable the integration of the training of the whole people
of God and to this end will seek to influence the philosophy and
methodology of learning; the core content of courses; and the development
of resources. It gives direct support to, and acts in partnership with
Doctrine, Prayer and Worship, Ministries, Life and Witness; Church and
Society, and Youth and Children’s Work Committees and synods and
districts, as they respond to the needs of local churches in training
matters. It collaborates with Ministries Committee in the training of
ministers of word and sacraments, CRCWs and Lay Preachers. It also
supports all other committees and task groups, and in particular the
Ecumenical Committee. It also gives oversight to the YLTO and YCWT
programmes.
Committee Members
Convener: Revd John Proctor
Revd Ruth Ball, Mrs Helen Brown, Dr Graham Campling, Dr Andrew
Dawson, Revd Sandra Dears, Revd Jack Dyce, Revd Carole Ellefsen-Jones, Dr
Iain Frew, Revd Roy Lowes, Revd Dr John Parry
Secretaries: Revd Dr Lesley Husselbee (Secretary for Training) and
1
Introduction
1.1 The Training Committee
has had a demanding and active year. A number of matters have emerged to
claim our urgent attention. The task of supporting, managing and
sustaining a busy and varied set of training ventures throughout the
Church requires vigilance and energy. Yet we have tried to keep a clear
sense of strategy and priority, so that both the crisis management and the
maintenance work serve to develop a cohesive programme for the good of the
whole Church.
1.2 Our strategy, presented
at last year’s Assembly and developed since, includes the following
aims:
i) learning for all in the
Church, including a wide provision of opportunities for lay training;
ii) excellence in initial
education, and the expansion of continuing education, for certain defined
offices in the Church - elders, lay preachers, local leaders, CRCW’s,
ministers;
iii) integration of lay and
ministerial training, wherever appropriate;
iv) co-operation, both
between synod ventures and national provision, and ecumenically;
v) wide publicity of
training opportunities, in order to prompt a broad response and interest
throughout the church.
1.3 Against that background
we have addressed the following issues.
2 Racial
Justice and Theological Education
2.1 The Committee spent
time during one meeting to consider, with Revd Marjorie Lewis-Cooper, how
issues of race and culture are handled during theological training. A
number of our training institutions wrote to tell us what they do, and
while we noted much that was good, we acknowledge that this issue must
receive continual attention. Responses from the Training Committee will
include:
i) Attention in the
inspection and validation cycle to the Church’s ninth criterion for
recognition of colleges and courses: ‘take seriously issues of race,
class, gender and disability, and actively promote anti-oppressive
practices’ (Record, 1995, p 50).
ii) Inclusion of racial
justice issues in Continuing Ministerial Education.
iii) Consideration of
suitable lay training material. One synod is developing a training module
on racial justice issues for use with churches in predominantly white
areas and we hope that this will be suitable for use in other synods too.
iv) Annual consideration of
gains and needs in this area, as a major agenda item in committee.
3 Initial
Ministerial Education
3.1 Validations and
Inspections
3.1.1
i) A system of validation
and inspection has been developed by the Church of England and made
available to other churches. Validation requires a theological training
institution to submit a lengthy written account of what it aims to do and
how it goes about this. This document is scrutinised by representatives of
the churches, in order to confirm that the work is being undertaken to the
churches’ expectations.
ii) A year or two after the
validation, an inspection is carried out by the churches, to review the
work ‘in the flesh’, against the background of stated aims and policy
in the validation document. This inspection leads to recommendations, to
which the institution is expected to respond. Senior inspectors remain in
touch for a year or two, until the churches are satisfied with the
response. Then the work continues until it is time for the process to
begin again; the whole cycle takes about six years.
iii) The Training Committee
acts on behalf of the Assembly in contributing to this process and
reviewing its results. All the institutions we use involve some ecumenical
partnership, so we work with the training panels of other churches in
these matters. The aim throughout is the sustenance of high standards in
training, the encouragement of good practice, and the critical support of
staff and students.
3.1.2 Plans have been made for the formal Re-Validation of the Partnership for Theological Education Manchester, and this exercise will take place in the coming academic year, leading on to an ecumenical inspection in a year or two’s time.
3.1.3 We contribute to the
inspection and validation process for the various regional ecumenical
ministry courses which the United Reformed Church recognises - for example
in this year the Validation of the South East Institute for Theological
Education (SEITE) and the Inspection of the Southern Theological Education
and Training Scheme (STETS). These exercises have evoked admiration and
approval of the educational work done on the churches’ behalf.
3.2 Ecumenical
Inspection of the Cambridge Theological Federation, 1999
3.2.1 An inspection was
carried out between April and November, 1998 of the Cambridge Theological
Federation (of which Westminster College is a member) by an ecumenical
team representing the various churches which the Federation serves. They
reported in Spring 1999. (See Appendix 8 for detail)
3.3 Mansfield College,
Oxford
3.3.1 Last year’s
Assembly expressed a desire that the United Reformed Church continue to
use the four colleges (at Birmingham, Cambridge, Manchester and Oxford)
that it had long used for initial ministerial training. In the light of
this decision the Committee has negotiated with officers of Mansfield
College for the continuation of its programme of ministerial training,
which had previously appeared to be under some threat.
3.3.2 During the autumn of
1999, Revd Dr Catherine Middleton had to give up her work as Acting
Director of Ministerial Training at Mansfield, due to serious illness, and
she subsequently took early retirement for that same reason. The Committee
records its appreciation and gratitude to Catherine for her work at
Mansfield, in particular for her energetic and effective leadership in the
year 1998-99, when Mansfield’s response to an inspection report
indicated that it had much to offer the churches in the years to come.
3.3.3 In the academic year
1999-2000 Revd Dale Rominger has served as Acting Director of Ministerial
Training, working on a short-term appointment, while the college and the
churches made plans for the future. His abilities as a director of
studies, and as a mentor and pastor to students have sustained important
work through a difficult year, and the Committee acknowledges his
contribution with warm thanks.
3.3.4 At the time of
writing Mansfield is about to advertise for a Director of Ordination
Training and Chaplain, to serve for seven years from the autumn of 2000.
This is a college appointment, to be made by the Principal and Fellows,
but the churches will have an important role in the interview and
nomination process. Subject to a suitable appointment being made,
ministerial training for United Reformed Church candidates will thus
continue at Mansfield, for a guaranteed period.
3.3.5 From autumn 2000, the
teaching will be closely integrated with the teaching at Regents Park
College, a neighbouring Baptist foundation. The Mansfield Director will
contribute academically to this programme, within the Regents Park staff
team. The Director will also provide specialist input for Mansfield
students, and will advise and guide them in their preparation for Reformed
ministry. This arrangement will allow some flexibility with regard to
numbers. There will also be clear benefits for all parties in the enhanced
ecumenical dimension of the programme, yet it is intended that the
particular church commitments of the Mansfield theological tradition will
remain evident.
3.3.6 Mansfield has asked
that some financial guarantee be given by the United Reformed Church, and
an appropriate arrangement has been endorsed by Mission Council, along
with a sliding scale of academic fees. If we can send a reasonable number
of students the training will be properly economical. The Committee has
included Mansfield on the list of recognised colleges throughout the
1999-2000 cycle of Assessment Conferences. For we are keen that (as with
all our centres) a viable number of suitable students may train there.
3.3.7 We have been very
glad of the involvement and help of the Congregational Federation Training
Board in these dealings with Mansfield, and we have welcomed this
opportunity to collaborate with them.
3.4 800 Hour Placement
3.4.1 Assembly resolved in
1997 that all ordinands should complete at least 800 hours’ practical
placement work in the course of their training. Many ordinands,
particularly those working on Full-time courses undertake at least this
volume of placement work within the regular programme of their training
institution. Some, especially those working on part-time courses, do not,
and for them the 1997 resolution requires further work before ordination,
for which Synods are responsible.
3.4.2 The Committee has
produced guidelines to help Synods fulfil this role. These have been
circulated to Synod Training Officers and to those training institutions
most directly involved. Very little adverse comment has been received, and
indeed this has concerned the resolution as such, not the specifics of how
it might be operated. We therefore report to Assembly that guidelines are
in operation, and that we intend to monitor their early use with special
care.
4 Local
Leadership Training
4.1 At last year’s
Assembly the Training Committee was asked what resources it could make
available to support the varied initiatives in local church leadership
being taken in different parts of the country. We offer a threefold
response.
i) We commend a training
course for local leaders developed by Mersey Synod. The Tutor Pack for
this course has been acquired by training officers in most of the other
Synods, and further copies can be obtained from Mersey. Mersey have
stressed to us that this course can only be well used in places where
there has first been careful thought about the kind of local leadership
the churches need. It should not precede, and cannot substitute for, that
kind of thinking. ii) The Training for
Learning and Serving (TLS) course can contribute very usefully indeed
to the training of local leaders. While changes are coming in TLS (see
further below), we shall keep in mind the potential of any revision or
successor course to serve the needs of local leaders.
iii) We have written to the
Moderators’ Meeting to enquire about the nature, extent and likely
development of this section of the Church’s leadership. We have asked if
there is anything the Training Committee, acting for the national Church,
ought to arrange, in order to enable, extend or improve the initial and
in-service training of local leaders. As responses come from the
Moderators, we shall seek to plan a policy, and to work accordingly. We
are not rushing our work on this matter; it does not seem to be that kind
of need. But nor do we wish to neglect an increasingly important area of
the Church’s life.
5 Training for Elders
5.1 Mission Council asked
us some time ago to consider this issue. We have found that practices and
resources vary widely from place to place. In particular, a course has
been developed in Wessex Synod, and the booklet Refreshing the Elders
Meeting by Peter McIntosh and Graham Robson is on sale throughout the
Church. We believe that there is need for: (i) preparation material for
those becoming Elders; (ii) special days on special topics for experienced
Elders - and where Elders take on special responsibilities. A small group
has therefore been set up, to prepare some training material that can be
made nationally available. We shall report further at Assembly in 2001,
and hope to launch material not later than Assembly 2002. We have been
reminded that a large number of elders serve in Local Ecumenical
Partnerships and we should like our material to be versatile enough to
include their need.
6 Church
Related Community Work Training
6.1 The arrangements for
training Church-Related Community Workers, which caused some concern in
1998-99 during a vacancy in the Church’s CRCW Development Worker post,
are now working well. Northern College and the Partnership for Theological
Education Manchester are to be congratulated for the work that they have
done to sustain this programme.
7
Continuing Ministerial Education
7.1 Introduction. The
aim of CME is to create an ethos in the United Reformed Church of life
long learning so that ministers can adapt their ministry to make it
relevant in todays society, understand new theological thinking, be
stimulated to preach the good news of Gods love and also to enable them to
encourage, inspire and teach the members of their churches. It is a
programme for ministers but the benefit should be felt throughout the
church.
7.2 This has been a busy
and interesting year for the CME sub-committee as we have tried to
implement the 1998 General Assembly proposal that all ministers would be
encouraged to take up to two weeks Continuing Ministerial Education (CME)
training each year. The benefit of CME is in the area of spiritual,
personal, mental and professional growth. The aim of the CME
sub-committee, with the Synod CME training officers, was that all
ministers take at least one week CME in the year ending Sept 1999 and that
by Sept 2000 they would take two weeks CME.
7.3 The CME programme
consists of:
7.3.1 Post Ordination
Education Training Weekends. In the first three years after ordination
the POET programme is on offer to ministers. This year three national POET
weekends have been run on Time Management; Minister as Educator and
Conflict Management. Within these weekends there is the opportunity for
theological reflection, personal and spiritual development, learning new
skills and knowledge. POET is also run at Synod level. CME Training
officers run three weekends a year so that ministers can choose from them.
7.3.2 On-Going Education
Training (ONET). Three National ONET courses have been arranged for
this year. The topics covered are; Reflecting on Ministry, The
implications of the United Reformed Church joining the Scottish
Congregational Church, and Understanding and Implementing the Equal
Opportunities policy adopted by General Assembly 1994.
Other ONET courses have
been run at Synod level, and ministers have applied for various courses
that they have selected themselves and which they feel will enable them to
have greater skill in their ministry.
7.3.3 Refresher Courses
are held for ministers in their fourth, seventh, fourteenth years (and
seven year period thereafter). Recently the CME sub-committee reviewed the
ethos and structure of the Refresher courses and it was decided that a
planning group would co-ordinate the courses in the future so that there
would be consistency in the courses run.
7.3.4 Sabbaticals. Ministers are still being encouraged to take their Sabbaticals after ten years of service in the United Reformed Church. It is hoped that after the Sabbatical has been completed ministers will write a report illustrating their major learning and explaining how their Sabbatical has benefited them. These reports are read by the Secretary of CME and a copy is kept on file at Westminster College. The report may be available for wider distribution and publication.
7.3.5 New Ministers
Conference. This is run to give new ministers the opportunity of
learning more about the United Reformed Church, in particular its
conciliar nature and how the National committees interact with each other.
7.4 New Financial
Proposals for CME. This year the CME sub-committee alongside the
Training Finance sub-committee have put in place the new proposals.
Ministers applying for CME grants will make their request through their
Synod CME training officer. At the end of the year the Synods are
reimbursed by the national Finance Office.
7.5 CME Opportunities
Journal. To enable ministers to keep abreast of the CME opportunities
a journal has been published three times a year. The aim of the journal is
to raise the profile of CME by giving information about courses that are
available, publish articles that show the benefits of CME, and help
communication throughout the church on CME matters.
7.6 Guidelines for
Interim moderators have been amended such that they will include CME
when they talk with both ministers and churches in vacancies.
7.7 Record Keeping.
This year ministers are being asked to keep a record of their training so
that they have a record of their own learning and in order that the
Secretary for CME knows which courses can be commended to other ministers.
7.8 CME and Growing Up.
In relation to the Growing Up report CME has a vital role in
generating, sustaining faith, hope and love in obedience to God (as
mission is defined in part of the report) and in the CME programme this
can be done through re-igniting the fire of passion, curiosity and
intrigue in the gospel which in turn can enable all people to grow in
their love of Christ and witness to God in new and wondrous ways, as they
move forward in faith.
7.9 Future proposals for
Continuing Ministerial Education
i) to continue to raise the
profile of CME;
ii) to develop
communication and con-sultation with ministers regarding their CME needs;
iii) to create a more
efficient Web Site;
iv) to review induction
training courses for ministers who move to a new ministerial position;
v) To continue to develop
the POET programme. This will involve increasing the number of POETs to
six a year. Also a rolling programme will be put in place. It will involve
ten topics;
Managing Time
Minister as Educator
Conflict management
Minister as team player
Mission in context
Worship and preaching
Ministry and identity
Major pastoral issues
Minister as theologian
Minister as manager
(The word minister is used
throughout to include stipendiary Ministers, non-stipendiary Ministers and
Church Related Community Workers).
8 Lay
Training
8.1 Training for Learning and Serving:
The Present
8.1.1 The Training for
Learning and Serving programme has continued its growth and is making
substantial contribution to trained lay leadership in our churches. There
are now 132 students on the Foundation Course, 22 students in the Worship
and Preaching course and 8 people in the Pastoral Care Course. In the
1998/99 year, Completion Certificates were issued to 22 Foundation
students and 27 on interest courses, including 16 for folk who have now
been nationally accredited as lay preachers. 8.1.2 To sustain the growth
of the programme and assure its security, a half-time Course Co-ordinator
has been appointed with particular responsibility for TLS interest courses
and administrative assistance is being provided. Development work
continues with a new one-year course (Gods Jesters - the Performing Arts
in Christian Outreach and Worship) being readied for launch in September.
8.2 Training for Learning & Serving:
The Future
8.2.1 Training for
Learning and Serving (TLS) has been a significant success story since
its adoption by the United Reformed Church in England and Wales in 1995.
It has served as our main training track for new lay preachers, and has
been much more widely useful as an accessible, substantial, structured and
integrated lay training programme. TLS was first developed, and is still
owned, by the Scottish Churches Open College, (SCOC), based at St Colm’s
in Edinburgh. Although most of the teaching in England and Wales has been
carried out by members of the United Reformed Church, we have been
dependent throughout on SCOC, for licence to use the materials, and for
marking of student work to the standards of Napier University in
Edinburgh.
8.2.2 During the autumn of
1999, SCOC indicated to us that it must shortly revise its commitments
south of the border. Pressures and opportunities in Scotland, its stated
and natural constituency, have obliged SCOC to plan for withdrawal from
involvement with us. In December 1999 the SCOC Council formally decided to
discontinue delivery of the TLS Foundation Course in England and Wales
from the autumn of 2001. This decision implies the discontinuance also of
SCOC’s TLS Specialist Courses.
8.2.3 The Training
Committee has responded quickly to this news. We have entered into
correspondence with SCOC, to explore the precise timing of withdrawal, and
to enquire whether any overlap period should be allowed, to assist
students who will be mid-course in summer 2001. But the main lines of the
decision are set, and we shall need to make fresh plans.
8.2.4 We have therefore
conducted an independent review of TLS, and have taken careful soundings
among its students as to the strengths of the course. The following
checklist has been compiled, of positive features of TLS which should be
continued if at all possible in any successor course, and of cautions to
observe in any new plans:
Positive Features
i) It should continue to cater for interest, vocational and access students in an integrated way.
ii) It should be structured
so that theology, Bible study and practical experience are integrated
throughout the courses. The use of a thematic rather than systematic style
would be more conducive to this.
iii) It should allow for an
ecumenical approach, which can include people of other denominations.
iv) It should be accessible
and relevant to students with the widest possible diversity of cultural
and ethnic backgrounds.
v) It should have open
access, allowing for students with varied amounts of time to give to their
study.
vi) It should utilise the
sharing of learning and discovery in the small group setting and encourage
the development of the ability to express faith and learning.
vii) It should include a
flexible network for student support.
viii) It must have a common
element of residential weekends at a sufficient frequency to avoid
relationships having to be re-built each time. The current pattern of 4
weekends a year also allows for frequent course feedback. This is to be
encouraged.
ix) It should operate
within the framework of an on-going review and development across the
whole programme.
x) Accreditation at
Certificate Level 1 should be an option for students. Ideally this would
be achieved through the combination of a 2-year foundation course followed
by a further year. The current three-year pathway seems to suit student
needs.
xi) It would be helpful if
the successor course could utilise the current bank of tutors.
8.2.5 Following the review
we have commis-sioned a planning group to bring recommendations to the
Committee, about what might be done. We expect to plan for partnership
with an educational institution, in roughly the way that we have already
worked through SCOC and Napier.
8.2.6 We are determined to
ensure that there will be a proper national training programme available
for lay preacher candidates in the autumn of each year, without any gap.
However we are also keen to make an opportunity out of this necessity, and
if possible to expand our lay training still further, in ways that will be
versatile, attractive, practical and effective. Major drafting of
something new would certainly take more than 18 months. So we may need to
make both short-term and long-term plans, and these might have to be quite
different. We are certainly interested in ecumenical possibilities in the
long-term, but prepared to go our own way if that seems best in the
immediate future.
8.2.7 Several possibilities
are before us. By the time Assembly meets we expect to have made some
worthwhile progress in examining these. We therefore hope to bring forward
some definite proposals, at least for the short-term, at General Assembly
or to be taken to Mission Council in the autumn for decision.
8.2.8 On a number of
occasions under this item we have referred to England and Wales. Our
Scottish Synod is in a different position. It remains eligible for
involvement in the continuing work of SCOC, and thus in any successor
course to TLS that SCOC develops in Scotland. Thus the Synod may not wish
or need to be included in the fresh arrangements further south.
8.3 Training for Learning & Serving:
Personnel
8.3.1 While this is not the
year for an extended retrospect, no lengthy reference to the work of TLS
would be complete without mentioning the energetic leadership given by
Revd David A L Jenkins, and the competent and committed involvement of
many administrators, tutors and local support group members throughout the
Church. In particular this year we welcome the appointment of Heather
Skidmore to a half-time appointment as Administrator and the Revd Hilary
Collinson to a half-time appointment as Specialist Course Co-Ordinator.
8.4 The Open Learning
Centre
8.4.1 The Committee was
sorry to hear in January that the Methodist Open Learning Centre might
cease operating in its current form from August 2001. While this has been
known as a predominantly Methodist enterprise, it has also been used and
valued by lay preachers, ministers and lay people of the United Reformed
Church for home study and in-service training. The Methodist Church is
evolving an increasingly regional emphasis for its training strategy, and
we intend to take time to understand this development. For there may be
new opportunities for co-operation and mutual gain.
8.5 In-Service Training
for Lay Preachers
8.5.1 The Lay Preaching
Committee has asked us about in-service training for Lay Preachers. We
know of a number of events, including an in-service weekend at Westminster
College Cambridge (Sept 1-3) and the Joint Lay Preachers Conference at
Luther King House, Manchester (Oct 20-22). The Windermere Centre and the
College of Preachers also run courses. We understand that the Lay
Preaching Committee hopes soon to print a booklet detailing such courses.
There is also need, however, for serious home study material such as that
offered by the Open Learning Centre. We intend to keep this in mind as we
review our lay training provision and plan the successor to TLS.
9 Church
Research Grant
9.1 The Church sets aside a
limited sum of money each year, to support a small number of our ministers
(the term here includes CRCW’s) in academic research. The Training
Finance Sub-Committee recommended during the year, and the Training
Committee agreed, that the level of the United Reformed Church Research
Grant should from now on match the Basic Stipend, in order to free one
minister or CRCW to be devoted to advanced study for a stated period. The
Grant will be held from this autumn by Revd Rachel Poolman, who will be
researching Free Church worship at Birmingham University.
9.2 From time to time
candidates for our ministry are recommended to undertake doctoral study
during their training period. The Committee has appointed a panel to
review proposals for such study, in order that there may be central
consideration of research work undertaken at the Church’s expense. We
aim to promote a reasonable parity of expectation among our various
training centres, and between ordinands and serving ministers, about the
sort of research proposal that the Church is happy to sponsor.
10 The Youth and Children’s Work Training Team
10.1 The Training Committee
exercises Assembly’s responsibility for the Church’s Youth and
Children’s Work Training Team. These twelve officers are managed within
their Synods, but are Assembly employees and available to use some of
their time for national activity.
10.1.1 Personnel. During
the year we have extended the period of service of John Brown as Youth and
Children’s Work Training and Development Officer in Mersey Synod for one
year from 1st September, 2000 until 31st August, 2001; of Leo Roberts as
Youth and Children’s Work Training Officer in North-Western Synod for a
period of five years from 1st September, 2000 to 31st August, 2005; and of
Henry Playle as Youth Leadership Training Officer in Eastern Synod for a
period of five years from 1st October, 2000 to 30th September, 2005. In
each case this decision has followed the recommendation of the Synod
review group, and the Committee has heard with pleasure of the quality of
work done in these Synods.
10.1.2 Staff Development
Policy. The Team requested that their Staff Development Policy be
reviewed, as a number of features in the document needed to be brought up
to date. A new edition was therefore prepared, and was adopted by the
Committee in February 2000. This written policy was submitted for
accreditation by the National Youth Agency, and a meeting arranged for
March 2000, at which detailed feedback could be given to the Committee by
the Agency.
10.1.3 Operation of the
Team. We have been aware of an increasing trend, now that these
officers are synodically managed, for their work to dovetail with that of
Synod Training Officers. Clearly there is much to be gained from
co-operation, and from the common vision that this fosters. However there
has been some pressure for the shifting of boundaries of responsibility,
and this might need to lead in due time to a redrafting of job
descriptions. Since these job descriptions arise from Assembly policy, we
shall seek to keep Assembly informed of any important factors that might
make us wish to change them.
11
Membership of the Committee
11.1 At this Assembly Revd
Sandra Dears and Dr Iain Frew retire from the Training Committee. We thank
them for their consistent hard work in the cause of the Committee, for the
experience they have brought, and for their insight and wisdom in many
complex pieces of business.
11.2 Two former members of
the Committee have continued to help us in particular pieces of work after
completing their committee service. Revd Elizabeth Nash has chaired the
Training Fund Sub-Committee for a couple of years after leaving the main
committee, and Revd Chris Warner has similarly convened the Continuing
Ministerial Education Sub-Committee for a year beyond his period of
committee membership. Both step down this summer, and we thank them cordially for work done with competence, energy and
commitment.
Resolution 39 St Michael’s College, Llandaff
General Assembly adds the
non-residential course at St Michael’s College, Llandaff, to its list of
recognised colleges and courses for initial ministerial training.
1 During the year an
approach was made by the Synod of Wales, to enquire whether the
non-residential course at St Michael’s might be recognised for the
training of non-stipendiary ordinands. St Michael’s is a Church In Wales
foundation, in Cardiff. Members of the Committee have visited St
Michael’s and have studied the course documentation, and we have since
written to indicate that we should favour recognition, should the course
meet the Assembly’s criteria for this. This will require further
attention by St Michael’s to a couple of matters, chiefly in regard to
ecumenical breadth. We have been encouraged to expect a positive response
- in which case we shall put the above resolution to Assembly.
Resolution 40
Westminster College, Cambridge: Lewis and
Gibson Scholarship
General Assembly adopts,
with immediate effect, the revised regulations for the Lewis and Gibson
Scholarship, as drafted in the book of Reports.
1 The Committee has
considered a request from the Governors of Westminster College that the
rules for a long-standing scholarship fund be revised. By prior resolution
of the English Presbyterian Assembly, this requires Assembly consent. The
fund arises from a will that became operative in 1926, and the regulations
by which the Church orders its implementation of the will were approved at
that time. Circumstances have changed since then, in the Church, in
academic life, and in economic matters too, and it is high time to
re-order our use of the money - still according the wishes of the donors,
but appropriately to current conditions.
1.2 At the moment the fund
realises some £7000 pa. When a United Reformed Church ordinand is elected
as a scholar, then the scholarship award to that person is offset against
any award given from the Ministerial Training Fund. Thus the generosity of
past Church members saves the present-day Church some money.
1.3 The principal revisions
put forward in this draft, compared with the version of 70 years ago are
these:
i) In Regulation 1, the
expression any primary or higher degree replaces the previous
wording, honour degree in arts. This change reflects developments
in Cambridge University, and particularly allows us to support United
Reformed Church candidates on the new Bachelor in Theology for Ministry
degree.
ii) The old Regulations
named £80 p.a. as a suitable level of scholarship, and we now need to
award much higher amounts.
iii) The old Regulations
also provided for Lewis and Gibson Undergraduate Scholarships, which were
intended to support potential ordinands in their study for a first degree
in a non-theological subject, before they moved on to Westminster to read
theology. No such award has been made for some decades, and we see little
reason in perpetuating regulations for a practice that has ceased. Should
the need ever arise again, the Church would be able to amend its
regulations accordingly.
iv) The old Regulations
included rules on financial administration and on worldwide advertisement.
The administration is presently in the hands of the Churchs finance
office, and - since the changes are designed to allow more regular award
of the scholarship within our own Church - we think that worldwide
advertisement should be at the discretion of the Electors.
1.4 The Church’s legal
and financial officers have given their approval. The enclosed revision is
now put before General Assembly for resolution:
1.5 Lewis and Gibson
Scholarships, Westminster College Draft Revised Regulations, July 2000
1.5.1 Mrs Margaret Dunlop
Gibson (died 1920) and Mrs Agnes Smith Lewis (died 1926) bequeathed funds
to establish Lewis and Gibson Scholarships at Westminster College,
Cambridge. The purposes for which these funds may be used are outlined in
the Will of Mrs Lewis and Mrs Gibson and in a Scheme annexed to the Will.
The following Regulations govern the use of the funds for due purposes.
i) The Scholarships may be
used to support candidates for the ministry, from the United Reformed
Church, and from any other church (not established by the state) in the
United Kingdom or overseas which is a member church of the World Alliance
of Reformed Churches and which holds Presbyterian order. Scholars may
pursue a course of study in Theology for any primary or higher degree of
the University of Cambridge, or - in the case of a Cambridge graduate -
for a diploma of the University of Cambridge.
ii) In addition to the
Senatus of Westminster College, who are appointed Electors by the Will,
the Assembly has power to add to the number of Electors. The following
shall be additional Electors: the Convener of the College Board of
Governors, and the Convener and Secretary of the College Board of Studies.
iii) Before electing any
person to a scholarship, the Electors shall require:
a) Evidence of good
standing as a ministerial candidate.
b) A declaration of intent
to enter the ministry.
c) Evidence of ability,
attainment and character.
d) Any other material the
Electors may consider necessary.
iv) A scholar’s syllabus
and progress shall be monitored by the College Senatus, and reported to
the Electors, who may report to the candidate’s sending church as they
see fit.
v) A scholar shall be
expected to be a resident member of Cambridge University, and to take a
due part in the religious and social life of Westminster College.
vi) The tenure of these
scholarships depends upon good conduct and diligent study on the part of
the scholar, and of these the Electors are the judges by the terms of the
Will.
vii) A Lewis and Gibson
Scholarship is by the terms of the Will tenable with any Exhibition,
Scholarship, Fellowship or Studentship in the University of Cambridge any
of its Colleges.
viii) The Electors shall
report annually on their work, through the Board of Studies to the College
Governors.
vx) Expenses incurred by
the Governors in the administration of the Scholarship funds shall be
chargeable to the general Scholarship fund.
x) No alteration shall be
made in these regulations relating to any aspect of the Lewis and Gibson
Scholarship Funds, except by the General Assembly, on the report of the
appropriate Assembly committee.
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