Theology, Mission and Practice

This module aims to develop students as critically reflective practitioners, drawing on theological resources and other scholarly disciplines to aid this critical reflection. As part of the module, you will undertake a Long Professional Placement (LPP) during the year which is the basis of their reflections. The module introduces you to formal models of theological reflection, using many case studies and formative assessments to develop your skills. Placement stories from module alumni and mentors are incorporated to help you in choosing and making the most of your LPPs. Academic skills relevant to the module will also be enriched.

This module explores how Christian moral reasoning engages with contemporary ethical issues. You will be introduced to the framing of ethical questions, the role of hermeneutics, and various sources of moral authority within Christian traditions. The course examines key ethical theories and decision-making processes, providing tools to evaluate complex societal challenges. Topics include human rights, governmental policy, and their often-competing ethical demands; human sexualities and marriage; medical and biotechnological advancements; and the Christian response to environmental crises. Emphasis is also placed on public theology and Christian social engagement, encouraging students to consider how faith informs action in public life. The module incorporates a focus on cultural understanding and transformation, fostering a critical and constructive Christian approach to ethical living in a pluralistic world.

This module explores the theological foundations and practical expressions of Christian mission through the lens of reconciliation. Rooted in a biblical-narrative theology, the module examines how mission emerges from the threefold vision of a humanity reconciled with God, a humanity reconciled with the Creation, and the peoples of the earth reconciled among themselves. You will engage critically with historical and contemporary issues, exploring the integration of evangelism, social justice, and ecological responsibility. You are equipped to reflect on their own missional contexts and to consider how the church can participate faithfully in God’s reconciling mission in a complex and changing world.

This module examines biblical, historical, and theological themes related to pneumatology, the study of the Holy Spirit. The course explores the person and mission of the Holy Spirit through listening to the witness of the Scriptures and the early church, and through critical engagement with contemporary theological conversations about the Spirit, including contextual understandings. It will engage theologians across a spectrum of historical and contemporary perspectives and ecclesial traditions. The module will pay particular attention to the soteriological, missiological, and ethical dimensions of the Holy Spirit and the practice of spiritual gifts. In keeping with the overall aims of the programme, an important aim of the course is to enable you to make a connection between pneumatology and their own professional practice.

This module offers a comprehensive engagement with the theology and practice of pastoral care, equipping you to be able to respond with theological insight and practical skill to the needs of individuals and communities in both everyday life and times of crisis. With an emphasis on intercultural awareness, you explore key aspects of pastoral identity, the development of pastoral imagination, and the formation of a reflective, theologically grounded approach to care. Topics include counselling, chaplaincy, listening skills, Christian marriage, conflict resolution, bereavement, and the role of death and dying. The course also considers how pastoral care is expressed through public worship and liturgy, and the use of Scripture and prayer. You are encouraged to integrate theological understanding with compassionate practice in diverse pastoral settings.

This module looks at how worship practices can sustain, form and renew the life of congregations, particularly during times of change. Focused on diverse contexts, the module equips you to respond creatively and theologically to contemporary challenges. The module will introduce you to theologies of worship, whilst developing critical and practical abilities in relation to worship as a bearer and communicator of theological meaning. You will examine the role of worship in shaping personal and communal identity, fostering intergenerational and intercultural connection, and supporting mission. Through case studies, theological reflection, and practical engagement, the module cultivates skills in adaptive leadership, contextual liturgy (formal or informal), and spiritual discernment. You are invited to imagine and embody ways of doing worship that are both rooted in tradition and responsive to the present moment. 

The module provides a significant opportunity for independent project-based learning for final-year Theology, Mission and Practice students at a greater freedom than is possible in a standard module. The project will focus on a significant practical, professional or creative challenge within theology that relates to Christian mission and / or practice. Your projects may lie within a specific aspect of your Christian practice, or bring together a broader range of knowledge, understanding and experience, including from other disciplines and professions. In dialogue with a designated supervisor, you will design and carry out a suitable project, developing the skills they will need for the progress and completion of the work. All projects require a formal proposal to be accepted before the work may commence, but you will be guided through this process through workshops and classes.

This module explores the dual roles of pastors and church leaders as educators and preachers. You will examine Christian education across traditions and contexts, focusing on learning and faith formation for all ages, while developing practical skills for facilitating religious education, including the use of social media content such as podcasts and video. The module engages with educational theories, adult learning styles, basic media production skills, and the biblical foundations of Christian education. It equips you for the theology and practice of preaching, emphasizing its significance in worship and mission, and building on prior biblical and reflective studies to foster confident, competent proclamation.