Autumn 2022 has seen the beginnings of the Emmanuel Institute; a two-year ministry and theology training course designed for church members looking to advance in their understanding and ‘fan into flame the gift of God that is in them’ (see 2 Tim 1:6)
We’ve had a great start, considering a variety of theological approaches and taking in an overview of the whole of Scripture. Our next module sees us digging into the history of Newfrontiers, and the wider Restorationist / British New Church movement from which our church springs.
As I was planning the curriculum for the course, I presented my vision to a focus group of seasoned teachers and trainers in our church. In short, I proposed a fusion of Tim Keller’s ‘How to Reach the West Again‘ with Terry Virgo’s ‘Restoration in the Church‘. I reasoned that we need to see people formed who were at once aware of our roots as a movement and of the post Christian missional challenge.
The big surprise for me was how keenly the gathered group felt a need for the restatement of our origins. (I had assumed that it would be the Keller material that I needed to argue for, but that was waved through without ceremony!) It is clear that there is an appetite to understand and engage with the core values which birthed the movement.
So with the next module in mind, I am blogging a series of chapter summaries from Restoration in the Church which will provide a snapshot of the concerns which animated the inception of Newfrontiers.
