The nature of Christian congregations has been changing over the last twenty years as the Christendom model of churches led by professional clergy doing all the “ministry” breaks down. The greatest church growth in the UK has often been among undenominational churches where the distinction between clergy and laity has been ever diminishing. This has resulted in a greater diversity of roles and more responsibilities within fresh expressions of church life being taken on by men and women with no theological training. This qualification has been designed to equip men and women who aspire to carry responsibility, at any level, within their church; it is Christian but undenominational in its composition and outlook. The structure of the course also opens up the possibility for progress on to a degree course in a related area.

There has been a growing interest in the concept and practice of “Missional Church” in both the UK and North America. Many theological books have come out in recent years (see illustrative bibliographies below). There is no Certificate in Missional Ecclesiology being offered by any institute of Higher Education in the UK. This course is therefore unique to the UK.

Further, the Restoration Movement in the UK from the 1980s has contributed to the aforementioned rise of growing new churches and has always had a very strong missional drive. This course has one module that looks at the history and theology of this movement as an aid to understanding the key concepts of missional church and using the churches that emerged from this movement as a means to critiquing its effectiveness in missional terms. There is no unit of study that has specifically looked at this. The course is in a unique position to offer primary sources to achieve this, which will develop students’ ability to conduct primary research and reach their own conclusions.

The course offered since September 2009 is called “The Certificate in Missional Ecclesiology”. Such a course title accurately reflects the ethos and aims of the College. It is fully validated by a government recognised awarding body, Ascentis at level 4, first year undergraduate level.