The apprenticeship of discipleship

Peter Hutchinson, Marketing Manager at Regents Theological College, explores how theological learning and practical experience can work hand in hand.

There has been a lot of talk recently about the newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his focus on apprenticeships.

I come from a community where 55% of my son’s final secondary school year went into apprenticeships, so I see their value and the stepping stone they provide for a working future.

They often offer a wage, and, for older people, are a way to change career or ‘upskill’ their abilities.

But I disagree with the premise that they are a replacement to a university degree.

Students who study at Regents Theological College are very much in the same position as an apprentice – not only do they need theoretical skills and theological clarity, but practical ones as well to fulfil the roles they will take up after Regents.

A key part of that practical experience, particularly on our youth ministry and church leadership programmes, are placements.

Very much like an apprenticeship, a placement is where they can apply what they are learning with the help of people who are already leaders in that environment.

This is not to deny or dumb down the theological. We actively work to develop students who are mature spiritually, biblically and practically.

We do not want students to leave simply on an academic high that is solely head knowledge.

Perhaps, in Christian terms, an apprenticeship is exactly the same as discipleship; teaching that embodies high educational standards with an associated application of those standards for the benefit of the church and the wider community.

The theological enhancing the practical, and the practical having it roots embedded in scripture.