... Off to Oxford

So in September I will begin training for baptist ministry and study for a MTh at Regent's Park College, Oxford. Today and yesterday I was being interviewed and testing my call to ministry. Almost nine months since I started the process towards baptist ministry it has been confirmed. So I will be laying down teaching and youthwork for more theological study and ministerial formation. I'm really excited, I love studying, I love doing and talking theology with others. We will stay in Stevenage and I'll commute to Oxford three days a week as a full time residential student (a quirk of Oxford is you can be a residential student as long as you live fifty miles as the crow flies of the city and Stevenage is forty-seven!!!). Thanks to everyone who has supported me and prayed for me through the process, the hard begins now (or in few months).

Regent's Park is one of the five Baptist colleges in the UK. Professor Paul Fiddes has just stepped down after 18 years as principal, but will remain in the college developing its research. Rob Ellis is the new principal. It is the home of the centre for baptist history and heritage and the centre for christianity and culture (my first visit to regent's was in 1995, when I attend a lecture by William Horwood on spirituality and the novel as part of the centre's series of lecture for that term).

Comments

[Sean Winter]

Hi Andy

I knew this was on its way - but am delighted to see the news confirmed. As one of the College Governors it is good to see that Regent's will be continuing its work in training future generations of Baptist theologians

[graham]

Congratulations, Andy!

It's just a shame it isn't Spurgeons! ;-)

[Catriona]

Congratulations and every blessing.

I'm sure you'll thrive on the atmosphere and make me feel thicker than ever - where do you get time to read all these books and have good insights from?

I'm not willing to enter into 'my college is better than your college' games but am sure Regents will be blessed and enhanced by your presence.

[Paul Fromont]

Congratulations and all the very best Andy. I'm hoping it will be a very fruitful time for you.

[maggi]

congratulations, Andy! hope you have a ball, and enjoy all those libraries...

[fernando]

Good news, all the very best. I pray that you will be able to to make the most of the opportunity.

[Jonathan]

Great news Andy, it's good to see God's leading so clearly.

Grace and peace
Jonathan

[andy goodliff]

Thank you to everyone for your kind comments ... I'm really looking forward to september and all those libraries!

[brodie]

Congratulations Andy, I sence this will be a place in which you flourish.

[Andy S]

Fantastic news, Andy! May God bless you in all the days that lie ahead. I can recommend doing post-grad studies alongside ministerial formation... a great way of being a 'reflective practitioner'!

[carole]

I'm trying to help my daughter with her GCSE Marks Gospel coursework for R.S. She has a good understanding of the texts but is struggling with writing about how the teachings might affect the lives of christians today.

Can you help please?

[simon jones]

Congratulations Andy - I'm sure you'll be an asset to the college and benefit from its relaxed atmosphere.

[Youthblog]

Many congratulations! I hope I get the chance to buy you a coffee in Oxford if there is a time when you are not at College or the Bodlean!

[Simon Harry]

Andy,
You don't know me but I'm afraid you soon will. Glad to hear you are coming to Regents next term. I am about to start my third year on the ministerial course. Have enjoyed looking at your website in the past and look forward to meeting you .

Simon