About halfway through every semester, I like to ask my students to remember their ‘why’. During a class, I’ll ask them to recall how they ended up sitting in the lecture room with me. Why did they choose to study faith, leadership, mission and theology at Bishopdale College.
I do this because amidst the pressure of readings, lectures and assessments, it is easy for learners to get caught up in the academic grind... and to lose sight of the sense of calling that inspired them to study.
To be fair, this is a great question to ask – Why?
Why bother studying theology?
Why learn about the historical background to the Bible?
Why reflect on your spiritual growth?
The answer for most of our students is not usually about gaining a qualification. Studying at Bishopdale isn’t only about academic success, or about filling our heads with knowledge. Instead, students want to be better equipped for their vocation – discipleship, mission, service, leadership, witness. We want to learn how to faithfully communicate about the wild, beautiful goodness of God - in a world that wonders whether God is even real.
At Bishopdale College, our goal is that the time students spend studying is deeply formational. Our 'measure of success' is not only whether students get an A on their assessment, but also all the ways that students grow and learn and are shaped as disciples. We hope that through being members of the College community – eating lunch, attending lectures, asking hard questions, and praying together – students will meet with Jesus, and be transformed by the work of the Spirit.
Applications are now open for Semester 2, and we’d love for you to come and join us.
If you’re not sure about studying theology, but you love a free toastie, that’s also a great place to start – we provide toastie ingredients for community lunch every Tuesday. Come for the toasties. Check out a trial class. Stay for the growth and community.
2025 timetable available here: https://www.bishopdale.ac.nz/lecturetimetable
If you’d rather begin with a conversation, reach out to Simon the College Registrar: simon@bishopdale.ac.nz, 027 544 2208.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
About halfway through every semester, I like to ask my students to remember their ‘why’. During a class, I’ll ask them to recall how they ended up sitting in the lecture room with me. Why did they choose to study faith, leadership, mission and theology at Bishopdale College.
I do this because amidst the pressure of readings, lectures and assessments, it is easy for learners to get caught up in the academic grind... and to lose sight of the sense of calling that inspired them to study.
To be fair, this is a great question to ask – Why?
Why bother studying theology?
Why learn about the historical background to the Bible?
Why reflect on your spiritual growth?
The answer for most of our students is not usually about gaining a qualification. Studying at Bishopdale isn’t only about academic success, or about filling our heads with knowledge. Instead, students want to be better equipped for their vocation – discipleship, mission, service, leadership, witness. We want to learn how to faithfully communicate about the wild, beautiful goodness of God - in a world that wonders whether God is even real.
At Bishopdale College, our goal is that the time students spend studying is deeply formational. Our 'measure of success' is not only whether students get an A on their assessment, but also all the ways that students grow and learn and are shaped as disciples. We hope that through being members of the College community – eating lunch, attending lectures, asking hard questions, and praying together – students will meet with Jesus, and be transformed by the work of the Spirit.
Applications are now open for Semester 2, and we’d love for you to come and join us.
If you’re not sure about studying theology, but you love a free toastie, that’s also a great place to start – we provide toastie ingredients for community lunch every Tuesday. Come for the toasties. Check out a trial class. Stay for the growth and community.
2025 timetable available here: https://www.bishopdale.ac.nz/lecturetimetable
If you’d rather begin with a conversation, reach out to Simon the College Registrar: simon@bishopdale.ac.nz, 027 544 2208.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
