Cliff College News

Programme for 2013 online now!

Cliff College — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

So it is here - the programme for Festival 2013! Just click on the PDF document on the left of the page to see all that this year's Festival has in store. You'll find a kaleidoscope of events for every age and taste. The full programme will be available to buy from Reception for £3 + p&p in a couple of weeks. And nice glossy versions of this PDF will be for sale at £1 + p&p too - or you can wait til Festival and buy them then. Now start telling everyone what you're looking forward to most! Don't forget to tweet about it if you are on Twitter. You cand find us @clifffest13.

NEW PART-TIME DIPLOMA COURSE in Creative Arts Mission & Ministry!

Cliff College — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Subject to final approval by The University of Manchester, the college are launching a new part-time undergraduate diploma course in Creative Arts Mission and Ministry to begin later in 2013. This diploma will add to the undergraduate diplomas in Mission and Ministry that we already run in Children, Youth and Third Age vocational ministry and is to be delivered for the first time this autumn. Could you be one of the first students on this highly creative course which is focussed at those working in the creative arts or who have a passion for using the creative arts within the Christian framework? The teaching is offered through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, group tutorials and individual learning. As part of the diploma students will be creating art.

Successful completion of the Creative Arts Mission and Ministry diploma course allows progression to the BA (Hons) in Mission and Ministry.

Teaching on the course will be offered through five week-long residential teaching units based here at the college, and spread over two years (for dates see below), supported by supervised distance learning.

THEMES AND DATES

Unit 1	Theology, Culture and Art	Nov 2013
Unit 2	Issues facing artists	March 2014
Unit 3 (&6)	Performance, Exhibition and Display (3 days in Yr1: Research & development 2 days in Yr2: Assessment)	April 2014 April 2015
Unit 4	Mission, Evangelism and Art	Nov 2014
Unit 5	Creativity, Spirituality and The Church	March 2015

The Programme Leader for all the part-time undergraduate courses is Ian White MA, PGDip. Other faculty will include Dr Ben Pugh, former professional artist and a number of other adjunct tutors who are specialists in their chosen area of art will be drawn into the course delivery.

The contact for all information on this new course is the Academic Registrar, 01246 584202, admissions@cliffcollege.ac.uk

Is this course for you? 'Yes!' - if you have an interest in the creative arts, and are seeking to use them for God. Why not come and join us here at Cliff this autumn?

Or, maybe consider attending the Christian Arts Mission & Ministry focussed Taster Day on 13th March 2014? (click here for details on this and other Open Days)

Aurora training partnership

Cliff College — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Aurora training partnership; The Diocese of Sheffield and the YMCA

Cliff College are pleased to announce a new partnership with the Diocese of Sheffield for the delivery of the new Aurora training courses (www.auroratraining.org.uk).

Aurora Children is the new name for the Children's Ministry Course which the Diocesan Children's Officer, Jenny Lambourne, has been running for a number of years and Aurora Youth is run by Director of Youth Ministries, Mike North and Jon Buckley from the YMCA. The Aurora courses will begin in September 2013. They are ecumenical courses run by the Diocese of Sheffield with external support from Programme Leader and Lecturer in Children's and Youth Ministry, Ian White from Cliff College.

Both courses are joining up with Cliff College to offer students the chance to obtain not only a Bishop's Certificate but also Cliff College Certificates in Youth or Children's Ministry. Students will be able to take advantage of the invitation to use Cliff College for two full day training sessions and benefit from other Cliff College lecturers.

Mike North: "We are very excited about this partnership as we believe Cliff College provides students with access to valuable resources and on-going training options."

Ian White: “We at Cliff College feel that these are significant courses working at local level in the South Yorkshire region. We encourage children’s and youth workers to step forward into this great training opportunity, which will lead onto even deeper ministry.”

Cliff College hopes that this partnership will lead to even more children’s and youth workers graduating onto the validated part-time diploma and BA courses in Children’s and Youth Ministry.

Festival Booking - don't miss out!

Cliff College — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

We're looking forward to Festival 2013, and hope you are too. If you've not already booked to camp, get your booking form in to us quickly (Click here to download it) and avoid disappointment - places are filling up fast, and indoor accomodation is now virtually full.

The theme for this year is '...and make disciples' (Matthew 28:19) and we've got a great lineup, including Martyn Atkins, Andy Hawthorne, Matt Summerfield, Mark Wakelin, Oddments Theatre company, Comedian and magician John Archer, and music from Philippa Hanna, Golddigger, Twelve24, Benny Lee & the Whistlestop Five, and much much more. For more of a taster, see below for our current promo video.

If you would like your children to join the excellent children's work stream, booking forms are on the main Festival page (www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/festival) as are booking forms for Adventure Plus Outdoor pursuits activities.

Finally, if you would like to come and offer your time as a volunteer, booking forms are also available from the main festival page.

However you come and whenever you come, we look forward to welcoming you to Festival 2013!

Cliff Festival 2013 from Cliff College on Vimeo.

Festival 2013 Promo video

Cliff College — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

We're very excited about many things that will be happening at this year's Festival, which will be titled '...And make disciples' and will be 'Exploring what it means to follow Jesus, both within and beyond the church...'

As a preview for that and with clips that remind us of how great last year's Festival was, here is our new promotional video. Please watch it, and share it with your friends.

Cliff Festival 2013 from Cliff College on Vimeo.

Girls Brigade to move to Cliff College

Cliff College — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The Girls Brigade organisation will move it's headquaters to Cliff College by Spring 2014, and take up residency in newly developed office space at the college. For further details of the move, please click here to read the Girls Brigade press release.

Positive QAA Review of Cliff College

Cliff College — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Cliff College has undergone a review for educational oversight by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and has received its final report,

We have received the following judgements from QAA:

The review team has confidence in Cliff College's management of its responsibilities for the standards of the awards it offers on behalf of its awarding organisation.

The review team has confidence that Cliff College is fulfilling its responsibilities for managing and enhancing the quality of the intended learning opportunities it provides for students.

The review team concludes that reliance can be placed on the accuracy and completeness of the information that Cliff College is responsible for publishing about itself and the programmes it delivers.

The report is available in full at: www.qaa.ac.uk/InstitutionReports/Reports/Pages/REO-Cliff-College-12.aspx

John Archer to perform at Festival

Cliff College — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0100

“One of the funniest men I know.”

TIM VINE - Comedian and TV Presenter

John Archer was the first man to fool Penn & Teller on ITV’s “Penn & Teller - Fool Us” hosted by Jonathan Ross, and the man Derren Brown booked for his dad’s birthday party, who tells us ‘I wanted a great act and went straight to John Archer - his reputation in the magic world is among the very best. Hysterically funny, and perfectly pitched for the occasion. He made the evening. I'd recommend him unreservedly’.

John’s also a follower of Christ, and we’re delighted to say that he’s going to be joining us at Festival 2013.

Cliff College and Fruitful Field

Cliff College — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0100

3rd July 2012

Methodist Church announces major reconfiguration of training structures

The Methodist Conference today agreed plans for a major overhaul of its learning and training networks.

Meeting today in Plymouth, the Conference received the Fruitful Field report, and agreed wide-ranging proposals for the future of the Church’s learning resources.

“For too long we have narrowly focussed our training on those who are to be ordained,” said Ken Jackson, Chair of the Ministries Committee. “Although this is an essential part of the picture, the time has come for a much broader understanding of what the Methodist people have to offer both the Church and the world. This is a fresh opportunity to re-affirm the importance of a huge range of lay ministries and to celebrate the diversity of gifts within our Church.”

The Conference agreed to establish two Connexional training centres: Cliff College in Derbyshire and the Queen’s Foundation in Birmingham. Additionally, a national network of training staff will be established to nurture learning, development, scholarship and innovation in regional contexts.

“As Christians, we’re not just called to be transformed by God, but in turn to transform the world around us,” added Mr Jackson. “We hope that this will prove to be a shared vision for an excellent and sustainable future for Methodist learning and development.”

Conference members also expressed their deep gratitude to all those across the Church who dedicate themselves to the fields of formation, learning, training, theological education, scholarship, research and development, and gave thanks to God for their faithful service and witness.

The Fruitful Field Project : Report to the Methodist Conference

Cliff College — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The fulll Fruitful Field Project report from the Ministries Committee is available below. This report was discussed and accepted at the Methodist Conference at its meeting in Plymouth in early July. Cliff College and The Queen's Foundation in Birminghamas are approved as the two centres within a new Discipleship and Ministries Learning Network.

The full report runs to 118 pages and is abailable from the Methodist Church website or by clicking on the link below.

The Fruitful Field Project : Report to the Methodist conference 2012.

Graduation 2012

Cliff College — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0100

We loved being able to celebrate the college graduation on Wednesday 27th June. The weather stayed fine (despite the typical Derbyshire forecasts of rain!) and we had a great day with the many students who graduated, from undergraduates to PhD students. If you go to the college Facebook page (click to redirect) you'll be able to see the photos uploaded from the day.

Festival T Shirts & Hoodies

Cliff College — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Festival Merchandise...available at discount prices!

After this year's brilliant Festival (many said 'best ever'!) we are discounting the remaining T shirts and hoodies, and these are available at a first come, first served basis.

We have ladies fitted, unisex and children's t-shirts left in all sizes and colours. These are now priced at £6 each. We have unfortunately sold out of adult hoodies but we do have Children's hoodies left in all sizes and colours which are now priced at £10 each.

Items are available from Cliff College reception (01246 584200) and there is a £3 postage charge per package that we send out.

Festival 2012 - Were you here?

Cliff College — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0100

We've been reading the comments, letters and feedback you've sent or posted on Facebook, and we are gratified that so many of you were able to come and share our Festival on the Jubilee Weekend, and blessed that so many of you had such a positive experience. There was so much feedback, we felt it was easier to tell the story in your words - not ours, so we've published just some of the comments we've recieved on the main Festival page (click here to go there). We've also put some of the many photos taken - to view on the bottom of this news item and on the Festival page. If you are a Facebook user and you've not already done so, please tell us what you found positive from the whole event (click here to go to the facebook page) or write/email us directly at the college (address below). This feedback is really helpful to us as it enables us to continue developing Festival, both in the areas we feel are the right thing to do, and also in any areas you feel we could develop further.

If you would like to email, please send to;

admin@cliffcollege.ac.uk

Or, write to us, at;

Piers Lane

Festival Director
Cliff College
Calver,
Hope Valley,
S32 3XG.

New Book - 'Now That Was Worship'

Cliff College — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Steve Emmery-Wright, one of our Faculty, has just had a new book published.

Now THAT Was Worship examines young people's reactions and attitudes towards the worship they experience. It then reflects on their comments and seeks to understand how they engage in and how they might be empowered to worship. It is clearly a book for individuals and churches that work with young people - but it is also a book which offers insights and ways forward for us all. Through this study, young people provide a window on church worship, revealing how they create worship, who they create it for and the culture in which it is created. This book is therefore an important tool to help the whole church understand its worship, identify what may be wrong with it and discover how it can be developed and changed.

The book is available to buy from Moorleys online bookshop. Click here for the link.

Cliff College Scheduled for QAA Review

Cliff College — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Cliff College has received confirmation that the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education has scheduled us for a Review for educational oversight during 2012.

This review process is part of the new regulations for private colleges seeking to continue to welcome students who require visas in order to study in this country.

Cliff College Summer School 2012

Cliff College — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Are you a Church member wanting to better read, study and understand the Bible?

Are you a worship leader or preacher and want to be refreshed in your studies?

Are you a vocational practitioner wanting to further explore the missional task?

Are you preparing for a course of theological study, and want to get up to speed?

If you answer 'Yes' to any of these questions, then the Summer School is for you!

For further details, please click here.

Cliff College Daily Prayers

Cliff College — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Praying with Cliff College

Morning Prayers take place each morning in the College Chapel – many former students will remember them as a special time each day. This year we have started to use a new Daily Prayer liturgy – which helps us shape our prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving and intercession – still allowing us freedom to pray in creative ways, but rooted in words that have been specially written for the college community.

Please click here to download this exciting resource, or request a printed copy from College Reception (phone 01246 584200). Using this alongside the Praying for Cliff section found in the Cliff Today magazine will enable you to be part of our daily prayers. If you are not already on the mailing list to recieve the magazine then please call to request this. We need the prayer support of our friends so much, and we thank you for doing this.

New Festival promo video

Cliff College — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0100

We have a new promo video for Festival 2012, featuring content from Festival 2011. Please check it out and share it around! If you were at Festival this year, you may be on here, and if you weren't, have a look at what you missed!

Festival expands

Cliff College — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0100

College is developing its annual Festival to include two extra events each year. The Festival weekend (1-4 June 2012) will be preceded by a performance by Rend Collective Experiment on Friday October 21st (doors open 7pm), and another concert to be held in March - details still to be announced. Rend Collective are one of the UK's top Christian bands, having recently played Greenbelt and other events to great acclaim. From Northern Ireland, their music is passionate, God-infused, joyful and enjoyed by all ages. Festival Director, Piers Lane, said, ‘We hope that lots of people will come along to the gigs, and have a great time. Of course, promoting Cliff College is one of the keys purposes, but as well as this, we hope that these events will be of use as a tool for mission to churches in the area'. Tickets for the Rend gig are available from Cliff College Reception or by phoning 01246 584200. The cost is £5.00.

New Course; Third Age Mission and Ministry

Cliff College — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

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Cliff College is delighted to announce the validation by the University of Manchester of a ground breaking course in Third Age, Mission and Ministry. With a focus on ministry and mission amongst older people this diploma course is designed for volunteers, care workers, pastoral visitors, lay workers, deacons, ministers – in fact anyone with a heart and a concern for the elderly.

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To be delivered as a part-time course over two years, the course will launch in autumn 2011, and will explore issues of mission and evangelism, ethics, spirituality, contemporary life and the development of the worker amongst older people.

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With a right and continuing focus on training for workers with children and young people, it is time to also look clearly at how we are training for the significant ministry that lies around us, and is set to increase in the future – our work amongst older people. The Third Age carries many challenges and potential. Are we ready as a Church to respond to that challenge and release that potential? Will you be one of the first students?

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“This course breaks new ground in developing understanding and skills for ministry and mission with those in the third age of life. It provides a stimulating and well focused approach for work with this important and increasing sector of our congregations and the population at large.” Graham Hawley, author ‘Crying in the Wilderness; Giving Voice to Older People in the Church

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“I am delighted that Cliff College has developed this exciting course. The Church has for too long neglected the area of mission and ministry amongst older people – usually on the grounds that we were doing it anyway! But in fact it has served to marginalise the place of older people in mission-shaped Church thinking. This course offers the real possibility of rectifying that error.” Rev. Dr. Keith Albans Group Director - Chaplaincy & Spirituality, MHA Care Group

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For more details contact Rosie Bourne on 01246 584213 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 01246 584213 end_of_the_skype_highlighting / undergrad@cliffcollege.ac.uk or explore the new Third Age Mission and Ministry page.

Refurbished Accomodation

Cliff College — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000

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Cliff College recently opened its newly furbished student accommodation offering 15 en-suite rooms. The top corridor of the main College building has been completely redesigned and all of the rooms in that area now provide a very comfortable en-suite study space for residential BA and MA students and an attractive place to stay for visiting groups. The college is planning further significant improvements over the next two years to provide even more en-suite accommodation for students and conference visitors.

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Cutting the ribbon is Charles Freebury (Cliff College Committee Chair) and Tara Munro (Student President) and overseeing the ceremony is the Principal, Rev Dr Chris Blake. Dr Blake said, ‘We are delighted to be able to offer this contemporary accommodation to students and guests and are firmly committed to facilitating learning in the best possible environment for this and future generations of students’. The ceremony was observed by members of the Cliff College Committee and current students and staff.

DMiss Approved by University of Manchester

Cliff College — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Cliff College is very pleased to announce that the new Professional Doctorate in Missiology (Dmiss) has been formally approved by the University of Manchester and will begin in September 2011. Details of this programme can be found here. The college welcomes inquiries and applications for this programme which we are confident will earn its place as the leading missiological qualification in Britain.

Cliff College Committee members wanted!

Cliff College — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000

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The Cliff College Committee, our governing board, is seeking new members with senior level experience of management or governance, including backgrounds in estates management, marketing or the hospitality industry as well as other relevant areas. Applications from women and members of ethnic minorities are strongly encouraged.

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We are a Methodist foundation at the leading edge of teaching evangelism, emerging church and other mission areas. Our 250 students from a wide range of denominations study at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels, with our degree courses validated by Manchester University. We also run a Conference Centre offering catered accommodation and facilities to large numbers.

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Applications are invited by 31^st December 2010 from individuals who are fully in sympathy with our values, share our commitment and excitement about what we do, and can demonstrate appropriate experience. The posts are not remunerated but expenses are met. The Committee meets three times annually at the College in Derbyshire.

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For further information see www.cliffcollege.ac.uk . Contact the Principal for full details (c.blake@cliffcollege.ac.uk , 01246 584209).

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Festival Logo

Cliff College — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000

OK - here's a challenge. See the picture above? The word 'Festival' was made from the corrugated cardboard that wraps around coffee cups. Taken on a train on the way to London. Can you do better? Get creating, and submit your Festival word pics by emailing them to ava@cliffcollege.ac.uk As next year's Festival theme is ''Asking for the ancient paths' we'd also like to see if you can keep the travelling theme going, and we'd love to hear how you have created your pictures while on a journey.

The more creative you are, the more likely we are to use the picture! Check out our Facebook page by clicking here, and we'll upload any we get sent. Happy creating!

Jon Ashby

Cliff College — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Many people have already been shocked and saddened by the news of the sudden death of Jon Ashby on Saturday the 21st August. Jon was a former student, and long time member of the Cliff Community, and he contributed to the life of the college in may ways, particularly as a gifted musician during the college Festival. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jon's family and friends at this time.

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The 'Jon Ashby Memorial Fund' is being set up for the training and support of young musicians at Cliff College. If you wish to contribute, please give donations or cheques made payable to 'Cliff College', and marked for the Jon Ashby Memorial Fund.

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Festival report

Cliff College — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

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Well, Festival 2010 is over, everything is put away, the crowds have gone home, but the happy-smiley-buzzy-feeling still remains. Well over a thousand people shared in worship, praise, teaching, learning, dreaming, drumming, dancing, chilling, praying, and more – and went home having considered how the church might sing God songs in today’s ‘strange land’. Some met with God for the first time, others renewed their faith after years of drought, still others heard God’s call into ministry, and yet others found healing – in body, mind, spirit and relationships....

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To read the full report, please click here

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If you have anything you wish to feed back to us about Festival, please comment on the college Facebook page, or email the Festival Director, Piers Lane - p.lane@cliffcollege.ac.uk

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Festival 2010

Cliff College — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Festival 2010 is now well and truly over, but it was a great time for all of us here at Cliff College, and was enjoyed and appreciated by many folk we've spoken to during and after the event. Thank you to all of you who came and made it such a success, and we look forward to seeing you here next Festival - if not sooner!

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More information and pictures will follow, but in the meantime, if you use Facebook, please can you click on our page.. here!

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\r\n...and let us know what you thought about Festival 2010.

New videos!

Cliff College — Mon, 17 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We now have our new promotional videos on the website. You might have seen the main college video on the home page, but there are others on the course pages of the website. Check out the links on the left of the course outline pages to see some of the students perspectives on how they've found their college courses, and more on what it means to be a Cliff student. To watch the main video in a bigger picture, click on the box with arrows pointing out to expand the film, or click here. Enjoy!

Cliff Freezes Prices

Cliff College — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Cliff College is responding to the current difficult financial situation by making the following commitment to its students. For all students arriving for the first time in September 2010, Cliff College will not raise the fees by any more than the rate of inflation as they progress from year to year. This is to help students be confident that the financial arrangements they have in place for their first year should be sufficient (with an appropriate inflation based increase) for the rest of their college course.

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To request more information about our courses, please call our academic administrator Rosie Bourne, on 01246 584 202 or to book your place on our full-time undergraduate Open Day, contact Matt Lollar on 01246 584 227.

New Festival Video

Cliff College — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

To download the festival video, please right-click on the link and save onto your computer -

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Mac/Quicktime users

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Windows media users

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Biblical Languages

Cliff College — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

One of the things about the BA course in Theology at Cliff College which excites me is the provision it makes for the teaching of the biblical languages, Hebrew and Greek.

Perhaps I should stress at the outset that these subjects are not compulsory, and if your interests are in different fields, or if you feel that learning an ancient language is more than you can cope with, then no one is going to require you to study them while you are at the College, but for those who feel up to it, and are interested, Cliff can take you to the highest levels of proficiency in either language.

Why do I say tat these courses excite me? Partly because I teach New Testament Greek at Cliff College myself, and have taught Hebrew at other colleges in the past, but partly also because I really believe that knowing one or both of the biblical languages is a great benefit in all kinds of ways. Let me name four:

To begin with, I find it to be a blessing to be in direct touch with the actual words which the biblical authors wrote, especially in view of the fact that we believe that it was the original text of Scripture which God inspired rather than any particular translation. I personally use the Greek text of the New Testament in my morning devotions every day, because I find that I can get inside the mind of the author, and thereby inside the mind of God, more fully than is possible through any English translation.

Secondly, the capacity to read the original text gives one the capacity to weigh up the value of different translations of the Bible. There is a large variety of translations of the Bible in English today, and often in house groups one finds that the members bring their own versions and puzzle together over their differences without knowing which version to trust the more. It is of great value to be in a position to evaluate the different translations, to see which ones stand closer to the original text and which have taken liberties with it in the interests of interpretation. Knowing the biblical languages gives one that capacity.

Thirdly, knowledge of the biblical languages opens the door on a whole range of scholarship which remains virtually closed to those who are nor familiar with them. The whole science of textual criticism, for example, which enables the student to assess the worth of variant readings within the manuscript tradition, is within reach of those who can handle the biblical languages. So are many commentaries and other works of biblical scholarship which assume a working knowledge of Hebrew and/or Greek.

Fourthly, as John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, once said: ‘What I learn, that I teach'. The benefits of knowing the biblical languages are not just for ourselves, but are to be shared with others. Particularly if you are called to be a preacher, you will have ample opportunity to share the special knowledge you have derived from studying the biblical languages with others, so that they also may enter into some of the riches you have discovered.

Truly there are great benefits to be had from studying the biblical languages, and Cliff College is a place where you can be helped to learn them.

- Rev. Dr Peter Ensor

Fakebook

Cliff College — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

How Many Friends Have You Really Got?

Five minutes goes by and I get out my Iphone, open up my Facebook app and check if I have any new wall posts, hoping that someone has sent me a message or ‘liked' my status. What did I do before Facebook? How did I stay in contact with my friends before I had them all at the click of a mouse or the tap of the keyboard?

Have you ever missed an event or not turned up to something because it wasn't on Facebook. I even rely on Facebook to tell me when my families' birthdays are. Social networking sites like Facebook have changed the way we live our lives. This has great implications for the church.

The pace and way of life is increasingly shaped by the technology we create and utilize. The way we communicate is often the basis for relationships, community and culture. New, powerful ways of communicating affect and transform the way we interact with each other in our schools, colleges and places of work. The internet and social networking sites, like Facebook, have a big potential to allow Christians to share our faith in new relevant way. They also have their dangers.

We can sometimes become so reliant on Facebook that we miss out on building relationships in person. Many times I get home from seeing my mates only to realize I'd forgotten how much I love spending time with them face to face. Nothing beats it. While Facebook is a powerful tool, it doesn't replace the quality time that comes from hanging out with your mates and doing what you love best together.

We only need to look at the bible to see that words are powerful used in the right way, at a distance or face to face. Facebook gives us the ability to be involved in many lives across many worlds. What we do with this technology will shape the future of our relationships with one another and the way we interact with God. Your status, your wall posts and your comments demonstrate who you are and what you believe in. What have you posted in the last few weeks? What does say about your life and your world? What does it say about your bond with God?

If we use Facebook as a way of challenging people's attitude towards God then it can be a powerful tool. If we use it as replacement for relationship it becomes a poor imitation of friendship.

Ali Johnson

Cliff Saddened by Loss

Cliff College — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

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Staff, students and committee members of Cliff College were saddened to hear of the tragic death of Tony Sullivan who was a member of our College Committee. Tony died in a helicopter accident on Sunday November 15th. Rev Dr Christopher Blake, the College Principal said, "Tony was an active and important member of our governing committee. He had a particular interest in the maintenance and development of our College buildings and he would regularly and generously offer his professional and business expertise to advise the Committee when decisions had to be made on these often very complex matters. His wise insights, his infectious smile, his strong Christian faith and his commitment to the life of the College will all be greatly missed. We are deeply thankful for all that Tony has done for the College and we are praying for Gerry and the other members of his family as they grieve."

From Student to Staff

Cliff College — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

It was early September 2004 when I arrived with my Mum and Dad at Cliff College. With a car full of stuff I embarked on a journey that has taken me across land and sea, to try and grapple with God and His passion for this world. When I arrived I was a boy on the edges of the church. I was loud and brash and sometimes I can imagine it was quite hard living with me. I just never seemed to fit in with the Christian folk. Some of them were weird, some of them were quiet, some of them looked down on me and I was left a little lost and confused. Some however, were the very opposite and loved me, despite all my flaws. I have spent the past 5 years of my life investing in a community that in turn invested in me. A community that I have learnt to cherish.

When I arrived as a student the last thing I was thinking about was staying on as a staff member or being associated with the place any longer than a couple of weeks. But God has used this place to massively challenge and change my ways of thinking and in turn my theology. Cliff College is an inspiring place and a place that builds and challenges. The transition from being student to becoming a member of staff has been at times rocky but also extremely interesting. I am part of a great team that loves and supports one other but also continues to push each other to create a place of excellence in mission.

I have always wondered what the disciples felt like after they were given the great commission. On the walk home from that unnamed mountainside in Galilee were they really ready for what was about to happen? Were they excited at the prospect or were they nervous at the immense pressure that had been placed on their shoulders? Just eleven men; fishermen, husbands, brothers and sons. I think I associate myself with the feeling that they must have had on that walk. Through the challenges and pressures God is remolding me into the person he wants me to be. I feel excited at the prospect of what is to come for both myself and this community that has meant so much to me over these 5 years. God is equipping us for the journey of following Him. I believe here at Cliff we are on a journey together, a journey that is much like the disciples journey from that unnamed mountainside back to Jerusalem. At Cliff I believe we can empathise with how the disciples must have felt on the way home from hearing the massive mandate laid down upon their lives. We are trying to encourage, equip and figure out how to fulfill that call upon all our lives. Making a change from seeing that as a student to seeing it as a staff member has meant that I needed and learned a lot but has required a lot of help and guidance on the journey. Just like the disciples sometimes I make a wrong turn but with the help of great colleagues and great students I find my way back.

Ali Johnson
Evangelist

My Gap Year Story...

Cliff College — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

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My name is Anneleen, I'm 19 years old and I am from Belgium. I have just finished my gap year at Cliff College, and would love to share my story with you.
Doing a gap year at a Bible college was not my initial plan. I was already planning on studying in the UK, but certainly not a subject like theology. I thought I would just start studying for a degree straight after school. At the start of my last year of school I started getting a little nervous. Leaving home to go study at university is a scary thing, but doing it in a foreign country made it sound so much more scary. It was my mum who came up with the idea of taking a gap year, in the UK preferably, for the sake of getting used to the language and culture. That seemed like a good plan to me. Then she suggested I could do it at a Bible college and that didn't sound like the best plan to me - more like the geekiest thing to do. I thought Bible Colleges must be full of holy nerds and that I would never fit in. I ended up looking at different Bible colleges only to please my mum. Cliff College seemed to be the best place and offered the best program to suit my situation. So I came to visit Cliff in October 2007. I wasn't exactly impressed with it because I wasn't convinced I wanted to spend a whole year of my life in a place with a bunch of theologians. But God clearly wanted me to go, so I applied and got accepted. And I must say, it was probably one of the best decisions I ever made.

Firstly, I would like to say, Bible College is definitely not full of geeks. I have met amazing people here, people I have learned so much from and really look up to. There was so much encouragement to be gained in my spiritual life. When you're surrounded by Christians all the time, their godliness simply rubs off on you. It was wonderful to be able to go to someone and ask for prayer, and this was a totally normal thing to do. I have been challenged in my faith in so many ways, and I have grown a lot. At Cliff everyone gathers every morning for, what we call, morning prayers. Now this sounded horrific to me at first; getting up early, every morning, to pray. But it was such a good discipline to practise and I got a lot out of it. As a gap year student I was appointed to a ‘mentor'. My mentor became more like a friend to me and someone I could confide in. I didn't see her as someone who was going to tell me what I had to change and how to do things. It was really nice to know I was able to fall back on someone if I had any problems or anxieties.

As a gap year student, I was given the freedom to choose what lectures I would sit in on, which essays I would write and which exams I wanted to take. Other students hated this (they were just jealous!), but I loved it. I chose to sit in on all the lectures because I wanted it to be a real part of my year and I wanted to learn things that I would otherwise never have the chance to learn. By writing essays and doing one exam I was able to learn how to write properly in English and in academic language. Most students don't get the chance to practice writing; they just have to get on with it. I was very happy I was able to do this, for now I know that I can write properly for next year when I'm at university. As a gap year student I got the opportunity to do more placements than the other students. I did do some extra activities like after school drop-ins, working at a church, helping and attending at a church weekend and just general helping out at different events.

I would recommend taking a gap year to anyone who wants a year out with God. Cliff College was like a home to me. The tutors became like second parents and the students were like brothers and sisters. Living in a close community like Cliff shapes your personality. I have become more patient with people (something I struggled with before I came to Cliff) and I have become a lot more open minded. Don't get me wrong, it has been very hard at times, being confronted with people I didn't always like. But I believe it was beneficial to me. I learnt a lot more about other cultures, different ways of worship, prayer and meditation. Something that I learnt as well was getting on with all people of all ages. Before my year at Cliff my friends were people of my age group. At Cliff my first close friend was a woman who is over ten years older than me and from a completely different culture. This friendship was so enriching to my life.

I'm leaving Cliff now, and going to Sheffield University to study Speech and Language Therapy. I do this now with more knowledge about the Bible, a better and stronger relationship with God and some amazing, supportive friends at Cliff. I wouldn't have had this last year any other way. Praise God!

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Anneleen Verlinden

Facebook and Twitter

Cliff College — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Cliff College is on both Twitter and Facebook so if you fancy following us on either, please click the pictures below!

Interpreting Isaiah

Cliff College — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

David G. Firth and H. G. M. Williamson (editors)

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Ever since the first century, Christians have regarded the book of Isaiah as a high point of the Old Testament prophetic literature. Its key themes, such as the suffering servant, deliverance from exile, and new creation, have been viewed as reaching particular fulfilment in the gospel. Isaiah has been formative to the identity of the people of God. It is a text to be weighed, on which to meditate and pray, and through which to explore the ways in which God works.

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Isaiah has also received more than its fair share of scholarly examination. While many excellent resources are now available, these tend to be either introductory or highly specialized; there are fewer that bridge the gap between the two. This volume contributes to that need: it assumes some foundational knowledge and guides readers through current issues and approaches. Here is evangelical scholarship that will inform, stimulate and reward diligent teachers and preachers of the Old Testament.

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Contributors: John Goldingay, Philip Johnston, Nathan MacDonald, David Reimer, Richard Schultz, S. D. Snyman, Jacob Stromberg, Dwight Swanson, Torsten Uhlig, Rikk Watts, Paul Wegner, H. G. M. Williamson and Lindsay Wilson.

Festival 2009

Cliff College — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Well, Festival 2009 has now come and gone this year, but we sure had fun! Throughout the weekend we had about 1,500 people come to Cliff to enjoy worship, camping, sports, Bible teaching, dancing, live music, food and sunshine. Over the weekend we had fantastic weather, four days of warm sunshine, it couldn't have been any better! If you weren't able to attend this year's Festival then you really missed out, but don't worry as it will all be happening again next year on May 28th- 31st. We hope to see you again next year!

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Below are a few photos from this year, if you would like to see more, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/cliffcollege

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Children's & Youth workers: Reflective Practitoners in Training

Cliff College — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

I have a great mirror in my office, handed to me by graduating students a few years ago. As well as their signatures around the glass, it has a big Y on it....a joke at my expense at the number of times we ask students the question ‘Why?', and tell them that the role of our children's and youth work courses are to help them become ‘reflective practitioners'.

All of our part-time children's and youth work courses are rooted in practice; it is really important that Christian mission and ministry is actually engaging with peoples lives. But often the busyness of the work means we forget to stop, do some reflecting on our activity and ask the question ‘Why?'. This is something everyone should ask in life, but especially in Christian ministry.

Why do we think like that? Why do we do what we do week by week? Why are children and young people important within the Church and wider society? Why is what we believe not what we do in practice? etc etc - the Why questions are really important, because they help us redirect our work towards what we should be doing.

Maybe you should be reflecting on your practice amongst children and young people, and doing that in the context of some highly creative and cutting edge courses alongside other practitioners. Why not join us here at Cliff? Maybe this is the way for you to receive professional ministry training, whether you are full, part or volunteer employed in your work with children and young people. Details of all the children's and youth work courses can be found under the Undergraduate (Part-time), and Postgraduate (Taught courses) tabs.

Ian White

Co-ordinator of Mission & Ministry Programmes

New Courses!

Cliff College — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Manchester Approves

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Cliff College is pleased to announce it will be starting a postgraduate programme in Children’s and Youth Mission from September 2009. This programme can be taken at certificate, diploma or MA level and compliments our existing BA in Children’s and Youth Ministry. For further details please contact our Postgraduate Administrator, Helen Phipps or see the Prospectus.

A Multicultural Faith

Cliff College — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Most of my ministry has been spent abroad. For 14 years I was based at St. Paul's United Theological College, Limuru, in Kenya, where we had students from 14 different African nations and 14 different denominations, and an international staff as well. It was a wonderful experience of ecumenical co-operation. Though inevitably there were tensions from time to time as people from different backgrounds sought to understand one another and live together in a close-knit community, there was also a wonderful sense of unity through our common faith in Christ. It was also a good example of the kind of fellowship Jesus envisioned when he prayed that those who believed in him might be 'one' as he was one with the Father (Jn. 17.21-23). Though our varying cultures should be viewed as part of the rich diversity of God's creation, nevertheless as Christians we recognise that it is God's will that they should never become barriers which separate us from one another, but should rather be transcended by the recognition of what we hold in common as Christian believers.

My experience at Cliff College is in this respect similar to my experience at St. Paul's. One of the things which have impressed me since joining the staff in September this year has been the variety of its student body. There are over 400 students attached to the College at the moment, of whom about 60 are residential and full-time, about 190 non-residential or part-time in this country, and a further 150 non-residential and part-time in Nigeria, studying through the College's International Learning Centre. The student body is made up of people of different ages, backgrounds, denominations and nationalities, including students from Belgium, Brazil, Burundi, Canada, Finland, Gambia, Ghana, India, Italy, Kosovo, Nigeria, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, USA, and Zimbabwe, as well as all parts of Great Britain.

Cliff is a place where all students are welcome, whatever their background. In an inter-connected world, which is increasingly becoming a 'global village', it is important for the church to model that unity which is God's will for his creation, and I am pleased that Cliff is demonstrating the possibility of realising this vision in its daily life.

Peter Ensor - Director of Undegraduate Studies

A Somewhat Modest Proposal

Cliff College — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I have a confession to make. I'm not normally inclined to confess to an audience I can't see, but confess I must. I'm a labeller. Well, actually, now that I think about it, that's not who I am, it's what I do. I label people. Maybe you know some labellers yourself.

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Labellers live and operate as if everyone fits into nice, neat, definable, knowable categories. By assigning someone a label or labels it gives the assigner a sense of security, knowing, maybe even of power. We have Ian or George or Sybil all figured out once we can give them a label or two. 'Well that's George. He's a southerner after all.' 'Ian's an evangelical, would you expect any less from him?' 'Of course Sybil's a good student, she's Asian.' Then we all nod knowingly, as if that word, or those words, captures the essence or explains the behaviour of George or Ian or Sybil.

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I remember when I pastored in the United States, people would come to see me and they'd begin their conversation with: 'Well Ron, my problem is that I'm your basic OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) . . .' or 'I think I might be a manic . . .' or 'I've had ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) my whole life.'

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It used to blow my mind how we sum ourselves and others up. Who taught us to talk like that? And when did we become convinced that we could adequately synopsize the totality of our or another's existence by a label or two or ten?

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It happened to me a few months ago. (Now don't tell anyone this, it's kind of embarrassing.) A buddy of mine from the States was over for a visit. We were chatting about whom I worked with and that sort of thing, when I get to telling him about this fellow I work with that I respect a good bit. I said something like 'Yeah, he's an Irish Evangelical Missiologist.' I just paused and we both laughed. When did I start talking like that? When did I start talking about other people like they were brands of cereal or appliances or something other than living, breathing, complex, mysterious, human beings?

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What I should have said about my colleague was something like: 'Yeah, he's originally from Ireland. Been through some stuff in his life. He came to Christ as a teenager, so he hasn't forgotten what it was like to be lost. He loves Jesus. He's an intelligent man who will challenge your worldview.' That's what I should have said.

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Notice the difference? The former lacks a certain humility, don't you think? And I remember reading in the Bible somewhere that humility is a pretty good idea. Come to think of it, Jesus said something about those of us who follow Him should serve one another. Labelling and stereotyping doesn't strike me as terribly servant-like.

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So, here's my proposal. I propose we go one week without labelling others. I know, I know, it sounds crazy, but I think we can do it. Just one week. We'll put words like conservative, liberal, traditional, modern, post-modern, charismatic, etc. all in our vocabularic closet. (I know vocabularic isn't really a word, but I'm a tutor so it's ok.) What do you think? Then we'll be free to get to know people and we won't have to pretend that we have them all sorted. And maybe, just maybe, along the way we'll discover that following Christ is easier without the use of labels.

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It's just a thought.

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Ron Willoughby - Tutor of Contemporary Christian Studies

Cliff Mission: Oct 24th - 26th

Cliff College — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Cliff Mission is something that the College has done since its foundation, over 100 years ago. It is out of our desire and calling to reach all people for Christ that we go, but it is also a fantastic opportunity to put some of our theological training and ideas into action in a very practical way! It comes as a welcome break to most of the students, to get out in the surrounding communities and help people both spiritually and practically. The way we do our mission has changed over the years but our goal is still the same, to love and serve people in practical ways, and to share Jesus Christ with them.

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This year we have 6 teams going out on mission. Four of those teams will be staying in Sheffield and surrounding areas, and the other two teams will be in Telford which is down in Shropshire. Who the teams are helping will vary greatly. A couple of the teams are going to help churches in their current ministries, improve activities within the communities and give some practical ministry training. The other teams are going to help local churches start new outreaches which will then carry on after the team is gone. Some of the activities that the teams will be involved in will be; gardening, litter picking, karaoke night, family days, tenpin bowling, walking, film night, discussion night, cafÃ© church and pancake evening.

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As you can see from the list, a lot will be going on over the next couple days, so please be praying for Cliff College and our students as we go out into churches and communities to help equip people for the gospel, and to spread the life saving message of Jesus. Without God going before us and sending his Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of people we will be reaching, our plans and strategy will be powerless to do anything. So please pray that God will send his Holy Spirit before us and work in the lives of the people we will meet and share Jesus with!

Stephen Skuce's New Book!

Cliff College — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Faith Reborn considers the place of faith and mission in a rapidly changing Ireland. The decline of institutional Christianity is re-read through a western post-Christendom paradigm. The decline of this institutional form of belief creates a unique opportunity for Irish Christianity to be reborn as a movement. Signs of this happening are considered and a potential, albeit very radical, way forward is articulated.

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While of clear relevance to those interested in mission and Christian faith in Ireland, this book gives an example of applying current missiological, emerging church, post-Christendom thinking and cultural analysis to a particular context to seek to understand what is happening, discern where God is leading and develop forms of church that made sense and are missionally effective in this new context.

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Available to Purchase by Clicking here!

Imagination

Cliff College — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100

That's what we encourage children to have isn't it? A fanciful thing which must eventually be given up in order to live in the 'real world'. But what if imagination is more than that. I am convinced our imagination is a God-given capacity to perceive 'things not seen' (Hebrews 11) with our physical senses. When our imaginations are captivated by the Spirit, we are given eyes of faith to see through the veil of our immediate circumstances, to see the presence and activity of God in our lives. If I am right, then the imagination is not a flight from reality, but the very means by which we know what is the most real of all.

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It is in our imagination that we escape conventional thinking, entertain new possibilities for our lives, and explore alternative worlds. It is the ability to see and anticipate the future, giving rise to our longings and aspirations, our hopes and fears. The imagination is where our dreams are formed, the driving force behind changing the reality we have for the reality we dream about.

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Having a 'sanctified imagination' is another way of talking about how the Spirit opens the 'eyes of our heart' (Ephesians 1:18) to understand the things of God, and to make them the centre of our attention. It is through a sanctified imagination that the Spirit imparts the dreams and visions of God's future for our lives, our churches, and our communities (Acts 2:17).

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But the imagination is also a place of 'spiritual warfare'! Our world is full of stories and images that would colonise our thinking with false promises of health, wealth, and happiness. In many ways, being a disciple is about struggling to envision the future that God has for us, guided by the gospel of Jesus Christ, in the midst of a world that competes for our imagination.

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At Cliff College, we are committed to helping people develop a sanctified imagination - to discover God's dream for their lives, and equip them for the task of faithful discipleship in contemporary culture. One way to think about mission is to have our imaginations shaped by God's future for the world, so that we can see how it is breaking into the present, and how we might join in what he is already doing. Evangelism, then, is the Christian task of working with the Spirit to help others see the reality of God and enter into his kingdom of love, joy and peace.

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Can you begin to imagine what your future looks like in God's hands? Do you want to have your imagination stretched, to envision what God can do in your life, in your family, in your church, or your community? Then you might consider a course at Cliff College, and join all those over the years who have been inspired to greater things in God.

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Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20).

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-Phil Meadows