Cliff College News

Thinking of studying at Cliff?

Cliff College — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The good news is that despite very good application numbers, Cliff College still has places available on our various courses starting in September 2010. Its not too late, and we look forward to exploring with you whether Cliff is part of the way for you to equip yourself to serve God. Get in touch with us!

For those thinking of starting in September 2011 we have four open days coming up during the next academic year, to which you’d be very welcome. For more information and to book, please contact Rosie Bourne at undergrad@cliffcollege.ac.uk or 01246 584202. Overnight accommodation is available if you are travelling some distance to be with us. The dates of the open days are:

October 19th 2010 and March 22nd 2011 - if you're interested in our BA Theology course.
January 18th and February 1st 2011 - if you're interested in our part time courses in children's and youth ministry leading to Diploma and Degree.

Get in touch. Come along and see how Cliff could be where you’re meant to be.

Festival 2011 Flyer

Cliff College — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

At Festival this year, some of you may have seen our new flyer for next year's Festival - here it is online! Feel free to tell everyone you know about it - we're aiming for bigger and better next year!

BBC Festival profile

Cliff College — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

While we were setting up for Festival here at Cliff, we also found time to talk to BBC Radio Derby, who then broadcast the profile they put together, over Festival weekend. For those of you who missed it, we now have a recording available to listen; click on the link on the left hand bar on the Festival page to hear it.

Festival report

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

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....

To read the full report, please click here

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

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!

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

...and let us know what you thought about Festival 2010.

Are you coming to Festival?

Cliff College — Mon, 24 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In just a few days Cliff College will be hosting this year's Festival. Whether you choose to come for just one day or for the whole weekend, there will be lots on, and we look forward to welcoming old friends and new. So, whether you're a hardened Cliff veteran or you've never been before, come and experience Festival, and have a great time!

Some of the highlights include;

A brand new youth and alternative venue and programme - Pulse

Adrian and Bridgit Plass

Ceilidh with live band

Temple Rhythms Gospel Choir - workshop and performance

Philppa Hanna

DJ Kubix

Prayer Journey

Creche with live video feeds broadcast from Bible studies and worship

Drumming Workshop for 200 people....

And lots more!

For more details, check out the Festival page on this website, which now includes the program of events, so you can plan what you might like to go to.

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!

Festival is just around the corner!

Cliff College — Thu, 13 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In little more than 2 weeks Cliff will be holding the annual Festival, which this year promises to be better than ever, with inspiring worship, engaging bible studies, entertaining events and fantastic fellowship, all over the May bank holiday weekend. Come along - for as long as you can, whether that's visiting daily or staying on-site. Plus, if you fancy camping, but don't want the hassle of finding a tent and putting it up, then check out our link to Tangerine Fields, who will do all the hard work for you. Hire prices start at £30 pp. Please book online at www.tangerinefields.co.uk and follow the Cliff College Festival link or contact them by post PO Box 1357, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 9FN or telephone 07821 807000.

For more information on Festival, see below for a brief taster, or check out the new pages on the Festival section of the website, where there are just some of the many things featured over the Festival weekend. There is also now a full timetable of events planned, so you can see what is happening when, and where, before you arrive. Click here to watch the promo video!

Generate Justice

Cliff College — Thu, 06 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Generate Justice will march from Westminster Central Hall to Trafalgar Square, stopping at places along the way to get involved in visual, exciting and creative activities. With Shane Claiborne, a BBC film Crew, backing from the MET police and friends, this promises to be an awesome opportunity to show how much we care about the world and people around us.

We are excited about gathering together on 22nd May and letting the UK know that young people are passionate about justice; we want to be heard and we want to make a difference.

See the Generate Justice video

Need to know…

At 10.00am on 22nd May, we will get together at Westminster Central Hall. Emerging Culture are hosting the day and have invited Shane claiborne to share his heart for justice and we will worship together. This is also an opportunity to meet the Generate Justice team.

Throughout the rest of the early afternoon we will walk to Trafalgar Square, stopping along the way…

TUG-OF-WAR & TREASURE ISLAND highlighting the damage economic injustice causes the world’s poorest countries, with friends at Christian Aid.

“I’M NOT FOR SALE” outside Downing Street, we will call on the new Prime Minister to make people in poverty a priority of their new government. Friends at Tearfund are running this event.

BLOW THE WHISTLE & SHOW THE RED CARD to persection of our global family. With Open Doors, we will be celebrating our freedom and we will speak up for the powerless.

The day will finish with a huge celebration in Trafalgar Square, with more worship and Shane Claiborne, who will march with us throughout the day.

New BA in Theology Prospectus

Cliff College — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

To have a look simply click on the front cover image or click here. You can save the document to your computer by simply clicking on the 'disk icon' on the toolbar in the top left corner of your browser.

No tent - no problem!

Cliff College — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000

We are teaming up this year with Tangerine Fields to give you the opportunity to move straight into an erected tent when you arrive at The Festival. Hire prices start at £30 pp. Please book online at www.tangerinefields.co.uk and follow the Cliff College Festival link or contact them by post PO Box 1357, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 9FN or telephone 07821 807000

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.

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 -

Mac/Quicktime users

Windows media users

Korean Methodists Come to Cliff

Cliff College — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Cliff College has recently hosted a group of Korean Methodist ministers and students. Led by Rev Dr Donghwan Kim, the group have taken a week's teaching in mission at the college delivered by some of our academic staff. As part of the overall visit the group have been able to visit Methodist Church House and Epworth, and take in some of the sights of London and Derbyshire.

Dr Stephen Skuce commented, 'This is the first step in an ongoing collaboration with some Korean Methodist groups. They are hoping to create links with Cliff College on a number of levels and it is anticipated that several joint projects may develop. For Cliff it's great to be associated with perhaps the most powerful national church within world Methodism, and flattering that they have come looking for these relationships with us. It ties in well with our work with Nigerian Methodism and enables Cliff to play an increasingly important role in international Methodism'.

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

Book Sale

Cliff College — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

BEDFORD BOOKS

HERE at CLIFF on:

Thurs 26th Nov
from 10am - 2.30pm
in the Chatsworth Room

Large selection of Theology, Commentaries,
Reference etc at
greatly reduced prices.

***********************

All major Credit Cards accepted

FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER TEAM - WE NEED YOU

Cliff College — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

We are once again seeking a team of volunteers who can help with preparation and clear up for the Festival as well as over the Festival weekend itself. You can offer to serve for either the whole period or parts of it as follows:

Tuesday 25^th May 9am to Friday 28^th May 4pm

Housekeeping duties (including bed making, cleaning etc)
Gardening and general maintenance
Kitchen and catering (you should have a current food hygiene certificate/ appropriate training could be provided)
General team (estates) setting out chairs etc in tents, moving equipment around site etc

Friday 28^th May 4pm to late Monday 31^st May

Housekeeping duties (including cleaning, servicing washrooms etc)
Site duties such as keeping site tidy, moving equipment around, selling programmes etc
Kitchen and catering, including Eagles Cafe (you should have a current food hygiene certificate/appropriate training could be provided)
Stewarding
Children's Team (CRB check required - dated no more than 2 years previous to the time of application)
Youth Team (CRB requirements as above)
Prayer Team (experience in this area is required)

Tuesday 1^st June to Wednesday 2^nd June afternoon

Housekeeping clear up
General clear up, emptying tents, putting equipment into storage etc

Please note that all volunteers whilst they are working will be provided with meals. Accommodation will be available on site for volunteers, excepting those in the Stewarding and Prayer teams (who are expected to book accommodation at Festival in the usual way). However, as College/Conference rooms are at a premium, volunteers are encouraged to bring their own caravan or tent, the space being available free of charge to them whilst working. It may be possible that accommodation will also be available in local homes, again free of charge to the volunteer.

If you are interested in volunteering at Festival 2010 please will you contact Alison Woodgate (Evangelism Dept Administrator) on 01246 584222 email a.woodgate@cliffcollege.ac.uk or write to the Volunteers Coordinator, Cliff College, Calver, Hope Valley, Derbys S32 3XG as soon as possible for more information and an application form. Deadline for applications is 31^st January 2010.

Cliff Saddened by Loss

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

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

Cliff College Fellowship Weekend

Cliff College — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Fellowship and Teaching Weekend

A Weekend of Fellowship and Celebration
with time to enjoy the environs of Cliff
for former students and staff, their families and friends of Cliff

Friday 16th to Sunday 18th July 2010 (Evening meal on Friday until after Sunday Lunch)
Guest Speaker: Judith Rossall
Theme: 'Created in the image of God; living as the image of God'

£108.50 single and £102.50 sharing - usual discounts available

Click here to download a booking form

Open Day, March 2nd

Cliff College — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Last week we had another successful Open Day here at Cliff College with potential students visiting us from around the UK in order to get a first hand experience of Cliff Life! They expressed how much they enjoyed themselves while participating in our lectures, meals and evening house groups.

If you would like to participate in an Open Day than your next opportunity is not far away as we will be holding our next Open Day on March 2nd, 2010. This is a great chance for you to come visit us and get a feel for what it might be like if you were to study full time at Cliff College. Please feel free to bring a family member or a friend along with you but make sure you book in advance as places are always limited. We will feed you, give you free accommodation and even try to arrange a lift for you from the nearest station should you come by train!

You could read all you want about Cliff and people could tell you all kinds of great stories, but there is nothing like coming and finding out for yourself, so why not go ahead and book by calling Matt Lollar on 01246 584 227 or sending him a quick email with all of your details to m.lollar@cliffcollege.ac.uk? If you are a Cliff supporter or alumni why not tell your friends about us, telling just a couple people could go a long way to helping both them and us!

Places Still Available

Cliff College — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Cliff College is still accepting applications for the 09/10 academic year. If you want more information or would like to speak with a member of staff, please call on 01246 584 200.

Staff Farewells!

Cliff College — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Sue Peat

Sue has been working as an Evangelist at Cliff College for the past ten years. Sue has given herself 100% to the good of the College. I remember every Festival and the enthusiasm, commitment and the hard work that she has put in with a serving heart. Sue believes in Cliff and what it stands for and she has contributed so effectively and positively to the life and ministry of this place. It has been a pleasure and honour to work with Sue. If you talk to students past and present, you will realize how much their life has been impacted for having had her pastoral support, the experience of being on mission with her, and the craziness and laughter of Sue in their lives. On the other hand, Sue has been involved with all members of staff, encouraging and supporting and being Christ-like to all.

Sue is moving on to follow God's call in her life to serve him as a Deacon in the Methodist Church. She has been accepted for training and is going to Durham for a year, before she is placed in a Circuit to fulfil God's calling. We send Sue out with our blessing, knowing that the God that calls, also equips and also knowing that Sue will be a blessing to many. Thank you for all that you have given us. You have been such an inspiration!

- Eva Walker

Chris Cole

Chris came to Cliff simply to help out in the grounds over the summer of 2002, but it soon became clear that he could turn his hand to maintenance and all things practical. Soon after arriving, a major development of Cliff’s facilities began, so, moving away from gardening, Chris became involved in building and restoration work under the guidance of Andy Barnett. After Andy left in 2006, many of his responsibilities moved to Chris who then assumed the role of Estates Supervisor, a job which he has done skillfully.

Yet Chris will be missed for much more than his technical ability. He has brought much to Cliff in his strong Christian faith, his dry sense of humour and his energetic enthusiasm. Chris is moving on to work for ‘Caring for Life’, a home in Leeds which gives long-term support to homeless and vulnerable adults, through an arts and crafts programme and through work on a farm which Chris will manage. We want to thank Chris for his commitment to Cliff and we wish him and his wife Beverley all God’s strength in his new venture.

- Rick Fillingham

Ron Willoughby

Ron has served at Cliff College as our Contemporary Christian Studies Tutor and has made many positive contributions to the life of Cliff College during his time with us. He brought us many helpful and challenging insights concerning the practicalities of church planting and of the emerging conversation, and his gifts as a preacher have been much appreciated both within the College and far beyond. As the incoming Principal, I personally valued the help that Ron gave me last summer when he took time to guide me into the pattern of the life of the College and to interpret to me the various processes and pieces of paperwork which might otherwise have overwhelmed me on my arrival! Ron has been a source of support to many of the students and has always been concerned for the well being of his colleagues.

We also say thank you to Ron's wife Barbara for her work as a note taker and for her involvement in many other ways in the life of our community.

At a time of change we pray for Ron, Barbara, Kathryn and Joseph that they might know God's blessings into the future.

- Chris Blake

Helen Edwards

Helen has been a member of staff at Cliff College for the past nine years. Helen started work as an Evangelist and then moved on to become the Mission and Placements Co-ordinator, with recently being the second year course tutor as well. This shows her dedication to her work and to the life and ministry of the college. Helen believes in this place and she has been very involved with the discipleship and nurture of the students, rejoicing in their achievements and progress. Helen has been a good friend to many and people have been touched by her support, care and concern. She always went the extra mile in her care of the welfare of the students. Helen brought a lot to the college, and many of us are better people for having known her personally and the College has been blessed by her presence, commitment, ministry, skills, and willingness to help anybody whenever there was a need.

Helen is moving on to do her teacher training, as she fulfils God’s calling to become a teacher. As she embarks on this new journey in her life, we want to let Helen know that she has been a blessing to many, and that God will be using her to make a difference in the lives of those she is going to meet. Thank you for all that you have given us. You have been a blessing to all and it has been an honour to have known you!

- Eva Walker

Other Changes

We also say goodbye to Rob Redpath who has served as our AVA and IT supervisor over the last twelve months and to Rev Jonathan Kerry who has been working for us part time during the last year giving us valuable help with various accreditation processes.

We pray for them as they move to new situations. We also pray for Eva and Mick Walker who are expecting twins. Eva is our European Evangelism Enabler but will be on maternity leave from the start of September.

We also pray for Phil Meadows who will be moving from full-time to half-time at Cliff College so that he can lead and develop the "Inspire Project". We believe that this change is the result of God's call on Phil's life and we look forward to hearing more about the development of this new area of ministry in a future edition of "Cliff Today".

Within the staff team the Evangelism Department will see a new staffing pattern from September. Heading up that team will be Rev Piers Lane who will take on the responsibility of being Director of Evangelism. Once again there will be more details in the next edition of Cliff Today regarding the ongoing and developing evangelism activity of the College.

Next Open Day

Cliff College — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

October 6th, 2009

On October 6th, 2009 we are going to be holding an Open Day for any prospective 'full-time undergraduate' students. This will be a brilliant chance for you to come, sit in on some lectures, meet staff and students, eat with us, pray with us, worship with us and find out if Cliff is the place where God is calling you to study. We are confident that if you come and see what we are about, you will want to come back!

Although we do our best to show you through this website what it would be like if you came to Cliff College, we believe that community life is vital to discipleship and spiritual growth, and that is part of the reason we would love you to come and investigate Cliff College for yourself.

Complimentary food and drinks will be provided throughout the day and if you would like to stay for our evening celebration, then complimetary accommodation can be made available on site to enable you to gain a more thorough view of the life at Cliff College.

If you would like to join us for this day then please get in contact with Rosie Bourne as places are limited and we will arrange transport from local train and coach stations if required.

My Gap Year Story...

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

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!

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)

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.

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.

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!

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

Festival Programme

Cliff College — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The programme for this year's Festival, can now be downloaded as a PDF by Clicking Here! We hope this will give you a feel of what to expect this year a little bit in advance.

Important Festival Notification

Cliff College — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Due to a high level of demand all indoor accommodation for Festival 2009 is now fully booked; however, camping plots are still available at this time. Alternatively, we are running a waiting list for those who need indoor accommodation but no guarantees can be made as to whether these will become available. Please phone Veronica Evans on reception for more details.

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 Children's and Youth Work Programmes

Red Nose Day 09

Cliff College — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

There was buzz in the air today at Cliff College as many staff and students were taken in by the spirit of Red Nose Day, dressing up in some very colourful and unusual clothes all in the attempt to raise money for charity. Bright pink stockings, sun glasses, wigs, odd shoes and crazy hair styles were all some of the things you would have seen on campus today!

Although we have no photographic evidence, we have heard from a reliable source that even the principal got involved in the antics by wearing a very colourful tie and a huge afro. He was overheard telling some of the students that his appearance today was not far off from what he would have looked like during the fashionable era that we simply know as "the 70's!" Amongst all the fun of the day, there did seem to be a bit of sadness as he explained how he no longer owned platform shoes that would have accompanied the rest of his outfit so well. Another source told me that the principal, with much persuasion, did remove the wig during one of his lectures as the students were having difficulty concentrating.

Even those who weren't brave enough to get involved in the fancy dress played a vital role today by giving money to the communal pot, which will be donated later in the day to Comic Relief.

David Firth's New Book

Cliff College — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

After over seven years of work, David Firth’s commentary on the books of Samuel is now available, click here to purchase from IVP.

The books of Samuel contain two of the Bible's best-known stories - David's encounter with Goliath (1 Sam. 17), and his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah (2 Sam. 11). However, Samuel does more than just tell stories, particularly of how first Saul and then David became king of Israel and the mistakes both made; it also offers a profoundly theological reflection on this formative part of Israel's history and an artistic telling of it. We are told how Israel's monarchy began: the way this is done points to the interpretation of these events.

Thus, in this excellent commentary, David G. Firth takes seriously the narrative techniques employed in the books of Samuel. Arguing that the books are a carefully constructed, intentional unit for interpretation, he explores the central theme of how the reign of God is worked out in the interplay between king and prophet. What emerges is a text that spoke with power into its own context - and which continues to address believers today.

New Courses!

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

Manchester Approves

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.

Postgraduate Tutor

Cliff College — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

CLIFF COLLEGE

Cliff College offers undergraduate and postgraduate theology degrees, focused on evangelism in contemporary culture, emerging church, leadership and renewal, biblical theology, children's and youth ministry. Our courses are validated by the University of Manchester and our student body is both diverse and international.

Postgraduate Tutor. To be part of a team teaching at postgraduate level in the general area of mission. To offer leadership to the taught MA in Mission programme. To supervise research students. Ability to teach in one or more of the following areas: leadership, renewal, emerging church, youth and children's ministry.

You will have a PhD in theology or related area, or near to completion. You can be lay or ordained. For a ministerial appointment (in the Methodist Church or another denomination in communion with the Methodist Church), the Methodist stipend and allowances will apply. A lay appointment will be in the region of £33,000.

The Next Steps. To find out more about the College go to www.cliffcollege.ac.uk. For information on the post and an application form contact Helen Phipps on 01246 584216 or postgrad@cliffcollege.ac.uk.

Applications must be received by 19 March and interviews take place at the College on 27 March.

Cliff College, Calver, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S32 3XG

Cliff College Open Day

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

Is He Calling?

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

When I first came to Cliff College as a student in 1996 I didn't know that any other Bible colleges existed! I simply knew that God had called me to come to Cliff for a year - and so I followed his call, and one year turned into three - and many more as a staff Evangelist! Many of our fulltime students today give a very similar reason when asked how they came to be studying at Cliff; God summoned them here. Some looked round a number of colleges, and knew when they got here that this was where God wanted them; others just knew before even applying that God wanted them at Cliff College.

I believe that God brings people here because he has a plan for them - he has a purpose that he wants to reveal, and somehow coming to Cliff fulltime prepares people for that. That plan isn't always revealed during one, two, three or more years at Cliff - but that time seems to act as a foundation on which God can build something amazing.

My best memories of my time as a student aren't of deep revelation in the classroom (though obviously every lecture I learnt something of great importance!) but of the times when God's Spirit was at work either in me or around me. I arrived determined that I would not choose any option that might result in me having to preach, lead worship or pretty much do anything that would mean people looking at and listening to me! I left having experienced all of those things and more - and knowing God's equipping and transformation throughout my life.

A particularly special memory is of Howard Mellor (the Principal then) leading a really simple communion with my 3^rd year group. We had come to the end of 5 weeks of really intense lectures; we were all pretty exhausted and were sat around on the floor of Eagles lounge. The Spirit moved amongst us all in such a gentle but powerful way - leaving nearly all of us in tears with a sense of healing and God's promise that he knew his plans for each one of us and he would reveal them in his time.

Is God speaking to you about coming to Cliff? Is he calling you here? I encourage you to take a chance on following his call and get in touch. A final warning though - be prepared for God to change you in ways you might never have imagined in your time at Cliff College!

Helen Edwards
Missions and Placements Coordinator

Time for Change? - Festival 2009

Cliff College — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Festival 2009 promises to be an amazing weekend with something for everyone in an exciting and varied programme!

The theme for this year's Festival is "Time for Change?" and we will be exploring what God is saying to us both individually and as a church as we seek to be faithful disciples in a rapidly changing world.

The main Bible studies will be led by Rev. Paul Smith from Plymouth Central Hall and our visiting preachers include Rev. Keith Garner from Sydney, Australia.

As usual there will be a range of worship opportunities over the weekend, including reflective worship and a U2Charist on the Sunday morning as well as the gatherings for worship in the Cliff Hall Marquee each evening and throughout the day on the Bank Holiday Monday.

There will be activities for children of all age groups as well as a dedicated youth programme running throughout the weekend. We are also making plans to provide accompanied creche facilities for those with very young children.

Each day will end with the popular "Late Night Extra" at which the music will again be provided by "My Spoon". Also each evening, there will be relaxed fringe event and chat show, Friday night it will be host by a local singer/songwriter John Pickering, but Saturday, Sunday and Monday night it will be hosted by the new College Principal, Rev Chris Blake.

In addition to all this we are planning for a full seminar programme, for an enlarged exhibition area and for more opportunities for those attending Festival to have time to meet and chat with friends old and new. The Rhema Theatre Company will be presenting the "Miracle Mysteries" on the Sunday afternoon while on the Monday afternoon there will be a "Carnival Family Fun" event on our football field.

There are a range of accommodation options which are detailed on the booking form which can be downloaded NOW from this site. We are working with our new Caterers and our own Housekeeping staff to provide a good range of food options and venues.

If you are a Festival regular you will already know what an amazing event Festival can be. If you have never attended Festival before then why not make 2009 the year to come and see what Festival is all about! Come for a day or come for the whole weekend.

Festival is a place where faith can be discovered, where faith can grow and be deepened and it is a place where God speaks to His church and His people! See you there!

A booking form is available here.

Parents/Legal Guardians will need to fill in a 'Child Registration form' for any child aged between 3 and 11.

Upcoming Day Conferences

Cliff College — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Cliff College Postgraduate Department are running several Day conferences this year, here is a list of the next three upcoming events!

Vulnerable Mission: an understanding and practice
Tuesday 10 March 2009, 9.30am - 4pm
Speakers include: Dr Jim Harries (Kenya) and Dr Richard Briggs (Durham)

A booking form is available here.

Liberating lay people for mission in the world of work - reappraising the role of church leaders, chaplains and sector ministers
Wednesday 25th March 2009, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Some key issues this day will be addressing:

What is the meaning and nature of "mission" in the world of work?
How can lay people be supported and equipped for mission at work?
In what ways will the role of church leaders need to change to give primacy to lay people in this sphere of mission?

A booking form is available here.

Celtic Mission: an understanding and practice
Friday 19 June 2009, 9.30am - 4pm
Rev Dr Roy Searle
(Northumbria Community)

A booking form is available here.

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.

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.

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.'

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

It's just a thought.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

-Phil Meadows