The 'Wednesday Programme'
Students receive training each Wednesday afternoon & evening during term-time.
A typical Wednesday begins at 1:30 with three 50 minute sessions. These may include preaching class, teaching and discussion on a range of pastoral issues led by either College tutors or external speakers.
These classes are followed by a shared tea, after which students will break into pastoral groups for discussion.
The day concludes with a worship service, and students depart at 7:30.
Pastoral Study Days outside of term-term time
We offer block teaching of Baptist History and Principles, which are compulsory for ministerial training, and also for those wanting to train as lay pastors or lay preachers.
Each academic year begins with an introductory week, in which new students will be inducted. This is usually the week prior to the University's enrolment week (e.g. two weeks before lectures begin). For the University's semester dates please see here.
The College begins each semester with an all Student and Staff day-retreat. This is an opportunity for all to get to know one another and spend time with God in a different environment.
Each year the Whitley Public Lecture tours the country. Bristol Baptist College and SWBC alternate hosting the event for each other and other interested visitors. Recent lectures have included:
- 2006 - Kate Coleman Being Human: A Black British Christian Human's Perspective
- 2007 - Sean Winter More Light and Truth? Biblical Interpretation in Covenantal Perspective
- 2008 - Craig Gardiner How Shall We Sing the Lord's Song? Worship in and out of the church
- 2009 - Sally Nelson A thousand crucifixions: The materialist subversion of the church?
- 2010 - David Southall The Poetic Paul: On Creating New Realities for Righteousness in Romans
The Edwin Stephen Griffiths public lectures are hosted by SWBC each year. Recent lectures have included:
- Year, Lecturer and Titles
- Year, Lecturer and Titles
- Year, Lecturer and Titles
Future Lectures will be advertised on our News page, and in the SWBC Newsletter
Students and Staff also undertake projects designed to build community through a common task, as well as benefiting local churches and organisations.
