The Reformation was a ‘double-barrelled’ movement, contended Michael Reeves as he launched ‘Union’ at All Souls Church, Langham Place on May 22.
Union is an exciting new venture from WEST (Wales Evangelical School of Theology), which aims to deliver one barrel of the Reformation that is currently lacking.
As Michael explained, the two barrels of the Reformation were a reformation of both the ‘content’ and ‘access’ to theology. People are very familiar with the idea that the Reformation changed people’s grasp of the content of the gospel. However few know that Calvin, Luther and Cranmer devoted themselves to making theological education accessible to as many as possible.
Puritan muscle
Evangelicalism today has accepted the reformation of the content of theology, but at a point when more and more people want to get trained for ministry we have lost sight of the second barrel of the Reformation: making theology accessible to many people. As Michael contended, ‘When the Puritans were barred from education, the muscle of their gospel ministry died within a generation. Today the numbers wanting theological education is increasing; while those getting it is decreasing’.
Crippling costs
One theological educator responded: ‘I can confirm that the analysis lying behind the launch of Union is accurate. The financial costs of full-time residential training are crippling; especially when university costs and career uncertainty are factored in. The personal cost of moving across the country for a few years of study can be too much for students with duties to care for parents or children in school. Many students find these barriers increase annually. The end result is that many are effectively barred from theological training and far fewer ministers are trained than we need. Theological education is cloistered as it was in Luther’s day’.
WEST continues to be committed to residential training, but alongside that Union offers a new approach. The first stage is an impressive online library of free, high-quality theological articles and resources. From September 2015, students will be able to start studying at Union for accredited courses in theology. Supervisors will be located around the country, and teaching materials will be delivered via the excellent Union online system. Students will be in church-centred clusters around the country – able to support and encourage each other.
WEST and Michael Reeves have found unusual synergy in their shared vision to bring theological education to many more people. God willing Union will be the second barrel of the Reformation we so desperately need.
