Bishop's Certificate

The Bishop’s Certificate course consists of:

a) the Following Jesus Course and

b) Developing Discipleship modules.

You need to complete both a) and b) to be awarded the Bishop’s Certificate.
But you don’t have to commit yourself to the whole thing at once.

The Following Jesus course is a one year ‘foundation course’ of 26 sessions and delivered in groups in the parish or deanery. You need 180 points for the Bishop’s Certificate. The Following Jesus course is worth 90 points. The other 90 points come from Developing Discipleship modules. (You can take 4 years to complete the modules.) These are normally worth between 10-30 points depending on length.

a) Following Jesus

Following Jesus is a foundation course for Christians who want to grow in faith and discipleship. However, some enquirers might also find this interesting.

During the course we hope you will grow in your understanding of Jesus Christ as:
•    the source of our knowledge of God
•    the key to the Scriptures
•    the foundation of the Church’s life
•    the light who gives life to the world

By the end of the course we hope you will have:
•    a clearer overview of the Bible, both Old Testament and New Testament
•    a deeper knowledge of the key themes of Scripture
•    a fuller appreciation of the rich variety of Christian experience
    and expression
•    more awareness of sharing in the life of the Church, gathered in worship and sent out in service
•    a deeper understanding of the ways (such as prayer and the sacraments) in which God strengthens Christians in their discipleship
•    more confidence to live out faith in daily life and to share it with others
•    a clearer recognition that all Christians are called to share in Christ’s mission to the world
•    a greater ability to discern the particular gifts (in yourself and others) by which God equips Christians to fulfil this calling

Each session of Following Jesus will include the elements listed below, though not necessarily in this order. The time allocated to each element is likely to vary from week to week and a variety of methods will be used.
•    some preparatory reading (largely from Scripture) and/or reflection on experience
•    a presentation of the theme of the session
•    sharing of your experience and/or your preparatory work in relation to the theme
•    guided Bible study with questions and discussion

•    the chance to reflect on the implications of the theme for discipleship – drawing on the Bible study but also on insights from Christian tradition, aspects of the liturgy, the Church year and so on
•    worship

The sessions are designed to relate to the Church’s year, so that, for example, the incarnation is explored near Christmas, death and resurrection near Easter, and gifts and mission near Pentecost.

Cost:

The cost of the Following Jesus course is £48 (3 x £16.00 or £45.00 total if paid in full on registration) and there are no extras such as textbooks.

The Developing Discipleship modules will vary in price. Some may require a textbook.

b) Developing Discipleship – learning for adult Christians
You will be able to choose from a variety of modules of different lengths and styles.   You are encouraged to choose prayerfully and with a sense of the ways in which God may be calling you in your particular circumstances. Ideally you will discuss this with your parish priest. You will be asked to keep a reflective journal while doing Developing Discipleship modules.

The modules will be varied in terms of:

1.    Different ways of learning

You could choose, for example, from
•    modules of (say 8-10 weeks) on the pattern either of Following Jesus or the former Bishop’s Certificate course
•    a weekend conference where you do some intensive learning
•    going on a pilgrimage (e.g. a diocesan pilgrimage to Walsingham or Turkey) with some preparatory work before and some reflective work after.
•    courses run by others, e.g. What every Youth Worker needs to Know (led by the Children and Youth team)

2. Subjects to choose from
There will be a variety of options covering a wide range of subject areas. Examples might include:
Biblical books or themes, spirituality and prayer, Christian doctrine, stewardship, vocation and ministry, leading home groups, church history, faith in the workplace, pardon and peace etc.

Some subjects may be available only occasionally. Others (particularly on key topics such as Scripture and prayer) will be offered annually in easily accessible centres around the diocese.

3. Level
Modules will be offered from foundation level through to university standard. Some modules might, in due course, be a step towards a university qualification.

So…
The Certificate is about helping you to grow in confidence in your discipleship. There will be a variety of types of learning. There will be no text books in the Following Jesus foundation course and you won’t be asked to write essays.

In many of the Developing Discipleship modules there will be no text book or essays. In others, there might be text books and essays and the chance to look at topics at a deeper level. The content and method of learning for each module will be clearly outlined so you can choose the ones that best meet your needs.

If you are interested in participating in Following Jesus or Developing Discipleship courses contact Wendy Greenan at:

Diocesan Church House,
211 New Church Road,
Hove, East Sussex BN3 4 ED.
Telephone: (01273) 425693