Diploma in Expository Preaching (part-time)

The Faith Mission Bible College is in a unique position to encourage and train up those involved in a Bible teaching and preaching ministry.

Our conviction is, in the words of John Stott, that “Preaching is indispensable to Christianity. Without preaching a necessary part of its authenticity has been lost.”  However, with Michael Green, we are concerned that “the standard of preaching in the modern world is deplorable.”

The principles that lie behind expository preaching are the basic framework around which all Bible study and preparation for any form of Bible teaching should be done, whether in the more formal setting of a church Sunday service, or in small groups, or a Sunday school class.

With the encouragement of a number of local churches we offer support and training in this most vital of ministry disciplines. Those teaching the course will be men with considerable experience in pastoral and preaching ministries and who are passionate about encouraging dynamic expository preaching.

Structure
This part-time course will occupy one day a week (currently a Tuesday) during normal academic term time (approximately 25 weeks) and last for two years. It will overlap with and supplement the present Diploma in Theology course with an additional two sessions in the afternoon of one day a week.

The cost of the DipEP is £1200 per year, and includes lunch and refreshments.

Curriculum
There will be five components in 2012-14:

1. Bible Interpretation - the Doctrine of Scripture; How the Bible came to us and Principles of Biblical Interpretation.
2. Bible Overview - an overview of the panorama of the Bible, showing where and how the biblical books fit in and also giving a bird’s eye view of the books not covered in more detailed exegesis elsewhere in the course.
3. Theology - covering the main doctrines of the Christian faith and providing the vital theological context for expository preaching.
4. Expository Preaching – the biblical basis for preaching based on some critical word studies; the process of sermon construction; sermon clinics.
5. The Spiritual Life of the Preacher- the mouth speaks out of the overflow of the heart, therefore the transforming impact of grace and truth on the preacher’s life is an essential prerequisite for Holy Spirit empowered preaching.

Practical
A key feature of the course is the ‘apprenticeship’ factor in which students will be formally assigned either to their home church or to one designated by the College where, with the full agreement and partnership of the Minister, they would be mentored and encouraged. There will be ongoing communication between the Church and College as to the student’s progress.

Application Procedure