Spurgeon's College

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Spurgeon's College is a Christian theological college in South Norwood Hill, Croydon, London.

History

It was founded by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, known as 'the Prince of Preachers' and in his time minister of the largest church in the world, the Metropolitan Tabernacle at Elephant and Castle. Spurgeon himself only ever taught one morning per week and left the running of the College to others.

Originally named The Pastors' College when it opened in 1856, it was renamed in honour of its founder, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, when it moved to its present building in 1923. C.H. Spurgeon's own lectures were published in several volumes as Lectures to my Students[1] Spurgeon's College is in membership with the Baptist Union of Great Britain.[2] For its 150th anniversary in 2006, the College had its history written by Dr Ian. M Randall.[3] The resulting book is called A School of the Prophets and is available from the College.

Academic outreach

Spurgeon's College has since its foundation aimed to give opportunities for training to persons with little academic background. In the 19th century different courses were offered depending on ability. Spurgeon himself said in 1871 that someone who needed help with English "should not muddle his head with Hebrew". To this day the College offers tailor-made packages to those who are called by God to train for Christian ministry. Biblical Greek and Hebrew are offered on several of its courses but are never compulsory.

College today

Spurgeon's College has as its basis of faith that of the Evangelical Alliance. Its Principal since 2000 is Rev. Dr Nigel G. Wright. The teaching staff (8 full-time, 3 part-time, over 20 associate tutors) includes persons from other denominations. Among the students is an increasing number from ethnic minorities, and the College is fully committed to equal opportunities. Despite the temptation to move out of London, the College decided to stay in order to serve the growing and increasingly diverse London churches. It delivers training for the Baptist ministry both in the UK and elsewhere. It also offers a suite of other courses including online learning, a part-time (Monday) Degree course, several Master's courses, a Doctorate of Ministry, and research for a PhD. Most of these degrees were until 2012 validated by the University of Wales. In 2008 the College was also accredited by the British Accreditation Council. In 2011 the College successfully underwent three external inspections. A week-long inspection by the ecumenical churches (Quality in Formation) declared the College 'fit for purpose' and the University of Wales judged that the preparation for research degrees (MPhil, PhD) meets the current standards. Finally, the quinquennial review by the University resulted in a very positive report.

In September 2012, the college announced that its degrees had received accreditation by the University of Manchester, a member of the Russell Group of British universities.[4]

Former Principals

  • Rev Dr Percy Evans
  • Rev Dr Frederick Cawley
  • Rev Dr George R. Beasley-Murray
  • Rev Dr Raymond Brown
  • Rev Dr Paul Beasley-Murray
  • Rev Michael Quicke DD
  • Rev Dr Nigel G Wright

Notable alumni

Notes

  1. ↑ C.H. Spurgeon, Lectures to my students: being addresses delivered to the students of the Pastor's College, Metropolitan Tabernacle. London: Passmore and Alabaster, 1875, 1882, 1907.
  2. ↑ Baptist Union Directory, 2007, p.27
  3. ↑ Randall, Ian M. A School of the Prophets: 150 Years of Spurgeon’s College. London: Spurgeon’s College, 2005.
  4. ↑ "Universiteit Manchester accrediteert Spurgeon’s College Londen" (in Dutch). Reformatorisch Dagblad. 6 September 2012. 

External links

Coordinates: 51°24′23″N 0°05′10″W / 51.4064°N 0.0862°W / 51.4064; -0.0862

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