Mattersey Hall
| Type | Bible college |
|---|---|
| Religion | Christian |
| Location |
Mattersey Nottinghamshire DN10 5HD England Coordinates: 53°23′41″N 0°57′48″W / 53.39472°N 0.96337°W |
| Website |
www |
Mattersey Hall is a Christian College with a vision to form the next generation of Christian leaders. Mattersey Hall is the main training centre for the Assemblies of God in Great Britain, located in Mattersey, near Doncaster, in Nottinghamshire, England. It is also the home of the National Ministry Centre of British Assemblies of God.
At BA level there is a choice of two degrees: Biblical Studies & Theology; or Christian Leadership. Masters, Doctor of Ministry and PhD courses are also available. The college also offers distance learning and part-time degree courses. The Graduate School at Mattersey Hall has grown to over one hundred enrolled students, it offers three Master's programs, the Doctor of Ministry degree and supervision for PhD candidates. This makes the Graduate School at Mattersey Hall one of the largest of its kind in Europe.
The college Principal is Dr Glenn Balfour, who has previously served at the college as both lecturer, Director of Studies, and vice-principal.
Programmes
Mattersey Hall offers a variety of programmes, from short courses through to PhD level graduate studies. The university validated programmes are all validated through the college's agreement with the University of Chester.
Undergraduate programmes
Mattersey Hall offers two undergraduate programmes – a BA (Hons) degree in Biblical Studies and Theology), and a BA (Hons) degree in Christian Leadership. Each of these undergraduate degrees last three years, full-time (studying 120 credits worth of modules each year). For those who already have a Bachelors degree in a non-theological discipline, and who would like to pursue theological study, and maybe go on to take a Masters degree, it also offers a fully validated one year full-time Graduate Diploma in Theological Studies. All three programmes may also be studied part-time and are available in two delivery formats, either onsite or as a distance learning programme.
The BA programmes are designated with the Student Loans Company so eligible students can receive funding for their course choice. Both of the degrees are also available as Distance Learning programmes.
Postgraduate programmes
Mattersey offers several postgraduate programmes. There are three Masters degree programmes.
The MA in Practical Theology offers a wide range of modules – including biblical studies, studies in Pentecostal history and theology, and studies focusing on mission. It is particularly suitable for those who want to add to and develop their knowledge and skills in practical areas of theology, whilst also giving the opportunity for more academic study.
The MA in Biblical Studies gives students the opportunity to engage with Old and New Testament texts, and issues of biblical interpretation. It will appeal to those who want to add to and to develop their exegetical, hermeneutical and theological skills; and provides an ideal introduction to advanced biblical studies for those hoping to go on to doctoral studies.
The MA in Missional Leadership (MAML) is a professional qualification for contemporary Christian Leaders. It deals with issues such as mentoring, personal development, organisational growth, advanced leadership skills, change management, and related issues. This programme is designed particularly to provide continuing professional development for those already involved in Christian Leadership.
The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) is a doctoral-level professional qualification and will appeal to those who are already in Christian Ministry and who want to do serious research into a ministry- related issue. The DMin is made up of a combination of taught modules, and a 50,000-word dissertation in the student’s chosen area of research – which will be defended in an oral examination (or ‘viva’).
There is also the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. These degrees are examined entirely by dissertation and oral examination (‘viva’); there is no taught component. The MPhil dissertation has a maximum length of 60,000 words and is expected to be a critical, in-depth study of an appropriate research topic, using appropriate methodologies, which makes a contribution to knowledge. The PhD dissertation has a maximum length of 100,000 words. It, too, should make an independent and original contribution to knowledge, and be of publishable quality.
History
The history of Mattersey Hall Christian College can trace its roots to 1909, when the newly formed Pentecostal Missionary Union, started the first European Pentecostal Bible School in Paddington, London. At this School, male students were trained for overseas missionary work and in the following year, a Bible School for the training of women missionaries was started by the P.M.U. in Hackney. The Men’s Training Home relocated to Preston in 1910, where notable students during this time include George Jeffreys, the founder of Elim (UK) and William F. P. Burton, co-founder of the Congo Evangelistic Mission. After the First World War, the Men's Home School relocated to Hampstead Heath, where it remained under the leadership of Howard Carter for almost thirty years and in 1950, relocated again to Kenley in Surrey, where it became the official Bible College of British Assemblies of God in 1951. Notable Principals during its Kenley days include Pentecostal pioneers, Donald Gee and John Carter. In the Summer of 1973 the Assemblies of God moved the College to its current location in Mattersey, North Nottinghamshire, an ex-preparatory school for boys.
Missions trips
Each year the staff and faculty take out teams to various nations within Europe. Nations to be visited in 2015 include the UK, Romania, Czech Republic, Iceland, Albania and Spain.
Donald Gee Centre
The College’s main Research Centre has around 15,000 books with the Centre subscribed to many of the main journals and magazines that students need access to.
The College is also home to the Donald Gee or Heritage Centre, which is one of Europe's primary resources for the study of Pentecostal and Charismatic history and theology and therefore a major focus for international research into these areas. As well as holding these resources, the Donald Gee Centre also hosts the annual Donald Gee Lecture at Mattersey Hall in mid-September. This is a research seminar for those interested in the field of Pentecostal research and history.