Welcome to the Lighthouse Course

'You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.'
Matthew 5:14-16

The aim of Lighthouse is to train people at All Saints for ministry and mission in the Church, and to help prepare them in both Christian understanding and service for their work anywhere in the wider church.

We will take a maximum of forty people from those who apply. The course will last the best part of eight months, and will be divided into three terms. The first term will include helping to recruit for and run an Alpha Course.

Lighthouse will have a threefold aim:

• To go deeper into the Bible and its teaching, particularly Paul’s classic   statement of the Christian faith in his epistle to the Romans.

• To equip each member for service by developing their gifts.

• To endeavour to give practical experience by taking part in short term mission.

The teaching on the course will be done mainly by Patrick Whitworth, other members of the staff and church will be drawn in at different stages. Outside speakers will occasionally be used. We will try to arrange one weekend away together, probably in the spring term and each week home work will be set to be handed in and discussed in your group the following week.

Lighthouse men and women
What sort of people do we expect to see at Lighthouse?
Well, all sorts! All ages, both sexes, ethnic backgrounds, but especially we want to train people to lead and be involved in different areas of the Church’s ministry.
Typically, we expect people to apply who want to be trained in Christian ministry; and to be either taking a break from what they usually have done in church life or people in their student years or twenties who wish to lay a foundation for future Christian ministry.

The Wednesday Night Programme

7.30pm   Supper together
8.00pm   Worship & Talk
9.00pm   Discussion in groups with homework
10.00pm Finish


The Year’s Programme

Term 1
THE GOSPEL MESSAGE
Week 1 - Week 15

Week 1  - The Kingdom of God
Week 2  - Explaining the Message - Training for Alpha
Week 3  - 6.00 pm start – On the Street/Inviting
Week 4  - Alpha Supper
Week 5  - Is there a God?
Week 6  - Who is Jesus?
Week 7  - Why did Jesus die?
Week 8  - How do I become a Christian?
Week 9  - HALF-TERM
Week 10 - Becoming sure of my Faith
Week 11 - Who is the Holy Spirit?
Week 12 - Why read the Bible?
Week 13 - How do I pray?
Week 14 - What about the Church?
Week 15 - Alpha/End of Term Supper

Week 16 - Day Away 10.00 am – 3.30 pm

Term 2
Romans: THE GOSPEL EXPLAINED
Week 17 - Week 27

Week 17 - Getting to know you Romans 1:1-17
Week 18 - A Bleak Picture Romans 1:18-3:19
Week 19 - The Way Out Romans 3:21-31
Week 20 - Promise and Faith Romans
Week 21 - The Benefits of Faith Romans 5
Week 22 - HALF-TERM
Week 23 - Internal Revolution Romans 6 & 7
Week 24 - 27 - Thursday Seminars* (4 sessions)

 * Choose one possible seminar topic
• How to Pastor People: Principles of Pastoral Care
• How to Disciple and Mentor Individuals: One to One
• How to Lead a Small Group
• How to Discover your Gifts (The Kaleo Course)


Term 3
THE GOSPEL COMMUNITY
Week 28 - Week 39

Week 28 - Life in the Spirit Romans 8
Week 29 - The Question of the Jews Romans 9-11
Week 30 - Living in the Kingdom Romans 12:1-21
Week 31 - Living in the United Kingdom Romans 13:1-8
Week 32 - Living in Hope Romans 13:8-14
Week 33 - Living in Peace & Harmony Romans 14-15:23
Week 34 - HALF-TERM
Week 35 - Final Greetings Romans 15:23-16:27
Week 36 - Week 39 - Seminars* (4 sessions)

*Choose one possible seminar topic
• How to give a short Bible Teaching talk or Evangelistic talk
• Private Spiritual Workouts Vital for Public Ministry
• How to begin in Prayer Ministry
• How to work with Young People

Weekend Away: There will be one weekend away together. Each member of the course will be expected to attend. Dates to be announced.

Missions: We will try to provide some way in which members of Lighthouse can be involved in a parish mission. These missions, which will come up towards the end of the course, will provide an opportunity to practise some of the things that we have learnt together.

Commissioning: At the end of Lighthouse each member who has completed the course will be commissioned during the evening service on Sunday. There will be an opportunity to discuss with their course leader an area of ministry into which they would commit themselves for one year at All Saints or elsewhere. This will mean that the training in Lighthouse will lead directly into some specific service in the near future.

Application Details

For whom? Lighthouse is for those, as explained earlier, who are or want to be involved in some area of the Church’s ministry and who seriously intend coming to each term, the weekend away and taking part, if possible, in a short mission. Commissioning is for those who have completed the entire course with a maximum of 2 evenings off.

How much? Each term’s course will cost £15 (£10 for those in full time higher education). This would include course material and the gradual build-up of a course library. There will be a small additional charge of £2 for supper each Wednesday, paid on the night. In addition, there will be 1 book to buy each term which will form part of a Christian book club in your discussion group.

Where? We will meet in the All Saints Centre most Wednesdays: although some of the seminars may be held in different locations.

When? This year the course begins in September and goes on until July. God willing, for the next 3 years we will begin courses in September.

Only 40 people unfortunately, we would love to take more but it is best to be small. However, please don't be put off by this, rather prayerfully consider the commitment involved and let us have your application card (see adjoining page).
If it is over-subscribed this year your application may be deferred until next time.

“There can be no doubt that the Lighthouse is the greatest boon
ever to be bestowed on sailors”.