A Dirty Word Graduation 2012 Celebrating 120 years Since the Founding of the Bible Training Institute

Autumn 2012

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From the Principal

120 not out

When my wife and I returned to Scotland just two years ago (as I took up my new role as Principal of ICC), we had a notion that we would like to find a church to be part of that had little or no connection with the college, where we could simply be ourselves. But we soon realised that this was a foolish idea, since it is almost impossible to find a church in the Glasgow area (and probably across many other parts of Scotland) that does not have a graduate or current student of BTI, GBC, NBC or ICC in it (many of whom are now in leadership in these churches). ICCs historical contribution to the church in Scotland is immense, and it is both a privilege and a daunting challenge to consider how we might continue to do so for the future. Over the last two years, we have been working on the development of new programmes, with a view to training people for the ministry and missional challenges of 21st century Scotland. These include a narrative of church decline alongside new initiatives and energies in church planting, a perceived loss of Christian social influence alongside a determination by churches to serve their local communities, and more direct intellectual attacks on the Christian faith alongside robust apologetic defences. With this in mind, we have designed a series of new postgraduate degree programmes for those who, like us, recognise that the social and cultural environment has changed in Scotland and want to respond accordingly. Our new

Master of Theology in Community Learning and Development was launched in August, with the first cohort of students coming together to grapple with ideas of service and social transformation in the name of Jesus Christ. Several other new programmes have recently been submitted to the University of Aberdeen for validation, all of which we hope to launch in August 2013. Our new Master of Theology in Scripture and Theology is a successor to our widely-appreciated MTh Biblical Interpretation degree, a new Master of Theology in Ministry Practice will provide the opportunity for those with significant ministry experience to reflect and improve on this as well as offering a wide array of elective courses, and our Master of Theology in Ministry in an Urban World programme has been re-designed to allow access to individual week-long intensive courses for those only able to take an occasional study week (all our other new MTh courses are similarly available). Fresh Expressions of church are being developed across the UK to reach those who would not otherwise darken the thresholds of our churches, and we also plan to launch our new Certificate in Pioneer Ministry next summer, designed specifically for those who are or who want to be involved in such ministries. Designed in consultation with denominations and church groups with this particular interest in mind, this part-time programme is intended to be accessible to those who only able to give one day a week to attend ICC while developing new Christian communities at the same time. ICCs historical investment in the mission of the church in Scotland (and worldwide) is recounted elsewhere in this issue of Insight. I wonder which of those reading this will become part of the next 120 years of training for ministry in Scotland and beyond?

The cover image shows the staff and students of the BTI in 1928-29, the Drumchapel mission team in 1970, and those leaving ICC in 2012.

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Graduation 2012

where we have come from and the lessons of those who have gone before us then we will end up like them to repeat the past is not necessarily a good thing. For the present he posed a question, asking whether graduates were the same people as they were when they started on this journey through ICC, ultimately considering whether they reflected more of the spirit of Jesus than they did when they first began their studies. Then as he considered the future, John shared something of a book he has been working on recently, The A-Z of Missional Leadership. There is no such thing as taking time out of Christian ministry, he said, who we are as Christian disciples infuses our entire being, and he highlighted three important characteristics of Christian leadership: A: Authenticity. One of the great needs of society in the present day is authenticity; the need for leaders who are honest, transparent and open. If people come into our circles and see behaviour that is no different than the world outside, then why should they want to be part of our community? B: Bible. The Bible is a powerful book, and power can always be used for good and for ill - we must read the Bible carefully and recognise that it deserves and demands careful exposition, indeed part of remembering our past involves us recognising the way the Bible has been used for justifying disempowerment and abuse of people. C: Community. Sometimes we have real problems creating communities that genuinely reflect the values Jesus talks about. Often in our churches we are talking to ourselves about ourselves and dont say anything to the world outside. Yet, while whats going on in the church often doesnt connect with people, talking about spiritual things does people are looking for a community that authentically worships God. John concluded his address by reminding the graduates to listen again to the voice of Jesus who calls us to sacrificial love and a commitment to be good news in our communities a commitment to be the good news and not just talk the good news to demonstrate it in concrete acts of service and radical hospitality this, he said, is his prayer for those who graduate to be instruments of authenticity, of Biblical understanding and teaching, grounded in reality; agents able to create community because they are willing to be part of that community.

Saturday 16 June saw students, staff, family members and friends gather at St Pauls Parish Church, Milngavie, for the colleges annual graduation ceremony. As well as members of the colleges Academic Staff team, Principal Richard Tiplady was joined on the platform by Professor William Naphy of the University of Aberdeen, Professor Noel Peacock, Chairman of ICCs Board of Directors, and Rev John Drane, who along with his wife Olive will be taking up the role of Chaplains at the college this year. Awards were conferred on students graduating with degrees in Theology, Youth & Community Work with Applied Theology, Theology with Childrens Ministry, Theology with Missional Leadership, Biblical Interpretation, and Ministry in an Urban World. We were also delighted that another ICC student, Colin Edwards, was awarded his Doctorate.

The A-B-C of Missional Leadership

The address to the Graduates was given by John Drane who, after congratulating the graduates on their achievements, commented on the support offered to students by college staff as well as the commitment offered by family and friends graduation truly celebrated a collective achievement.

listen again to the voice of Jesus who calls us to sacrificial love and a commitment to be good news in our communities a commitment to be the good news and not just talk the good news to demonstrate it in concrete acts of service and radical hospitality
Colleges are places of learning, he said, and he hoped that the graduates were leaving ICC having learned a number of things regarding the past, present and future. Quoting former Harvard Professor George Santayana who said those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it, John hoped students were graduating with some sense of the history of the Christian faith commenting that if we dont remember

From BTI to where?

Rose Dowsett, member of the Board of Directors, considers the impact of graduates of the Bible Training Institute on Global Mission

Where did they go? Under God, what did they do? The story that answers these questions is exciting, humbling, and faith-nourishing. The Bible Training Institute (BTI) was only ever one tiny strand in Gods global story, and it would be wrong to claim otherwise. But tiny does not mean insignificant. God uses weak and small enterprises in amazing ways to further His purposes of grace. BTI was born at a time when, for good and ill, the British Empire was at its height, and British Christians had a strong awareness of the wider world. Coupled with a deep belief that the gospel was for all people everywhere these children of the Empire, both men and women, gone to China, 32 to India, 32 to Africa, 105 to the Colonies (i.e. South Africa, Australia, etc), 10 to South America, 30 to a variety of other places, and 350 to home ministry (i.e. within Britain). In addition, more than 8,000 in that part of Australia. Another BTI man who went to Queensland was Jock Sloan. A former boxer, he sometimes had to use those unconventional skills as he worked among the tough men of the outback! In more than thirty years of ministry, he covered over a million miles, wore out five motor cycles and nine motor cars - and left a legacy of hundreds of people who had come to trust in the Lord Jesus. Joseph Kemp was another early student. After two other Baptist pastorates, he arrived at Charlotte Chapel, Edinburgh, in 1902. In thirteen years he saw the congregation grow from 35 to around 1,800. He went on to have an international ministry, finally establishing the New Zealand Bible Training Institute in Auckland in 1922, which, as Laidlaw College, remains a sister college to ICC today. China was a frequent destination for graduates. John Young, a teenage tailor from Strathaven, went on to join the China Inland Mission, and was martyred in the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. A few years later, a young Canadian woman surgeon, Jessie McDonald, came to BTI and then went on to China, serving from 1913 till all

The earliest students were almost all from humble backgrounds shop assistants, stonemasons, stable hands, travelling salesmen, and housemaids, for example and before the turn of the 20th Century many had gone to Africa, China, India, Australia, Europe, and of course all over Scotland, and indeed the British Isles. They pioneered, taking the gospel where it had never been before, becoming evangelists, pastors, lady church workers, teachers, medical workers, and much more.
were tumbling over themselves to take the good news of the Lord Jesus all over the world. Right from the start, the imperative of mission, within Scotland and far beyond, was an essential part of BTIs DNA. The earliest students were almost all from humble backgrounds shop assistants, stonemasons, stable hands, travelling salesmen, and housemaids, for example and before the turn of the 20th Century many had gone to Africa, China, India, Australia, Europe, and of course all over Scotland, and indeed the British Isles. They pioneered, taking the gospel where it had never been before, becoming evangelists, pastors, lady church workers, teachers, medical people had joined evening or extension classes, and taken their training into their homes, workplaces and local churches. Amongst the very first students was Hugh Paton from West Kilbride. He had been a butcher in his fathers shop before attending the fledgling BTI. He went on to serve first with the Southern Moroccan Mission, and then later went to Queensland, one among many BTI men and women who established the church

Coupled with a deep belief that the gospel was for all people everywhere these children of the Empire, both men and women, were tumbling over themselves to take the good news of the Lord Jesus all over the world.
workers, and much more. They started schools and churches and hospitals, and even some Bible Colleges. By 1907, 66 graduates had

Reunion of BTI graduates in Shanghai, 1900

the missionaries had to leave in 1952. This remarkable woman was almost certainly the very first woman surgeon in China, and during her time there established womens hospitals, ran mens hospitals, and set up clinics, some of which survive to the present day.

mission somehow kept on coming, and BTIs training was respected all over the world. Indeed, many places where there are strong national churches today owe some of their roots, under God, to BTI men and women. Other BTI graduates, up to the present day, have gone on to lead

Two World Wars, the rise of Communism, first in Russia and then China, the Great Depression, and many other challenges to the world church, may sometimes have made it hard for students to enroll or to go where they might once have gone, but those with a heart for world mission somehow kept on coming, and BTIs training was respected all over the world.
This pattern continued down through the decades. Two World Wars, the rise of Communism, first in Russia and then China, the Great Depression, and many other challenges to the world church, may sometimes have made it hard for students to enroll or to go where they might once have gone, but those with a heart for world international mission agencies, or pastor UK churches, or care for orphans or serve the poorest of the worlds poor. This legacy is evident in the vision of ICC today, as graduates continue to be trained for mission and ministry in a challenging world.

In February 1874, supported by the interdenominational United Evangelistic Committee (later renamed the Glasgow United Evangelistic Association (GUEA)), American evangelist Dwight L Moody began his first mission in Glasgow. At the end of Moody's third Glasgow campaign, in 1892, the Bible Training Institute was founded. Born from Moodys desire to see a base in Glasgow for evangelisation and training, similar to that which he had founded in the USA, this vision was shared by leading Christians in the city, notably J. Campbell White (later Lord Overtoun) and his late sister, Mrs Margaret Somerville, who had left a large sum of money earmarked for such a work. At the AGM of the GUEA on 10th March 1892 Moody proposed a Bible Institute to train men and women to reach people untouched by those trained in the denominational colleges, and so the BTI was born. At its outset, the BTI had two specific aims, firstly the training of Christian workers who were carefully selected for the task and who were resident in the Institute during their training in order to be approved for Christian mission work; and secondly, the running of classes which would be accessible not only to residents of the institute, but also to anyone from the Christian community who wanted to come to them. Evening classes begin at the Christian Institute in the autumn of 1892, then in January 1893 the fulltime Bible Training Institute residential college opened with just twelve students, all men, in hired premises in Blythswood Square. The Institute moved to purpose-built premises in Bothwell Street 1898.

Some of the international students in 1938

Rose Dowsett is collating stories of former students (not just of the BTI, but of our other preceding colleges) with the aim of producing a book that reflects on the impact of graduates on the world church. If you have stories to tell as a former student, or family archives of a former student, wed love to hear from you. You can contact ICC (college@ icc.ac.uk), or Rose Dowsett directly (dickandrosedowsett@googlemail. com). Wed love to hear from you! There is so much more to be told, and for it all we give God the glory.

Soon after its founding women students entered the BTI, and almost from its beginning the Institute had non-British students, 84 by 1919, rising to 283, from well over 30 countries in the1938 session. As well as training women and men for mission, the BTI encouraged students to be involved in ministry as much as possible, with connections to many local Glasgow churches, outreach projects and ameliorative schemes. The numerous graduates of the BTI were (and are) found all over the world, as well as in the United Kingdom, and their impact on the global church has been significant.

A Dirty Word
Why do some Christians consider theology to be a dirty word, wonders Vice-Principal David Miller

When youre involved in theological education, its a bit disconcerting to hear the person sitting next to you in a prayer meeting pray Lord, forgive us for preaching theology. This was my experience recently, and it left me puzzling over what lay behind that prayer. What is it in many peoples understanding of theology that makes them regard it as a dirty word, at worst, something harmful to proper preaching and to Christian life and ministry in general, or at best as something irrelevant, or something like the terms and conditions we say we agree to when buying something online without actually reading them? In other words, we know these terms and conditions are there and are in some way important, but we trust the company who produced them and anyway, well probably never need to refer to them, so why bother looking at them? Reflecting on this, I think there are a number of reasons why theology has come to be regarded by many, though thankfully by no means all, Christians as a bit of a dirty word. One reason is that those who have studied theology in an academic setting pick up the technical language of the subject, but forget that they also need to be able to express these profound truths in ways that fellow Christians, who havent had the privilege of time to explore things in depth, can grasp. Peppering your conversation with words such as eschatology and Heilsgeshichte

to be that complicated they want nothing to do with it. Im happy with my simple faith. This might be okay if the world we live in wasnt so complex. Good theology, well taught and well shared, is absolutely crucial in helping Christians to mature and to cope with the challenges of living for Christ in todays society.

Christian living. We shouldnt think of it as some kind of hobby. The fact is that whether we like it or not all Christians do theology. In other words, we all talk about God and have some kind of understanding about who He is and how we connect with Him. We all have some kind of concept of what it means for God to have become man in Jesus, and about the significance of His death

We all use words to try to explain something of the experience we have of knowing God. When we do this, or when we pray, or when we worship, or when we try to talk with our friends about our faith, we are doing theology. The question is, are we doing it well or badly.
I suspect that another reason why there is a suspicion of theology even among church leaders is that many of them during their own training were exposed to the kind of teaching which seemed to be aimed at undermining faith rather than building it up. Conservative views of Scripture were ridiculed, and to adhere to traditional orthodoxy was to be regarded as narrowminded and old-fashioned. Among those who experienced this approach it is little wonder that theological training came to be seen as an uncomfortable hoop to have to jump through to allow them to get on with proper ministry. And if church leaders have this negative attitude towards it, small wonder then that it is passed on to those within their congregations. on the cross and of His resurrection. We all use words to try to explain something of the experience we have of knowing God. When we do this, or when we pray, or when we worship, or when we try to talk with our friends about our faith, we are doing theology. The question is, are we doing it well or badly. To put it another way, are we deepening in our understanding of the truth of God, or are we constructing a distorted image of Him? I cant claim to know what God made of the prayer that the person prayed. I suspect that since He knew it came from the sincere heart of a person deeply committed to people having the chance to hear and respond to the claims of Christ rather than seeing that message lost in a fog of words He was pleased and honoured it. And there is no doubt that those of us involved in theological education need to face the challenges implicit in his prayer. However, I would have loved it if instead the person had prayed , Lord, save us from bad theology. Help us to teach and share your truths in ways that connect with people and enable them to grow in their faith and in their knowledge of you, and in their passion for your Kingdom. Thats how I pray for myself in my role in teaching theology here, and its how we as a staff would like you to pray for us.

Good theology, well taught and well shared, is absolutely crucial in helping Christians to mature and to cope with the challenges of living for Christ in todays society.
or cluttering up sermons with phrases such as Barths Church Dogmatics enlighten us here or Well, I know it says this in the English translation, but what the Greek really means is isnt necessarily an indication of theological know-how. Instead it often serves to exclude others rather than help nurture their faith. In reaction to that, people develop a suspicion that if theology really has Thirdly, it may be that there is a feeling that theology is something that some Christians grow into, but that its not for everyone, and that it may sometimes even serve to dull a passion for the Gospel. However, all of this is to misunderstand what theology is and how important it is for

Bringing the Living Jesus into a Dying World

Student Council President Jordan Smith considers what it means for his generation to know the Jesus who transforms lives

In a somewhat polarised view, my post modern generation has been branded in as iconoclastic, drunken, debauched and sexually promiscuous; a generation for whom the Bible and the Jesus it talks about has little relevance. In many ways that view is correct, many of my peers view the Bible as an archaic, mythological fantasy written by desert nomads which has no relevance to them and is the select reading for tea drinking grannies and boring Christian stereotypes that wear socks with their sandals. The majority view Jesus as a lily white, tall, handsome man with long flowing mahogany hair, looking more like a Swedish model than a first century Palestinian Jew. Some view Him as a good guy, a moral teacher, others say he had children with Mary Magdalene as found in The Da Vinci Code, and still others deny his existence at all. My passion and challenge is to show that Jesus and his teachings are

opportunity to be found in our post-modern communities. There is an unprecedented interest in spiritual things and search for spiritual meaning in life today. From Reiki to Ouija boards and yoga, to a quick look at the horoscopes in the Metro newspaper on the way to work, people are searching for

of Jesus brings us into a new and distinct community with a unique hope for the future. This hope, coupled with our study of theology, in my view should radically transform the way we live. My time at ICC has been, and continues to be, a time where I set the foundations to build upon for the

My generation is searching, as has every generation before us, for the deepest spiritual fulfilment; a desire that only God can satisfy. To me this is a wonderfully exciting opportunity.
spiritual fulfilment, for meaning and purpose. It brings to mind Solomons words in Ecclesiastes 3:11 God has set eternity in the hearts of man. My generation is searching, as has every generation before us, for the deepest spiritual fulfilment; a desire that only God can satisfy. To me this is a wonderfully exciting opportunity. rest of my journey as a follower of Jesus. Studying theology cannot only be an academic exercise it needs to be lived out to show a living Jesus to a dying world, if my faith is only cerebral and academic it is utterly useless. The challenge of studying theology today is to remain relevant, yet distinct and to actively live out what is learned. For my generation, we have to be prepared to take a stand for what we believe, but be open to exciting and new opportunities that can offer healing, restoration and reconciliation into our lives, families and communities today.

The challenge is to remain relevant but distinct at the same time, we cannot just offer what secular society would do in a pseudo-Christian guise - the resurrection of Jesus brings us into a new and distinct community with a unique hope for the future. This hope, coupled with our study of theology, in my view should radically transform the way we live.
relevant and transformational in the 21st century, that He can bring restoration, reconciliation and resurrection power into individual lives, families, communities and nations. It is very easy to become discouraged with the state of the Church today, the debates and divisions taking place concerning sexuality, the general decline in Church numbers, and a growing secularisation of society as a whole which is marginalising the Church. It is hard to argue with this discouraging picture of the Western church, however there is, in my opinion, a tremendous In Johns Gospel Jesus tells his followers that he has come to bring life in all its fullness, to give his followers wells of living water, his followers are promised that they will never thirst or hunger again. These promises are as relevant today as they were in first century Palestine. Today people are trying to fill their innate desire for deep fulfilment with a huge variety of activities that may provide some satisfaction, yet are ultimately unfulfilling. It is Christs promise of life in all its fullness I want to communicate to my generation. The challenge is to remain relevant but distinct at the same time, we cannot just offer what secular society would do in a pseudo-Christian guise - the resurrection

Jordan Smith is in level 3 of the BA Theology programme. Before coming to ICC he spent a year at GLOs Tilsley College in Motherwell, this gave him a real desire to learn more, which brought him to ICC. He is involved in his Local Church (Bellevue Chapel in Edinburgh), where he runs a discussion group for 20s and upwards and also preaches in other churches. A keen sports fan, Jordan enjoys rugby, is a Jambo (supporter of Heart of Midlothian Football club) and also plays football, on the bench, for the church team.

Preserving Our Past

College archives offer an insight into the social history of Glasgow writes Librarian Anna Forrest.
Annan

As a college that has grown out of many preceding organisations and institutions, the ICC archives, housed mainly in the Grogan Library, provide a wealth of materials illuminating not just the Christian history of the city of Glasgow (and further afield), but its wider social history. Cataloguing and organising this vast collection of archive material is an ongoing task. Apart from the papers and documents attached to the history of the Bible Training Institute, we also hold papers, artefacts and photograph associated with the Glasgow United Evangelistic Association (GUEA). We have many enquiries for family connections, biographies of illustrious GUEA members and their achievements and more recently for the many amelioration societies attached and administered under the aegis of this worthy association.

good and great works. One of ICCs recent graduates, Paul Ede, now connected with the Grove Christian Centre in Possilpark, has been investigating the history of the well-known Grove Institute, or Ragged School, and has uncovered a wealth of social history in the Grove Institute Scrapbook .

The Archives offer many insights into Glasgows social history over a century and a half of good and great works.
A committee formed in 1874 in the aftermath of the D.L. Moody revival created the GUEA, its purpose Uniting the churches in evangelistic work among the masses was very forwardthinking. Apart from the evangelistic services and open-air preaching encouraged by the original committees, we find listings and documents pertaining to the many evangelistic associations working hard in a hard-working city. This kind of commitment to working in the city is still reflected in the college today with our focus on Urban theology and training for Urban ministry. These organisations included the Young Mens Christian Association and also the Young Mens Christian Club. There was the famous Tent Hall in the Saltmarket area of the city, Bethany Hall in the east end, Mizpah Hall near Central Station and the Bonar Mission to the Jews. Respite measures included the Weary Workers Rest at Dunoon and the Cripple (sic) Childrens League of Kindness. GUEA committees organised the Sabbath Morning Free Breakfast where a hall was opened and regularly fed 15,000 souls from 8 oclock in the morning. Then at 2 oclock in the afternoon over 1,000 children gathered for a bible lesson and dinner. Part of the archive includes a small

offerings box, shaped like a loaf of bread, for the Tent Hall Breakfasts. Poor Childrens Four-Day Refuges were set up for children in the worst state of neglect, where three meals a day and warm clothing were provided. This measure soon developed into the Homes for Destitute Children at Saltcoats in Ayrshire. The GUEA also had twelve Poor Childrens Fresh Air Fortnight Homes where over 8,000 children could experience fresh country or seaside air for two weeks. A recent Archive enquiry from the United States cited several children who had been in one of the GUEA Childrens Homes in Saltcoats and were shipped out to Canada on one of the Home Children passages. There are several requests of this type which generate much research into the practice of sending thousands

A Ragged School in Cowcaddens in Glasgow came into existence in 1856 founded by J. Wakefield MacGill who was working in this notorious slum area. Later in life this man would work with Dr. Barnardo and orphans in London. The famous Grove opened halls in 1865 and became known as the Grove Street Home Mission Institute and existed as an outreach to local men, women and children who worked in the foundries, mills and distilleries in the area. It was also known as a non-sectarian Christian outreach with a significant programme of

Apart from the evangelistic services and open-air preaching encouraged by the original committees, we find listings and documents pertaining to the many evangelistic associations working hard in a hard-working city. This kind of commitment to working in the city is still reflected in the college today with our focus on Urban theology and training for Urban ministry.
of abandoned or neglected children to Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The Archives offer many insights into Glasgows social history over a century and a half of medical outreach when there was little provision of such services for the poor in Glasgow. The scrapbook is fascinating with pasted entries and articles such as the notice of the visit of William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army in 1890. It is now in a fragile state but, thanks to Pauls work, has been digitally preserved for the future. This reflects just some of what can be learned from our archive materials, and our ongoing responsibility lies in discovering, recording and preserving this resource for the theologians and social historians of the future.

Staff Changes

work through ICC: Please keep supporting International Christian College in prayer because that makes a difference, she says, International Christian College can have a useful role to play in the increase of Gods kingdom but the staff and students need your prayerful support. The challenge she faces now is taking her faith into a non-Christian environment (having worked for Christian organisations for some 20 years). Her wisdom, her wit, and her godliness will be much missed in the college. The role of Admissions Officer has been taken up by Alison Nicolson, who currently acts as our Disability Support Officer and Distance Learning Administrator. She will continue with these roles alongside that of Admissions Officer. We are pleased to welcome Stuart Weir on to the staff team taking up the newly formed post of Distance Learning Co-ordinator. Stuart is a graduate of ICC, who has recently completed a PhD with the University of Edinburgh looking at a theology of work. Stuart has been tutoring the Pneumatology module for both the Distance Learning and Church of Scotland Lay-Readership Programmes since 2005.

with work elsewhere gives Stuart an insight into the experiences of many of those who study by distance learning, often people who work during the day and study in the evenings or at the weekend. Distance learning allows many who are involved in a whole range of ministries, elders, session clerk, Sunday school teachers, and so on, to develop their knowledge and deepen their faith while remaining in their workplace. Stuart is looking forward to his new role, Being able to begin to shape a course that genuinely helps many ordinary people, I am eager to extend to those who can only study by distance a formative course in Christian theology, he says, Im also looking forward to meeting all associated with distance learning at the college, and relish the opportunity to work with and for them. Its also quite nice that Im the first official person in this role, although there are several unsung heroes who have kept this course running behind the scenes for many years who should be mentioned: Alison Nicolson, Howel Jones, Graeme McMeekin, alongside the many tutors of this course.

During the summer there have been a number of changes to the staff team, both academic and administrative. After almost 10 years at the college, firstly as Academic Registrar and then as Admissions Officer, Becky Short left the staff in September to take up a post in student support at the faculty of law at the University of Edinburgh. Many students and graduates know Becky as the first point of contact as they apply to study at the college and during her time on staff she has interviews many hundreds of applicants. Indeed, this is one of the aspects of her job that she will miss the most, hearing applicants stories of how they found out

hearing applicants stories of how they found out about God gave me a bigger vision of who God is and how He works
about God gave me a bigger vision of who God is and how He works says Becky, and in hearing these stories Becky has learnt that God is much bigger than she thought which in turn has increased her own level of faith. For those who worked with Becky, both staff and student alike, the gentleness and the strength of her faith is one of her many strengths, coupled with her desire to seek God in prayer in every circumstance. As she moves on from the college Becky reminds us to continually seek God in prayer for His His role at ICC is a part-time one, and as well as co-ordinating the Distance Learning programme, Stuart is currently ministering as a Manager at Student Loans Company. Having the opportunity to develop the distance learning programme at the college, coupled

We also welcome Paul Ede as a volunteer who will work alongside Wes White on the development of Neopolis, the Scottish Centre for Theology and Ministry in an Urban World. Paul is a graduate from the BA Theology programme at the college, and went on to successfully complete our Master of Theology in Ministry in an Urban World programme. Paul leads Clay Community church in Possilpark in Glasgow, and we are delighted that he is willing to offer some of his time and urban experience on behalf of this new venture for ICC.

Being able to begin to shape a course that genuinely helps many ordinary people, I am eager to extend to those who can only study by distance a formative course in Christian theology

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Get Involved

Our vision for those students who choose to study at ICC is to equip and provide them with all of the skills and knowledge they require to serve in ministry and reach individuals and communities throughout the world. Falls in student fee income caused by the recession, growth of competitors in Scotland and stricter visa regulations for international students as well as reduced donation income has led to deficit budgets. The colleges financial future is unsustainable without significant turn-around and we URGENTLY NEED your support to help us maintain and develop our work.

Did you know that ICC receives no financial support from the government, relying solely on the income generated by student fees, office and accommodation rents, and donations from people like you in order to operate?

HOW CAN YOU HELP?? There are plenty of ways that you can help us:
Become a Friend of ICC by completing the form opposite Give a one-off donation via the opposite page Fundraise by participating in or encouraging others to participate in a challenge event Shop Online with Give As You Live Hold a special collection or coffee morning at your church Promote ICCs events at your church by adding them to regular Intimation sheets Place ICCs flyers on church notice boards Volunteer at the college Invite us to your church to raise awareness on the great work we do Leave a gift to ICC in your will

GET ACTIVE! Looking for something worthwhile to do with your spare time? You could fundraise for ICC by participating in outdoor events like a Ben Nevis Challenge or a West Highland Way walk. Or you can take part in a 10k Fun Run, Marathon, or even parachute out of a plane! For information on events contact Samantha at sam@charitytrek.co.uk

FRIENDS OF ICC Just as we seek to support the building of Gods Kingdom through the training we offer, so we also need the support of the Christian community to help us maintain and develop our ministry. Partnership is about mutual support and by becoming a Friend of ICC, you will become a part of the community that is helping our ministry grow. So become a friend of ICC today! We aim to recruit 50 new friends over the next year. Since June, we have recruited 5 new friends so we need your help to reach our goal of 50 new friends to help us continue training Christian workers. You can become a friend by committing to give as little as 5 per month. To show our appreciation of your support of the ICC community, you will
Receive a regular letter from our leadership Receive a discount to attend interest level classes and certain college events- look for our Friends rate Receive regular news from the college with both the latest news as well as prayer needs Receive special invitations to key college events Please complete the form on the opposite page and send it to ICC its as easy as that!

Shop online? Raise money for ICC with every purchase- at no extra cost to you! All you have to do is register and download the Give as You Live App online, choose to support ICC, and shop online as usual! Its as simple as that! Give as You Live has over 2,150 retailer partners in the UK including Tesco, ASDA, Lovefilm, ITunes, Amazon, and more. These partners will donate a percentage of the label cost some up to 8%! to ICC without costing you a penny more than your usual shop! Give as You Live also gives you great and unique offers from these leading brands to help raise funds for ICC. Supported ICC before via online shopping? This new method is even easier! Sign up at www.giveasyoulive.com

GIVE AS YOU LIVE

We would like to express our heartfelt THANKS to all those individuals, churches, organisations, Trusts and Foundations that have helped us raise money or donated their time, prayer, enthusiasm, passion and expertise for us to succeed in our vital work all over the world.

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I want to invest in the future of the church

Title: Address: ___________ Forename: ____________________________

By supporting the training of Christians for ministry in the 21st century

Surname: _______________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Postcode: _______________________________________________ Tel: _______________________________________________ (Evening)

Tel: (Day) E-mail:

____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ per month / year (delete as appropriate)

I would like to give a regular contribution of:

I want to become a Friend of ICC by contributing at least 5 per month (60 per year) Please complete the following Standing Order instruction for making a regular contribution to ICC (Please contact Lawrence Renn if you would like to give regularly by another means)
To: ________________________________________ Bank Name of Account: Account Number: Sort Code:

Address: ____________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

Please pay Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) for the credit of International Christian College (Account No: 40400101, Sort Code: 83 91 46)

The sum of:

On the same date of every month / quarter / year: (delete as appropriate) Date:_______________________________________________ Until further notice

(Please tick only one of the following boxes) This is a new standing order This replaces my existing standing order This is in addition to an existing standing order Signature I would like to make a one-off donation of: Date

I enclose a cheque/ charity voucher (made payable to International Christian College) I have made a contribution through the ICC website: www.icc.ac.uk (under the Help ICC section)
If you pay UK income tax or capital gains tax, the government will refund to ICC the tax you have already paid on any gifts you have made to us in the last six years.

Declaration
As a UK tax-payer I want ICC to treat, as Gift Aid, all donations I have made in the last 6 years and all donations I make from the date of the declaration until I notify you otherwise.

Signature

Date

NB: Donors must pay an amount of income or capital gains tax at least equal to the tax that we reclaim on your donations in any tax year.

Thank you very much for your gift, we are grateful for any donation no matter how large or small. If you do not require an acknowledgement letter, please tick this box Please return the completed & signed form to Lawrence Renn, Bursar, International Christian College, 110 St James Road, Glasgow, G4 0PS

Enquirers Day
Thursday 25 October 2012
The Enquirers Day is an opportunity to find out what its like to be a student at International Christian College. Sit in on lectures, join our daily worship, meet graduates, and learn more about the benefits of studying at the college.
Worship is from 9:15am
Then there are a choice of lectures to join...

Experience what its like to be a student at International Christian College

Morning: Children, Family and Society The Reformation Old Testament Theology Community Research and Development Over lunch meet staff, students and graduates.

Afternoon: God in Christian Understanding Informal Education and Applied Theology

To join the Enquirers Day you must book a place, indicating which lecture(s) you plan to attend and whether you will come for lunch.
0141 552 4040 | college@icc.ac.uk | www.icc.ac.uk

AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WRITERS MICHAEL FROST & ALAN HIRSCH TO CONSIDER THE SHAPING OF THE CHURCH IN SCOTLAND 10:00AM 4:00PM 5TH DECEMBER INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE, GLASGOW 7TH DECEMBER STEEPLE CHURCH, DUNDEE 11TH DECEMBER COMMUNITY CHURCH EDINBURGH 25 INCLUDING LUNCH AND REFRESHMENTS WEDNESDAY 12TH DECEMBER COMMUNITY CHURCH EDINBURGH, 7.30 PM A FREE EVENT, OPEN TO ALL, TO END THE TOUR Visit www.icc.ac.uk to book your place