Open Learning: Introduction to Pioneer Chaplaincy

Part Time – February-April

Overview of the course

• Practical skills in pioneering
• Community chaplaincy
• Receive mentoring from practicing chaplains
• Introduction to the theology and history of Chaplaincy

This short course includes a Residential weekend 27th February – 1st March 2026 at Highgate Conference Centre – and 7 weekly online sessions Tuesday evenings (3rd-24th March, 14-28th April)

12 places are available @ £500, with a 20% discount for first 6 to sign up
Course details: Contact Jacky (jacky.bone@lightcollege.ac.uk) with any questions, but use the contact form above to start your application.

More details

Like our one year course (in partnership with Third Space Ministries and validated by The University of Chester), this introduction has at its heart the taking of the Gospel into ‘unexpected places’: gyms, pubs, supermarkets, nightclubs etc. Chaplaincy is not new – there have long been chaplaincies in hospitals, schools and universities, for example, but this Introduction recognises the need to bring a Christian presence into new areas, often at the very frontline of mission, and sometimes in challenging contexts and situations where people might be surprised to find ‘chaplains’ (2am on a dancefloor!).

Entrance Requirements

There are no specific entrance requirements for this Introduction, which is designed to be highly accessible to people from a wide range of backgrounds (ages, abilities, church traditions etc).  Some of our most gifted students have little in the way of formal qualifications prior to embarking on the course, but thrive with the provision of generous pastoral and academic support from the college. As such, we would always encourage those who feel they don’t have relevant academic qualifications to explore studying with us further – the main thing we look for is a clear sense of vocation to share the Good News of Jesus and some particular call to learn more about or develop in pioneer chaplaincy.

The application process involves the submission of a short application form, a discussion with Jackie, followed by a short period of discernment by both the applicant and the college, after which an offer to join the course may be made.

Through February to April you will study on our Introduction to Pioneer Chaplaincy and Mission, which equips modern-day pioneers to share the Good News in fresh and creative ways, as well as to lead others in innovative approaches to mission and evangelism. The course is highly practical, and may involve a placement with active participation in a missional community, project  or ministry. It is intended to make studying evangelism as hands-on as possible, with all of our lecturers experienced practitioners of what they teach. The course can be accessed from anywhere in the UK as the learning happens through a vibrant blend of online input and a gathered weekend residential (with teaching, fellowship, worship, food and guest speakers).

If you’re interested in further study, we have a 1 year Professional Certificate in Pioneer Chaplaincy and Mission (Validated by Chester University) below as well as FdA and BA courses.

Professional Certificate in Pioneer Chaplaincy and Mission

Part Time – 1 year

Pioneer Chaplaincy Modules

• Discipleship – We begin with a focus on personal discipleship, looking at and developing our own spiritual lives of prayer and Bible study etc., and considering how this interacts with our lives of action as evangelists.
• Historical Approaches to Evangelism – This module explores how people over history have engaged in evangelism, mapping the growth of the church throughout history and pausing at particular movements including the Celts, the rise of the Evangelicals and finally Pentecostal and charismatic approaches to evangelism.
• Christianity, Culture and Communication – Here we examine how the Gospel is communicated in ways that are sensitive (and also potentially challenging) to our culture, with a particular practical focus on the Christmas message.
• Pioneer Chaplaincy Toolkit - Unique to this course; alongside the above modules, a chaplaincy tool kit will be developed over the year as we investigate different approaches to chaplaincy and diverse pioneering contexts.

Pioneer Chaplaincy Modules

Progression

After successful completion of the Pioneer Chaplaincy course students can progress onto the 2nd year of the part time FdA. studying 3 modules a year over the following 3 years.