Centre for the Study of Rural Ministry (CSRM)

A Partnership between the Arthur Rank Centre and the University of Wales, Bangor and St. Deiniol’s Residential Library.

Director: Rev‛d Canon Jeremy Martineau OBE
Course Leader: Rev‛d Professor Leslie Francis

The centre offers opportunity for the following qualifications:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Rural Ministry
• Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Ministry
• MTh in Rural Ministry
• MMin in Rural Ministry

At each level a number of modules will be assessed on an assignment of 7,500 words which should include three components:

• review of existing empirical evidence
• generation of new empirical evidence
• theological reflection

The course uses empirical theology as its main learning method, which involves students conducting guided research into topics agreed between student and staff. As a guide, past topics have included:

1. Measure & contrast the spiritual development of primary children in church and state schools
2. Assess the Christian motivation among customers at Farmers‛ Markets in Cheshire
3. Assess the attitude to church buildings among the wider community
4. Investigate different belief patterns between Anglican and Methodist clergy
5. Investigate and compare the attitude to the countryside among rural and urban congregations
6. Assess the visitor experience at the shrine at Pennant Melangell
7. Investigate the attitude to death and the churchyard in one rural parish
8. Assess the contribution of a primary school to the life of the whole community
9. Investigate the place of rural churches in the village appraisals in one county

The Course is delivered at St. Deiniol‛s Residential Library, Hawarden near Chester.

Students come from any part of the Christian tradition, lay or ordained. You will be required to attend three overnight residential tutorial sessions each academic year.

Course fees are currently £1003 p.a.

Enquiries should, in the first instance, be to the Rev‛d Canon Jeremy Martineau
Either e-mail here or phone 01348-874-886