Apologetics Apprenticeship

STUDY | EVANGELISM | SERVICE

In a secular culture, which dismisses Christianity as a harmful deceit and seeks to marginalise its influence, a careful and reasoned response is essential.

To address this, Christian Heritage runs a 10 month apprenticeship programme in apologetic evangelism. It provides training in all the main apologetic issues, as well as practical experience in outreach in the context of helping with the work of Christian Heritage in the Round Church. Within our community, it is a time of study, discussion, prayer, practical work and includes being involved in the life of local churches, and making use of all the resources that Cambridge has to offer. It should particularly interest people just out of university who are considering their future, possibly in ministry or any who want to be culturally engaged.

1109 First Year Long Interns

“The internship has already made a tremendous impact on me, both intellectually and personally. The tutors are excellent guides in my study and research, and the community of Cambridge offers a vast array of artistic, academic, and historical resources.” Jon Thompson

THE PROGRAMME

The programme consists of a course of reading, seminars, on-line research, lectures and visits, making full use of Cambridge’s many Christian and secular resources. The city hosts a number of excellent Christian ministries such as Tyndale House, The Jubilee Centre and KLICE. There are also major university lecture series and public lectures throughout term-time as well as world-class museums, galleries and concerts. It assumes 2-3 days study a week. During the other 3-4 days, apprentices will have the opportunity to be involved in local Christian Unions, serve Christian Heritage in practical ways, and get involved in a local church and in local ministries, wherever they can be helpful. Working for one day a week is recommended as a way to help meet the costs. The scheme builds on the success of the 2011-2012 Apprenticeships and our Summer Internship Scheme which ran for seven years.

Apprentice Tutors

At Christian Heritage, time is set a side for spiritual/intellectual and personal counsel for the development of the apprentices to becoming more fully rounded as persons as well as for group study, seminars and discussions. Here we introduce the main seminar leaders and tutors.

081103Ranald

Ranald Macaulay

Ranald was born in South Africa from Scottish grandparents. He read Law at Cambridge University and there that he met Francis and Edith Schaeffer. As a result he interrupted his theological training and joined them in the work of L'Abri in Switzerland. He also married Susan, their second daughter! Returning to the UK, Ranald completed a second degree in Theology at London University and they together founded a presbyterian church in Ealing, London.

In 1971, they were asked to start an English branch of L'Abri where they stayed for 13 years, and where Susan wrote 'For The Children's Sake'. After a further period in Switzerland, a sabbatical in Cambridge turned, unexpectedly, to a 'retirement' in this famous university city. In 2001 Ranald became responsible for the Round Church built in 1130 and Christian Heritage was formed.

Ian Cooper
Ian studied History at Cambridge and African Studies at Edinburgh. After a radically secular interlude he refound a more considered Christian faith at L'Abri Fellowship, where he was on the staff for 6 years. This led to helping in the work of Christian Heritage, where he is currently tutor. Ian enjoys country walking, looking round historic cities and reading.

Ian coordinates and teaches the Apologetics Seminars.

Illman30

David Illman
David was raised in California and attended Covenant College, where he studied English and History. David received a Masters of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary and went on to serve as Chaplain for a Christian school while teaching Gospels, Apologetics and Ethics for secondary education. He also served as a part-time professor at Birmingham Theological Seminary in the subjects of New Testament and Apologetics. David is married to his lovely wife, Sarah and they have two children.

David directs the apprenticeship programme and spends many hours debating and discussing with apprentices. He also teaches the Biblical and Theological Framework Seminars.

We have a number of excellent speakers and seminar leaders. In 2011-12 these include: Andrew Carter, Dr Denis Alexander, Dr Adrienne Chaplin, Dr Peter Williams, Paul Gardner, Dr Josh Hordern

What will you study?

Apologetics Seminar

The course has been provisionally structured to consist of 10 sections of 3 weeks, with a last section of 5 weeks to produce an extended essay on a topic of individual choice:

The Christian Mind and Apologetics
The Secular Challenge
Worldviews
The Truth of the Bible
Individual and Social Transformation
Science, Faith and Origins
Suffering and Evil
Evangelism
Christianity and Culture
Extended Essay

These topics will be covered by:

undertaking course reading (with core and tailored reading) [2 days]
participating in weekly seminars and weekly discussion groups
making the most of Cambridge’s diverse cultural resources – lectures, concerts and exhibitions in the context of developing a Christian mind

Biblical and Theological Framework Seminar

The Kingdom Process
Beginning Trajectory - Gen. 1-11
Covenants and Ecclesiology
Wisdom and Worldview
Major Prophets
Minor Prophets
Gospels - 4 Biographies of Unity
Acts to Revelation in Two Words
Hebrews as the Renewed Leviticus
Revelation

These topics will be covered by:

Bible reading pertaining to topic
participating in weekly seminars and weekly discussion groups with David Illman
How to read and lead a passage

Weekly Programme

The programme is divided into three parts: the course, serving Christian Heritage and outreach.

The Course & Personal Study: [2-3 days]

studying as a group, as individuals and a bi-weekly tutorial, as outlined above [2-3 days]
visiting English L’Abri at the start of the apprenticeship [2 weeks at start]
attending Christian Persuaders training (with UCCF)
attending a Christian Heritage Summer School in either theology or apologetics towards the end of apprenticeship in July [1 week]
visiting a local mosque, Roman Catholic church, Buddhist temple and other places of worship
exploring various church social initiatives such as Cambridge's pregnancy crisis centre, homelessness work

Serving Christian Heritage: [1-2 days]

helping put on events and courses (see Life in the Round & Saturday School pages)
engaging with the many visitors to the Round Church and manning the church
writing for the website and newsletters, see these archives
helping with general administration
attending as participant and helping run the summer schools eg filming/editing recordings
helping with guided walks
running the library and bookstall

Local Church Involvement, Relationship Building and Evangelism [1 day]

attending a local church & getting involved in church life
joining a student society
taking up opportunities for regular discussions with non-Christians
working alongside Christian students in evangelistic ministries in Cambridge

Working [1 day] [UK/EU only]

the finances section (below) allows for apprentices to spend one day a week in paid employment to off-set their costs and meet local people

Day off [1 day]

At the moment, interns have each Monday off

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Practical details

Where possible apprentices should seek to secure funding through their sending institution or church. Where necessary, apprentices should feel free to find paid work for 8 hrs per week to help support themselves.

Costs for 2012-2013

Accommodation and living costs are met by apprentices. We are looking into various possibilities that may allow the interns to share a large house between them. We expect the cost for a UK apprentice to be £7,000 max for the duration of the apprenticeship. Those coming from the EU will have extra travel costs. Those coming from outside the EU will not be able to work, and will have insurance, travel costs, communication costs and visa costs to consider.

Accommodation inc. rent and bills: Up to £4000 a year
Food & living costs: £50/week, Up to £2000 a year
Health & travel: £50/month, Up to £500 a year
Possible sources of income for apprentices: One day a week paid work per apprentice, Support from friends, church and sending institution.

Provisional Dates for 2012/13

Autumn Term 2012

Wednesday 12th September to Friday 14th December 2012
including two weeks at L'Abri

Spring Term 2013

Monday 7th January to Thursday 28th March 2013*
including New Word Alive

Summer Term 2013

Monday 14th April* to Friday 25th July 2013
including one Summer School

*New Word Alive dates are not yet announced, and may affect Easter holiday timings

Candidates

The scheme will be most suitable for those who have recently graduated, or are just graduating. We are sorry but the scheme is not suitable for those planning to go to university the following year (gap year students). We expect to take 4-6 apprentices each year.

Suitable candidates should be:

Committed Christians who agree with the Christian Heritage Basis of Faith
Interested in ideas and apologetics
Able to get on well with a range of people
Motivated
Initiators
Team players
Adaptable
Good communicators
Fluent English speakers
Willing learners
Able to offer Christian Heritage skills in an area of communication eg writing, film-making.

Notes

Christian Heritage has a basis of faith similar to that of the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF) to which apprentices need to subscribe.
Christian Heritage will take guidance from any sending institution but will in the end make the final decision as to who should participate.
Until 2011, Christian Heritage ran a successful Summer Internship scheme, the Apologetics Apprenticeship will replace this scheme.

Questions or comments are welcome and should be sent to David Illman, Director of Apprentices, Christian Heritage +44 1223 311602, or david

christianheritage.org.uk

For more information on Christian Heritage see the rest of this website.

APPLICATIONS for 2012/13

Deadline for applications April 15th 2012

Applications before this deadline will be considered.

Please send applications to david

christianheritage.org.uk

Please read all the information above and then provide the following information. This can be written in an email.
Explain why you are interested in this apprenticeship and how you see the Christian Heritage apprenticeship fitting into your own Christian life.
A brief reflection on your university studies.
An outline of how you became a Christian, and some information about what being a Christian has been like for you recently.
Attach a Curriculum Vitae being sure to include educational background, work experience, interpersonal and technical skills, names and contact details (including email addresses) of two referees, including your pastor, as well as your hobbies and interests.
Whether you agree with the Christian Heritage Basis of Faith or if you have questions concerning it.

David Illman, 27/01/2012

See also: