Our strapline as a college is equipping leaders for a changing church and a changing world. When we settled on those words, I’m not sure any of us realised how prophetic they were. In our country and in our churches, we seem to be living in a particularly significant time of change. Our calling as a college is to respond with faith and adventure, holding onto God and stepping out into the future.  How has this worked out in the life of NBC over the past year? What are some of the things we’ve been doing?

Reaffirming our commitment to pursue justice for all. In a country that is slowly waking up to the extent of structural injustice, we have been trying to up our game. To that end we have appointed two new staff members to help us.  Ruth Wilde is our tutor for the inclusion of disabled people and Dawn Savidge our tutor for the inclusion of LGBT people. We give thanks to God for all that they have already brought to the life of NBC.

One of our established tutors, Jonathan Tallon, has also played his part seeking to be a voice in the public square through the publication of his book, Affirmative: Why You Can Say Yes to the Bible and Yes to People Who Are LGBTQI+. This contribution to ongoing conversations about sexuality has been well received.

Supporting students moving into innovative forms of ministry. Sue Whalley, our second profoundly deaf student, graduated last summer. We were delighted to see her become the first person ever to preach a sermon in British Sign Language in St Paul’s cathedral.  We continue to support Sue as she tries to find an appropriate long-term pattern for what we believe could become a significant ministry.

Another of last year’s leavers responding to a call to a new form of ministry is Tracy Green who serves as community chaplain in Beverley, Yorkshire working with Beverley Baptist Church alongside her ongoing career as nurse.

Offering learning online. It has been good to work in partnership with Regent’s Park College, Cardiff Baptist College and the International Baptist Seminary to pilot a new programme for local leaders on behalf of Baptists Together. Look out for more to come. We have also continued to develop our own online learning resource, edifi, ably led by another new member of staff, Margaret Gibbs.  edifi offers one off, free events and longer courses for all involved in leadership.

Preparing students for more established forms of ministry.  Familiar forms of church are still a major part of our Baptist life. Rachel Street, one of our Newly Accredited Ministers pastors Millom Baptist Church in the Cumbrian town where she used to serve as the community pharmacist; there is a lot to be said for continuity as well as innovation. One of our current ministers in training, Joey Redhead, drew inspiration from his ministry as Pastor of Alvechurch in Worcestershire for this rap-cum-meditation, part of an advent series from members of the NBC community produced by The Fuelcast.

For some the word ‘college’ still conjures up images of quiet quads and dusty libraries. And, yes, this is part of the picture as learners seek to stretch their minds and nourish their souls. But ministering today also means being fleet of foot as we follow a saviour who is for ever dancing towards new horizons. We don’t try to teach our students everything they will ever need to know - instead we seek to help them become lifelong learners ready for the faithful adventure of ministry in God’s ever-changing world.