Theological refreshment for pastors

Pastors often lament the difficulty of maintaining theological study amid the demands of ministry. Time for reading is exhausted by preparation for preaching and teaching and is sometimes lost entirely because of urgent pastoral problems. The biblical languages quickly rust. The excited freshness provided by initial theological training fades. For some, such training was never even possible, leaving them living with a permanent sense of catching up. Rather than growing theologically and ministering from a rich theological hinterland, pastors can feel that they are in danger of running on empty.

The John Owen Centre, part of London Theological Seminary, aims to help pastors with the challenge of maintaining and progressing theological study in the midst of ministry. It was set up in 1999 by the Board of LTS to offer opportunities for pastors to continue their theological studies alongside their ministry. While the Centre offers study that is serious and unembarrassed about being stretching, the aim is not academic study as an end in itself. We believe that ongoing study will enrich the ministry of pastors among their people, thereby glorifying the Lord Jesus through the maturing of his church.

The Centre currently runs four main activities all serving this same end: a ThM degree from Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia taken over two years; an annual Conference; self-contained Study Days, and Study Breaks. This spread of activities is designed to ensure that every pastor can find something accessible given his particular circumstances. Please click on the buttons to the left for further details.

The best way to be kept up to date on the activities of the JOC is to sign up on the mailing list, which you can do by sending an email to johnowen@ltslondon.org.