New Direction for Regional Anglican Studies Programme

The Diocese is entering into a new direction for the provision of its regional theological studies programme next year by promoting study through Bishopdale College in Nelson. 

The regional Anglican studies programme started in our Diocese in 2013 in a partnership with St John’s Theological College and was created to enable everyday followers of Jesus to learn together as a community of disciples. Up until now we have exclusively promoted St John’s College’s Flexilearn courses as a pathway for students to learn while still working and ministering.

Our Diocesan kaupapa from the start has been that of learning and processing together as a community, and that what students learn enhances their disciple making ministry in whatever way God has called them to ministry in their local community. 

This year Bishop Justin Duckworth and Archdeacon for Mission and Ministry Gendy Thomson have been in contact with Bishopdale College in Nelson – our other Anglican tertiary theological provider. They have been impressed with what they have learnt of their way of supporting students in a discipling and highly supportive way; and their style of teaching that continues to link theology to practice with a focus on learning together. In 2024 we will be experimenting with Bishopdale the best way to continue community, discipling theological study and clarifying funding and cross-crediting options. 

Students have a choice of either continuing to study through St John’s or enrolling with Bishopdale. 

Over the past two years Rev Heidi Nayak has held the role of Regional Anglican Studies Programme Assistant. Heidi will be finishing this role at the end of January, at which time she will be spending more time ministering her local parish as Priest Assistant at Tawa Anglicans.

Gendy says that while the Diocese will no longer be employing a programme assistant after January, Bishopdale has demonstrated that they offer excellent student support. Bishopdale also partners with Laidlaw College, giving students access to over 200 papers offered by Laidlaw. Those continuing with St John’s Flexilearn will have their student support people available also.

Further information on both programmes can be found at the links below: 

For St Johns link for Flexilearn click here   (Scroll to bottom of page to find 2024 info) 

For information on Bishopdale click here or for course information click here (Reading the Bible is the evening online course)