Purpose of a hub.
A Theology Network hub is a place for you to actively pursue the desire to see yourself and your theology department transformed by the gospel. These hubs are CU-based, student-led groups in which theology students like you are supported, equipped, and mobilised to study faithfully as followers of Christ and bear witness to Him in their departments.
- Supported through the challenges of studying theology.
- Equipped to integrate academic theology and gospel-centred faith.
- Mobilised to witness to the gospel in the academy and to their coursemates.
Let this shape the way you run your hub and remember to communicate it regularly to the group.
Leading well.
Leading a hub, like all Christian leadership, is about serving others well. It is less about what you can do and more about who you are. The standard is active growth, not perfection. (The characteristics described in the article on ‘handover’ on the website are worth reflecting on throughout your time leading a hub: https://theologynetwork.uk/leading-a-hub/handover)
You do not need to be an expert in any area of theology or administration to lead a hub, but there are some practical commitments that you make.
You commit to:
- Signing your assent to UCCF’s Doctrinal Basis.
- Organising your hub to meet at least once a month during term.
- Putting on one evangelistic event each term (this could be as simple as getting your group to invite non-Christians to one of your hub meetings).
- Sending the Theology Network Co-ordinator prayer points for the hub each term.
- Attending the termly hub leader training sessions (September, January, and April).
Support for you.
You are not alone in leading your hub. We also make some practical commitments to support and equip you as you lead your Theology Network hub. We commit to:
- Praying regularly for you and your hub.
- A call or in-person meeting at least once during term time (from the Theology Network Co-ordinator or your TN Associate Staff Worker).
- At least one in-person visit across the year (though more may be possible).
- Running a training session at the start of each term for hub leaders.
Resources:
From Theology Network:
Monthly email https://mailchi.mp/75ef35a87930/sign-up-for-theology-network-emails | Regular updates and exclusive content from Theology Network
‘Leading a Hub’ https://theologynetwork.uk/leading-a-hub | Articles to help you think through different aspects of organising and running a hub. Including:
- Planning your programme for the year
- Welcome week
- Handover
‘Discuss’ https://theologynetwork.uk/discuss | Ready-to go studies and group discussions.
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We recommend:
Themelios, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/ | A free online evangelical theological journal filled with articles and book reviews on a huge range of topics.
Tyndale Bulletin, https://tyndalebulletin.org | A peer-reviewed academic journal for biblical scholarship and related disciplines from Tyndale House, Cambridge. Free to access online.
Text and Canon Institute, https://textandcanon.org | A research centre based out of Phoenix Seminary focussed on the history of the bible.