Thanks for being part of my blog community and walking the journey of life with me. I really value you all and consider you a key part of my life!
Exciting news…. (drum roll!)
After a lot of thinking and praying over the past few years I’ve decided that I want to do some more studying. So I’m starting a PhD in Theology this January.
I love leading worship and still get as many booking requests as ever. So I could easily tour full time if I wanted to. Lots of other options were presented to me- like going on staff as the worship leader at several American megachurches in beautiful locations, which to most worship leaders sounds like the dream job. But I can’t escape God’s pull on my heart to return to study and invest in this academic part of my calling.
My record label have given me their blessing, as have all the other people who speak into my life. So I’ve decided to stay on the British side of the Pond and dig deep into some dusty old books :-)
I’ve looked at a lot of Universities and have chosen Durham.
Durham’s Theology department ranked No. 1 in the UK in recent years for its excellence in research, beating both Oxford and Cambridge
It ranks in the UK’s Top 3 Universities and has close links with Duke University in the States.
Harry Potter 1 & 2 were filmed in Durham cathedral – so it’s the literal site of Hogwarts! Check out this link to see the images of the cathedral in the movie.
Durham has a unique cutting edge research initiative called “CODEC” studying the interaction between the online world and Christian spirituality. So clearly that’s up my street! This area will be the focus of my studies.
Alongside my PhD studies I’ll be a ‘Research Fellow’ at Durham too, doing some teaching and research. One of the places I’ll be inputting into is Cranmer Hall, Durham’s training college for Church of England ordinands.
I would love your prayers as I make this exciting transition!
I’ll still be working with Spring Harvest and Compassion, writing songs, leading worship and blogging. But most my time will be spent in libraries writing papers, which I’m very much looking forward to!
Some people might think studying academic theology sounds boring - and at worst a waste of time. A few people have said to me “why study more?! Just get out there and live it!”. For me, growing in my understanding of God is a crucial part of following him.
When I study theology I am worshipping God with my mind and heart simultaneously. As my mind learns more about him, my heart is stirred to love him more. As someone once said ‘revelation leads to response’.
The way I most deeply experience revelation about God, is through studying theology. It’s different for everyone, but that’s a huge way that God speaks to me and it has inspired most of my song lyrics.
I’ll be blogging about this journey of returning to study, spending time in Durham and all that I’m learning. So watch this space for those posts in the new year.
Thanks for your support :-)
Over to you:
- What books have you read that have stirred your mind to worship God? Which would you recommend to others?
- Have you thought about enrolling in the occasional theology class somewhere? Is that an option for you now, or someday?
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