The Church of England

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The Church of England

"Ridley Hall is one of the great institutions of the Church of England." The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams

Ridley Hall is an Anglican theological college in the open-evangelical tradition. As a worshipping and learning community we understand ourselves to be a wonderful resource and a gift to the whole Church.

While those who come to us as ordinands are training for ordained ministry in the Church of England, a large number of our lay ministry and flexible study students and those seeking refreshment are from many other Christian denominations.

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Anglican beliefs and values

Our established relationship with the Church of England means that we share the beliefs and values of this part of God’s Church.

As a theological college with an Anglican foundation we believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe that the full purpose of our lives is found in praising God, who has revealed himself to us in Jesus and who dwells among us in the person of the Holy Spirit.

We believe that the Christian life is shaped around loving God and loving our neighbour. We believe that Christians are called to work and pray for the coming of God’s kingdom.

Accountability

Students seeking ordination in the Church of England may only attend a theological college that is formally recognised by the House of Bishops. A condition of recognition is a Periodic External Review, which is carried out every five years by the Ministry Division of the Church of England. Ridley Hall is one of the theological colleges that enjoys formal recognition by the House of Bishops.

All those who choose to study with us can have confidence that, guided by the recommendations of regular external and internal reviews, the College is always striving to be faithful and effective in our teaching, in the shaping of our prayer and worship and in attention to our common life.

Students worshipping in the chapel