The Word of God
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At Ridley, our vision for ministerial formation centres on the transformative power of the Word of God, written and incarnate.
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Jesus called his disciples together so that they may share life with him and one another. The disciples lived with Jesus, learnt at his feet, served with him, ate with him, laughed with him, wept with him, went fishing with him, and grew in love and faith under his gracious leadership.

It is this desire for deep and life-giving immersion in the life of Christ that animates our incarnational vision for ordination training. We seek to go deeper into the Scriptures to be formed for ministry and mission that is anchored in the vivifying Word of God and passionately committed to making disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Heart and Mind
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At the heart of Ridley's holistic vision lies a profound commitment to the formation of the whole person for Christian discipleship and leadership. At Ridley, we form hearts and minds alike.

Preparing for ordained ministry cannot be reduced to a simple education of the intellect or a straightforward acquisition of practical skills, as important as they are. Rather, formation at its best embraces the whole person, as we grow in holiness and grace, wisdom and discernment, emotional and spiritual maturity, integrity and character, adaptability and resilience.

Tradition and Innovation

Since its foundation in 1881, Ridley Hall has been forming, equipping, and renewing Christian leaders in an ever-changing world. Combining tradition and innovation in ministerial training, we prepare you for service not just in the church of today, but also in the unknown church of tomorrow.

At Ridley, you will make creative connections between the theology you learn in the classroom and the experiences you have had and will have in local churches and the communities they serve. Facing an unknown future with hope takes a willingness to be surprised and an openness to new ways of proclaiming Christ.
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Intentional Community
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‍It is our conviction that formation for ministry is a lifelong journey that happens within the context of intentional community as we encourage one another to know, love, and serve the Lord. Together, we commit to the life of his church—its ministry, mission, and renewal. Whether on a residential, context-based, flexible or part-time training pathway, you are part of this rich community.

We are being formed in the image of Christ through deep encounters not only with Scripture and the riches of Christian tradition and worship, but also with one another. Being part of our intentional community fosters the deep habits and disciplines of study and prayer, hospitality and generosity, mercy and forgiveness, joy and love, holiness and righteousness.
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This intentional community, ultimately, does not exist for its own sake. We are a missional, outward-looking community, and we come here to leave—to be sent out with a deep formation in Christian discipleship and leadership so that we can serve, lead, and witness for the sake of the church and the world.
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Fellowship United in Christ
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‍Our community is a vibrant and diverse group of people from all walks of life. We come together to grow in the grace and knowledge of God, live in community and fellowship, worship together, pray together, study together, laugh together and weep together.

We do not shy away from our differences, but seek a deeper unity we find in Christ. We are committed to supporting one another, learning from each other in a spirit of love and generosity, and fostering an environment where we grow as disciples.
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When you join the community here at Ridley Hall you will find yourself training among people who will become lifelong friends. Together with an excellent teaching and tutorial team, these sisters and brothers in Christ will help you to discover more about the God who reveals himself to us in Jesus and more about the world, in which we have been called by Jesus to serve and witness .

Biblical Wisdom
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Our church and our world are athirst for biblical and theological depth. To meet these urgent demands of ministry, we need to be securely rooted in the wisdom of God and be equipped to pass it on to others. As part of ordination training at Ridley, you will experience our proud tradition of world-class academic excellence in teaching and scholarship, and an abiding commitment to hands-on, practical learning for ordained ministry. Formal prior study is not required—only a thirst for knowing and loving God deeply.

Academic study at Ridley centres on the worship of the Triune God in a community of fellow disciples. It revolves around the cultivation of a robust and all-encompassing biblical imagination and worldview for all of life and ministry. It pursues gracious cultural and missional engagement and encourages the practices of hospitality and service. It is underpinned by a generosity of spirit.‍

The interweaving of rigorous study with worship creates a rich fabric for the re-orientation of our entire lives to Christ. Our imagination—the fulcrum of our very being—is transformed and converted to see the world in a radically new way through a Christ-centred lens.

Lifelong Learning

People come to study with us with many gifts. We aim to build on these gifts, share them in relationship with others, and enrich people with new situations, challenges, and opportunities. We seek to rely on the Holy Spirit, who motivates us, leads us into God's truth, and gives us the courage to put that truth into practice.
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At Ridley Hall, our students spend time learning in the classroom and in small groups, independently and with others through focused reflection and active ministry. Much learning happens outside the classroom: in conversations over coffee and lunch, after morning Chapel, in each other's homes, and across a range of ministerial contexts. We will support you to become an independent and reflective learner equipped for a lifelong pursuit of wisdom as a servant of Christ.