The Hilliard-Jones “Builders and Bridgers” Doctoral Cohort Travel to England
Written by Dr. Christopher Michael Jones
Editor’s note: The Immersion Program at United provides unique opportunities for students to encounter other cultures and religions, including diverse expressions of Christianity in the US and abroad. A cross-cultural immersion trip is required for Master of Divinity students as part of the Contextual Theology curriculum, and many Doctor of Ministry focus groups also offer an immersion experience. Learn more about the Immersion Program: united.edu/contextual-theology-and-immersion-program.
During the Fall 2024 semester, the Hilliard-Jones doctoral cohort traveled to the United Kingdom to engage in rigorous study at Wesley’s Chapel and Christ Church, University of Oxford. Led by esteemed faculty mentors Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr., and Dr. Christopher Michael Jones, the “Builders and Bridgers: Transformational Approaches to Pastoral Leadership, Prophetic Preaching, and Spiritual Formation” doctoral focus group studies how the practice of ancient Christian spiritual disciplines can shape the contemporary pastor’s approach to daring discipleship, leading transformationally, and preaching prophetically in their respective context. One of the unique designs of this specific doctoral cohort is its offering of access to dynamic practitioners and innovative thought-leaders who currently serve with distinction across the globe. For the week of October 13-18, 2024, the Builders and Bridgers doctoral cohort’s travel abroad afforded the privilege of studying with The Reverend Canon Dr. Jennifer Smith, Superintendent Minister of Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission, and Dr. Anthony G. Reddie, Professor of Black Theology at the University of Oxford and Director of the Oxford Centre for Religion and Culture at Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford.
United Theological Seminary’s Builders and Bridgers doctoral cohort traveled to Wesley’s Chapel to examine a number of manuscript notebooks and transcriptions John Wesley filled during his years as a college student and active fellow at Lincoln College-University of Oxford. Some of Wesley’s pastoral writings were inspired from letters he received, books he did not own, or a collection of short extracts from various sources written on the topic of prayer and the psalms. The abbreviated content contained in Wesley’s manuscript notebooks provided the content for what would become Wesley’s first published work: A Collection of Forms of Prayer for Every Day in the Week. This published volume, still used by the Methodist Church today, drew upon Wesley’s structure of daily morning and evening prayers which were organized around distinct Christian virtues. Most importantly, Wesley’s commitment to the practice of daily prayer undergirded Wesley’s disciplined approach to scripture reading, preaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation. This “method” of discipleship, devotion, and organizational leadership gave birth to a spiritual movement which served as the underpinnings to Methodism as we know it today.
The Builders and Bridgers cohort also traveled to Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford to engage in theological reflection with Dr. Anthony G. Reddie. A Professor of Black Theology, Dr. Reddie led a discussion on “Black Theology from a British Perspective,” speaking to the challenges associated with deconstructing colonial theology in the broader context of the monarchy. Dr. Reddie offered transformative reflections on how the pastor and ministry practitioner currently serving the church today can engage in new forms of transformative constructive theology rooted in cultural authenticity and empowered by the witness of the Resurrection. Dr. Reddie invited the Builders and Bridgers doctoral cohort to join him at King’s College-London for worship and Holy Communion. The Builders and Bridgers doctoral cohort culminated their day by attending worship at St. Paul’s Cathedral where Dr. Jennifer Smith also serves as Honorary Canon.
Arguably, one of the most meaningful experiences shared during the Builders and Bridgers excursion to England was the time spent in John Wesley’s private prayer room on the second floor. Wesley was so committed to the spiritual discipline of prayer that he built a prayer room on every floor in his private home. The entire column of rooms was often referenced as a “prayer tower.” These private prayer rooms allowed John Wesley and his visiting clergy guests to immerse themselves in a spiritual practice which fueled the course and momentum of John Wesley’s commitment to spiritual formation and social justice. Wesley was a firm believer in the notion that the Gospel contains a social component to it which should inspire the transformation of institutions as much as the individual. Our students were awestruck by the notion that an entire global movement materialized through Wesley’s transformational leadership, commitment to prophetic preaching, and the spiritual disciplines which included daily prayer.
The Builders and Bridgers’ immersion trip to England, under the leadership of Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr., and Dr. Christopher Michael Jones, is just one example of how the marriage of innovative thought-leadership and practical wisdom comes to life through United’s Doctor of Ministry program. The Builders and Bridgers doctoral cohort is comprised of students who are scattered across the United States and serve in many different denominational contexts. Some are non-denominational in affiliation. No matter their geographic location or ecumenical tradition, students in United’s Doctor of Ministry program encounter a multitude of experiences through which to grow spiritually and professionally. Through such life-changing opportunities, the students at United Theological Seminary are prepared as faithful Christian leaders committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ.