David Heywood (2017) Kingdom Learning: Experiential and Reflective Approaches to Christian Formation. SCM Press
The author is Director of Pastoral Studies at Ripon College, Cuddesdon near Oxford and well qualified to produce this exceptional book. The flyleaf asserts, “This is a major contribution to the practice of discipleship and ministry for all God’s people.” I agree with that judgement.
The author skillfully weaves together insights from across many disciplines, Adult Education, Theological Education, Ministerial Education, the Psychology of Learning, and others and what he has to say is of great value. The book builds beginning with what adult learning and discipleship look like in the early church, then on to more recent contributions made in Adult Education and then how all this relates to our present situation. A recurring theme is the importance of Theological Reflection as an essential component in the formation and growth of disciples.
The sheer variety of authors researched from divergent fields with their insights is staggering.
Just to give one example; the author tells in an accessible style of a study from 1985 by Hubert and Stuart Dreyfus, on how a person advances in learning from being a beginner to having real expertise. The illustrations given are learning how to play Cricket and How to play Chess. The conclusions drawn are very significant. Theory and Practice work together rather than separated. (in my theological college days, I had 3 years of theory with two summer practical placements, there was no integration). Learning chess and cricket is about remembered multi-faceted situations. Learning is not de-contextualized. This to me is of enormous importance and has repercussion in how we design and implement learning events in church life. There are a lot more gems here in these chapters.
The final chapter looks at how learning can take place today. Interestingly the author commends supervision (coming soon in Ministry) as an aid to continued reflection.
He concludes by advocating “a transition away from the mindset of clericalism, in which all responsibility for and most of the work of ministry falls on the ordained clergy … to a mindset that assumes the participation of all God’s people Missionary Disciples.”
I was disappointed that there is no bibliography although the footnotes the author offers are very helpful.
I warmly commend this book especially if you are involved in teaching and mentoring in your local church or that you are passionate to see God’s people grow in depth and become more Christlike.
Revd. Maurice Stafford (Volunteer Librarian UTU)
Please contact UTU Office if you would like to borrow this book. We are happy to post books out for a contribution to cover the cost.