Diploma Course

The Diploma in Biblical and Pastoral Studies is a 3 year course and is awarded on the basis of the following:

• Attendance at all Saturday and Friday lectures and class presentations throughout the three academic years, unless absent due to sickness or bereavement. (minimum of 80% attendance is required) Classes usually run on the 1^st Saturday and the 3^rd  Friday of every month.
• The submission of 9 acceptable assignments over the 3 years.
  
  This equates to 1 assignment each term and 3 assignments each academic year.
  
  Completion of assignments provides students with a measure of accountability, along with feedback about how they are progressing throughout the course.  It also challenges students to put in the time and effort needed to produce good quality work.  This is an excellent opportunity for students to humbly grow in their understanding of many important topics. 

• Students are required to commit to undertaking the required reading schedule which supplements the lectures and presentations. Students will be informed of the required books at the beginning of each term/year.

What is the Cost of the Diploma?

The Cost of the Diploma in Pastoral and Biblical Studies is £930.00 payable either in full, at registration, or in instalments throughout the course (£310.00 per academic year)

All cheques should be made payable to ‘Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle Belfast.’

Should any applicant find this fee financially challenging, a bursary of up to 50% of the fee may be granted.  To apply for a bursary please email the Registrar at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Completion of the New Testament Foundation Course is required for enrolment in the Diploma.

Required and Recommended Reading

In his farewell letter to Timothy the apostle Paul writes “...give attendance to reading.” Because we cannot teach all that is needed, guided self learning is also an important component of the course.

The following is a list of books necessary for reading between Saturdays and Fridays. You may secure these yourself in either hard copy or electronic format or order them from the The Shepherd's Academy Bookstall

• You will need a good size print Bible. We recommend either the NKJV, the KJV or the ESV. These are the versions your tutors will be teaching from.

• The most recent edition of ‘Systematic Theology’ by Wayne Gruden.

• ‘The Book on Leadership.’ by John MacArthur.

NB. Further books may be added to supplement and enhance learning throughout the course

Course Syllabus
Saturday Classes

Theology

Working through Grudem’s ‘Systematic Theology’ we will cover five main topics:
1. Doctrine of God (Trinity, Omnipotence, Creator etc) = 12 classes
2. Doctrine of Man = 3 classes
3. Doctrine of Redemption (Election, Adoption, Justification etc) = 10 classes
4. Doctrine of the Church (Baptism, Church Government, Lord’s supper etc) = 8 classes
5. Doctrine of the Future (Millennium, Heaven, Final Judgement etc) = 5 classes

Wonderful story of the Bible:

Word of God (Inspiration, Sufficiency, Inerrancy, Canon etc) = 7 classes
Overview of the Bible (History, Outline, Relevance, Harmony etc) = 5 classes
How we got the Bible (Manuscripts, Translations) = 2 classes -
Defending the Bible (Bible difficulties, Archaeology) = 3 classes -

Church History:

Early church, Spread of Christianity, Reformation etc = 15 classes

Other Topics:

We would see Jesus (Virgin Birth, Deity, Humanity, Death etc) = 6 classes
The Holy Spirit = 4 classes.
Roman Catholicism (Mass, Confession etc) = 4 classes 
Meeting the Cults (Islam, Mormons, Watchtower etc) = 7 classes
Biblical Ethics (Abortion, Homosexuality, Suicide, Capital Punishment etc) = 9 classes
Apologetics = 3 classes

Walking with the Giants  

Biographies of significant Christian personalities (Augustine, John Bunyan, C.T. Studd, Spurgeon, John Wesley, Gladys Aylward). = 14 classes approx

Friday Classes

Leaders And Leadership in the Church
This set of studies examines the qualities of leaders, taking time to consider a few of the great leaders we find in the Bible. This will also look at the responsibilities and challenges of leadership as well as looking at a who’s who of leadership in the local church.

Shepherding Sheep in the Twenty First Century
These studies suggest a way forward in helping to deal with a multitude of pastoral concerns and problems church people encounter, from helping them to overcome doubt, overcoming temptation, bringing a biblical perspective to home and domestic situations, resolving strife between believers and much, much more.

Preaching And Preachers
This module of studies will answer questions like; How do I study the Bible? How do I know what to preach/teach on next? How do I prepare a sermon/Bible Lesson? How do I deliver a sermon/Lesson? How do I use a concordance and lexicon? What different types of sermons are there? What pitfalls does the preacher/teacher need to watch out for?

How To Build and Run a Church
This module deals with the main priorities of a church. Appointing church officers. Oversight meetings, trustees and handling church finances. Safeguarding and church discipline along with a host of other issues important to the smooth and legal running of a church.

Apply Now

You can apply for the full diploma using the link below
Diploma in Biblical and Pastoral Studies – Apply Now

You can also attend the lectures, without doing the full diploma. To do this you can complete the form below.
Attend Diploma Classes – Apply Now 

If you require any further information, please contact Julie Larmour (Registrar) by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.