Theology’s part-time future: A fresh initiative in theological education and religious literacy?

Abstract

Recent drops in the number of full-time theology and religious studies students in the UK raise concerns for all universities with departments of theology and religion. Without denying the importance of efforts to increase those full-time numbers, this article argues that greater attention be paid to possibilities of expanding part-time theological education, and not only in the context of formal ministerial training. At a time when greater religious literacy is needed, and buoyed by evidence of what older learners want from their studies – personal growth rather than just better employment prospects – expansion of part-time study opportunities may prove an additional, and important, initiative required by theology and religion departments. In this way, they would not only improve their own financial positions but they would also make an even greater contribution to their local communities and to individual and social well-being. A commitment would be needed, however, from universities themselves to recognize this important ‘public good’.