There are many colleges, seminaries and institutions that offer training in theology – Why choose St Mellitus? Here are a few of things that we think makes us a little different....

• We are rooted in the church. We believe in the local church as an excellent context in which to learn how to minister. So all our students are based in local churches while they study. The college is led by the Bishops of London and Chelmsford, who chair its Board of Trustees, The North Thames Ministerial Training Course was created within and for the two dioceses, and the St Paul’s Theological Centre (SPTC) has a vision of ‘bringing theology into the heart of the church’, with its base in Holy Trinity, Brompton in London.

• We have pioneered new ways of training for Ministry. We have developed an innovative new  church-based, 'Mixed Mode' training pathway: full-time training with half takign place in the classroom, and the other half 'on the job' in a church or mission context. Like We also offer part-time training for those who have full-time jobs.  Both groups come together for residentials and to learn from each other.

• We draw strength from a wide diversity of students. The College is committed to the growth of all kinds of Christian churches not just some. Through SPTC it has links with Holy Trinity Brompton, but it also trains people for ministry in very different kinds of churches - we want to help people learn how to develop all kinds of Christian churches, from catholic to evangelical, traditional to emerging. We are committed to what the Bishop of London has described as a "charismatic catholic orthodoxy, ancient but fresh"

• We are Anglican but open to all kinds of Christians. Although it is focussed in the Anglican church, many Christians from other churches study with us, both from the historic denominations and the new churches, who comprise the fastest growing Christian communities in this region.

• We seek to make theological and ministerial formation accessible to Christians across the region and beyond. With a conviction that theology is best learnt while engaged in Christian life and ministry, St Mellitus does not offer full-time residential training, but theological resources and teaching for those who are also learning 'on the job' in church or in secular life.

• We are aiming to relate Christian theology to the whole of life. All our students are engaged in some form of Christian ministry, whether working in local churches or Christian communities, or in ‘secular’ jobs. In the future it is looking to develop courses in the relationship between Christian theology and all aspects of human endeavour: law, politics, arts, healthcare, business etc.

• We include a special focus on Church Planting and Pioneer Ministry. Recognising that planting new churches is one of the fastest ways to grow the church today, through our Mixed Mode course, we aim to equip ordained and lay people to play their part in planting new forms of church life across the region and beyond.

• We aim at excellence in theological teaching.  Among our core and visiting lecturers, we have some of the best theological teachers in the UK, and provide the opportunity to learn from them while every learning with practical ministry at the same time.