Why is the College of the Transfiguration so important?

What theology does it teach?

The College is committed to teaching that is contextual and Christ-centred, as we believe that it is vital for theology to be formed and informed by the contexts in which we minister.

We do not provide ready-made answers to academic questions, but challenge students to think creatively and methodically about their faith and actions as they engage with the issues, situations and problems of the communities in which they live. In this process, the breadth and depth of the church's theology is explored, and we empower students to bring God's Kingdom to those around them.

Teaching offered by the College equips learners to bring transformation that is holistic, embracing spirit, mind and body.

What impact does the College have on parishes across Southern Africa?

Why can't students be trained at Universities such as UNISA, or in their own parishes?

Preparing for ministry requires more than simply gaining academic knowledge. It is a journey that involves the formation of character, abilities, thoughts and discipline and the transformation of values, attitude and experience.

This journey demands that Ordinands experience the catholicity of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, so that their ministry may reflect and embrace our church in its unity and diversity.

Why not move the College to somewhere more accessible than Grahamstown?

Grahamstown is easily accessible from Port Elizabeth (90 minutes) and East London (2 hours) both of which have regular flight connections to other major centres.

Yet, while it is accessible, Grahamstown is also 'set apart'. Filled with thriving educational institutions, it is a city of few distractions and studying in this environment offers learners time out to develop in their personal journey with God.

Having been located in Grahamstown from its inception, the College of the Transfiguration has developed good working relationships with local parishes, hospitals, homes for the elderly and HIV/AIDS care centres – enabling learners to explore and develop their skills in authentic contexts. Being located in one of the poorest of our provinces, the College is also able to provide a crucial ministry and to offer students the opportunity to practice their pastoral skills and experience the challenges of living within underprivileged communities.

To provide the necessary infrastructure of a residential college (e.g. sufficient accommodation, buildings and land) in another location would be prohibitively expensive. Given that the current location provides a place where the spiritual formation of learners can be conducted in a community set aside for that purpose, and the long history of relationships between the College and the diverse community of Grahamstown, The College of the Transfiguration appears to be well placed to continue fulfilling its mission.

What impact will the new facilities have on the students?

The new facilities will provide learners with badly needed resources; access to computers will enable them to learn how to harness technology to enhance their ministry; the new library will provide up-to-date research and resource materials geared to encouraging them to investigate and develop their understanding and practice of ministry.

Additional lecture facilities and office space will enhance the quality of staff input, positively impacting on students' spiritual and academic formation. In short, the new facilities will ensure that the College is able to offer holistic programmes geared to ministry in the 21st Century, thus ensuring that our church continues to be served by effective and dedicated leaders.

Why not just revamp existing facilities?

Existing facilities are being revamped, but this in itself will not meet our needs. The present library is simply too small to house an ever-increasing collection of resource materials. Similarly, the present computer room has space for only ten computers, meaning that each has to be shared by five students.

Two of our current lecture rooms are situated amongst student accommodation on the first floor and are problematic in terms of access by students with disabilities. These issues can only be resolved by the erection of additional new buildings to augment the present facilities, ensuring that the College can grow and develop for many years to come.

Who will maintain the new buildings?

The Provincial Synod resolution of 2005 included the commitment to fund and equip the College, as well as the establishment of Theological Education Sunday, the first of which was celebrated in 2006. Funds raised on this occasion are being used to endow the College; this endowment fund is a crucial component in providing an ongoing income that can be used to maintain the College's infrastructure.

Is the project supported by the Anglican Church and the Archbishop?

In 2005, the Provincial Synod of Anglican Church of Southern Africa adopted the following resolution:

The Provincial Synod, whilst giving thanks to God and acknowledging the immense contribution in our past of the different seminaries and institutions towards the spiritual formation and education of clergy and laity, and recognising the present College of the Transfiguration is our only existing residential provincial seminary, calls upon all Bishops, clergy and Dioceses to recommit themselves to support the College, its staff and students.

The current Archbishop has expressed his support for the project and the province has already supported funding applications to overseas bodies, e.g. the United Thank Offering, in support of this project.

What does the future look like for the College of the Transfiguration?

In the years ahead, the College will continue to revise and develop its current programmes to ensure that they are contextually relevant and fulfil our mission to form, inform and transform our learners, so that they may become agents of transformation in our church and society.

In addition, we will be expanding our programmes to cater for more Ordinands and we plan to introduce new qualifications, including a Certificate in Ministry for vocational deacons and a degree in Theology and Ministry. We also hope to offer plunge courses to those pursuing a vocation to non-stipendiary ministry and to strengthen relationships with training schemes run by the dioceses of the Anglican Church in Southern Africa.