The Centre focuses on four key areas:

Vocation, calling and entry into ministry

Discipleship Training

Training in ministry and leadership for serving ministers and clergy

Opportunities for theological study including an MA in Applied Theological Studies with a pathway in “Black Ministries and Leadership”

The Centre for Black Ministries and Leadership is beginning its work at a very exciting time for the British churches when a closer relationship is being sought and enjoyed between the Black Majority Churches and the other denominations. The Foundation is therefore delighted that the new Centre is a partnership with the Church of England (working closely with the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns CMEAC, Ministry Division and individual dioceses)  the Church of God of Prophecy and the New Testament Church of God. Other denominations are actively exploring joining in with this venture, and we welcome theirs and any other interest in what we are doing.

The Centre also builds on long established work at Queens in the theological education and training of Black and Asian Christians underpinned by dedicated research conducted from a Black perspective. The Foundation is recognised nationally and internationally as a centre of excellence for Black Theology, noteably in the work of Dr Anthony Reddie in the Graduate Centre for Research, through the sponsorship of the Methodist Church. Anthony publishes extensively and edits “Black Theology – An International Journal”. He is assisted by Carol Troupe, who is a research associate in the Graduate Centre. Carol coordinates the Black theology learning website to be found at www.livingoutfaith.org, and is assistant reviews editor of the Black theology journal. Bible and Liberation Studies from Black and Asian perspectives has also been pioneered at Queens by Dr Mukti Barton who publishes widely in this field, as well as in the subject of tackling racism in the church context. In addition, Black Biblical Hermeneutics is now being developed by Lynnette Mullings. The Centre is very keen to contribute to and develop a learning environment at Queens that responds to and engages the particular gifts and perspectives of Black and Asian Christians.

The Centre has two immediate, primary aims:

• To widen access to theological education and to enable the development of the vocations, gifts and leadership of Black and Asian Christians, lay and ordained, in the Church of England.
• To provide theological education, ministerial and leadership training to lay and ordained members of participating Black Majority Churches

There are two developmental aims:

• To develop expertise in inter-cultural ministry so as to provide consultancy, research and training to enable the churches to meet the challenges and opportunities that exist in congregations and communities of ethnic and cultural diversity.
• To gain support and participation from other churches so as to widen and deepen the ecumenical dimension of the Centre.