ZACHARIAS TRUST TRAININg
Christians are often faced with difficult questions or objections to their faith from those who do not share the same belief. This opposition can come in many shapes and sizes and can range from a hostile remark made by someone who has a negative perception of Christianity (or Christians in general), to someone who has a deeper intellectual concern which prevents them from accepting the Christian message.
Most Christians would admit that they often feel uncomfortable or ill-equipped to deal with some of the objections or challenges to their faith that they can be faced with on a day-to-day basis.
The Zacharias Trust Training (formerly "vitalconnections") is a course held over three long weekends, designed to help Christians deal with these kind of challenges by helping them convey the gospel message in a more effective and appealing manner. The course is ideal for any Christian, whether actively involved in evangelism or not, who wants to become a more dynamic witness for Christ by developing in confidence, spiritual life and character.
THE FORMAT OF THE WEEKEND
The course is both innovative and demanding as it grapples with the intellectual challenges that Christians face in a postmodern and pluralistic society. The programme provides in-depth teaching in apologetics and the spiritual disciples and covers biblical instruction, as well as examining both secular philosophers and notable theologians and thinkers. An integral part of the course is examining the common questions and objections that many people have about Christianity in order to help develop ways in which these concerns can be addressed using theological insight and practical examples.
The course is designed to be very interactive, both with the speakers and with others attending.
The training weekends are held three times per year, and there are three different components to the course (known as phase 1, phase 2 and phase 3). All new people cover the phase 1 material on their first weekend and it does not matter in what order they then do phase 2 or 3. Although students will get the most out of attending all three training weekends, there is no obligation to “sign-up” for all three components - nor is there a time-limit for completing the whole course – you can complete the components when you are free to do so.
Each weekend begins with dinner at 7pm on the first evening, followed by an introductory session. The weekend will finish by 3.30pm on the final day.
WHO DOES THE TEACHING?
The Zacharias Trust speakers are Michael Ramsden and Amy Orr-Ewing, and they teach at each weekend.
Training Associates include L.T. Jeyachandran, Joe Boot, Frog Orr-Ewing, John Lennox, Nick Chatrath and Sharon Dirckx. One or more Associate teaches at each weekend.
VENUE
The training weekends are held at Hothorpe Hall, near Market Harborough, Leicestershire.
DATES OF UPCOMING EVENTS
PLEASE NOTE THAT IN 2008 WE ARE MOVING TO A NEW MODEL OF TRAINING CONSISTING OF SINGLE TRAINING DAYS HELD IN DIFFERENT VENUES AROUND THE UK.
THEREFORE, THE MAY WEEKEND WILL BE THE LAST TRAINING WEEKEND OF THIS STYLE, BUT IT WILL STILL INCLUDE THE FIRST COMPONENT OF THE COURSE AS EACH PART OF THE COURSE CAN STILL OPERATE AS IF IT WAS A "STAND ALONE" EVENT.
WE ARE HOPING TO RE-LAUNCH THE TRAINING WEEKENDS IN AROUND 2 YEARS.
2008 rates:
Student rate / church group of 5+ staying in a multiple room
(3-5 people per room) |
£140 per person |
| Shared 3 or 4 bed / settee-bed en suite room |
£175 per person |
| Shared Twin en suite per person |
£205 per person |
| Single en suite |
£295 per person |
| Double en suite (married couple only) |
£380 per married couple |
Prices include accommodation, meals and lecture notes.