A book review looking at the history of St John's College Nottingham.
St John’s College Nottingham – from Northwood to Nottingham 1963-2013 by Colin Buchanan.
by Gordon Kuhrt
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of St John’s. There was a great service of celebration in the summer at Southwell Minster (which I was glad to attend). The history of the first hundred years was recorded by GCB Davies Men for the Ministry (Hodder 1963). The College Council asked Colin Buchanan to write this sequel. He has been a member of staff for 21 years (’64-’85), for the last 6 of which he was principal. He was/is a friend and colleague of virtually all the principals and chairmen and of a large proportion of the staff and students. He has an almost unrivalled knowledge of the College’s development in this period and of the major players. This closeness to it all raises the occasional concern about whether friendship and loyalty has hindered analysis of some aspects of the story, especially when all was not well (hints on pp 104 and 156), or there were policy clashes with the Ministry Division or the region.
But overall it is a splendid and exciting story well told – with a strong concern both for accuracy and (often delightful) anecdote. I must declare my own interests – I was chairman of the bishops’ inspectors to the College in 1995 (p 96), and in 2003 as Director of the Ministry Division of the Archbishops’ Council, I had a bruising encounter with the College Council about the Hind Report Formation for Ministry within a Learning Church (p 106). But I have had numerous happy links with the College over the greater part of the 50 year period.
The chapter on the College in 1963 will remind readers of the rarity of Evangelical leadership at that time in the episcopate, Convocations and national administration, and of their intellectual frailty. The move in 1970 from Northwood to Nottingham was the culmination of great faith, vision and planning. The next 25 years were the period of the extensive principalships of Michael Green, Colin Buchanan and John Goldingay (and shorter spells with Robin Nixon and Anthony Thiselton). Prevailing characteristics of this time were burgeoning numbers, energetic reform, academic competence, strong involvement in CofE structures, and participation in the growing charismatic movement. Some observers wondered whether it was all too frenetic and incoherent.
I n 1997 Christina Baxter became principal after already serving 18 years on the staff, and held the appointment until 2012. As well as this extraordinary and fruitful relationship, she held very high office in the national and international life of the Church for many years. Perhaps a somewhat calmer spirit and spirituality emerged?
After this historical overview, Buchanan provides 9 chapters on themes. A survey on Training Patterns is complex and technical. But the following chapters on the College community, the coming of women and Chapel and worship are full of more human interest. The chapter on the Charismatic Movement contains valuable insights and will repay thoughtful attention. There are further essays on books/Library, Extension studies and Integrated Entities (ie the Tomorrow Project, Midland Centre for Youth Ministry, Christianity and Culture). The final theme is the role of the College in a city, diocesan, regional, national and international context. Though relationships have (for complex reasons) sometimes been problematic in the East Midlands region, the role has been very extensive and significant in the other spheres.
The volume will be of special interest to former students and staff, and to students of 20th C Church history and the Evangelical revival of the later part of the century – also to many concerned for the training of ordinands and others for today’s and tomorrow’s mission. Throughout this period the College’s leaders in staff and Council were imaginative, enterprising and courageous – and occasionally frail. But of God’s rich blessing – there can be no doubt!
Ven Dr Gordon W Kuhrt formerly Archdeacon of Lewisham, and then Director of Ministry for the Archbishops’ Council 1996-2006
Ven Dr Gordon W Kuhrt formerly Archdeacon of Lewisham, and then Director of Ministry for the Archbishops’ Council 1996-2006