MISSION, THEOLOGY & MINISTRY FOR THE MARGINS ONLINE
Lighthouse School of Missional Theology is pleased to offer the MTMM course, equipping Christians to look and love like Jesus as they reach out to marginalised communities.
Drawing on our experience in theology, mission, and ministry with adults facing poverty, mental health challenges, homelessness, trauma, and addiction, we facilitate a dynamic learning community for both those already working on the margins or feeling called to pioneer in this area.
Participants will explore biblical and theological frameworks, practical ministry skills, and reflect on vocation, all within a supportive community of peers and experienced practitioners.
“For anyone working with, or feeling called to support, those on the margins, this course offers both practical tools and real spiritual depth.
More than anything, it is deeply rooted in real-world ministry and shows what it truly means to love like Jesus — slowly, sacrificially, and with our whole selves.”
Course Overview
The course, will include passionate teaching which fuses together Biblical studies, theological reflection, interviews with people with lived experience, cultural analysis, historical case studies and cutting edge research on addiction and trauma to inspire and equip the church to engage with those on the margins in a way that looks and loves like Jesus.
Topics Include
Visions and Values of Healthy Theology
Missiology for the Margins
The Image of God
Leading Accessible Worship
Learning to Lament
Why the Hell do Bad Things Happen?
Addiction and Recovery
Helping without Hurting
Trauma: Hope for Healing
Course Delivery
We are excited to be able to offer this online course to people worldwide. The course will be delivered live-streamed via Zoom, all you need is a device and an internet connection. Starting in September, the MTMM course runs one Monday evening a month, from 7pm - 9pm. The online content will consist of a mixture of live-lecturers, pre-recorded video resources, reading material and conversations between tutors and other practitioners working with those on the margins, with session recordings sent out to students afterwards.
Course Session Dates
Mon 14th September 2026
Mon 12th October 2026
Mon 9th November 2026
Mon 7th December 2026
Mon 11th January 2027
Mon 8th February 2027
Mon 8th March 2027
Mon 19th April 2027
Mon 10th May 2027
Mon 7th June 2027
(** All Sessions: 7pm - 9pm on Zoom)
Certification & Study Commitment
Homework and additional study tasks are kept light and will vary from month to month, typically requiring no more than an hour leading up to or following each session (for example, short pre-reading or pre-watching materials). This course is not formally accredited by any academic institution; however, students will receive a Certificate of Completion from Lighthouse School of Missional Theology upon finishing the programme. There are no essays or formal assignments as part of the course.
Cost
Full Course Fee = £250
Discounted Course Fee = £150 (for those in receipt of income support, benefits, etc)
Course Tutors
Rev’d Jon Swales MBE
Jon is an Anglican Priest, pioneer, prophetic theologian and poet who heads up Lighthouse West Yorkshire, a church for those who are battered and bruised by the storms of life. He oversees ‘Lighthouse School of Missional Theology’ and has taught at the Niagara School of Missional Leadership, the Leeds School of Theology, St Hild Theological College, and Westminster Theological Centre. Jon studied Theology at the University of Leeds and Biblical Studies at both Sheffield University (M.A) and Trinity College, Bristol (MLitt, ADMT). Jon is passionate for the church to engage more fully its missional calling to reach out to the most vulnerable in society
Liz Harden
Liz is Senior Pastor at Lighthouse and brings a wealth of experience from both Christian and secular settings as a pastor and teacher. She is part of the senior leadership team for Dreaming The Impossible and tutors for the Youth Elective Program at Vineyard College. Liz and her husband are passionate foster carers, opening their home to support and care for young people in need. She brings this same heart for nurture, inclusion, and transformation into all areas of her teaching and leadership