In this new role, Graham will take on the leadership of Cliff College’s gap year programme, the Cliff Year, which is a year of intentional Christian formation and missional action, structured by A Methodist Way of Life. Open to those aged 18-25, the Cliff Year continues to grow in number and we look forward to welcoming a cohort of 8 participants for the 2024/25 Cliff Year in September.
In addition to this, Graham will contribute to the academic programmes of the College as a Teaching Fellow. Bringing his expertise in the area of community faith formation and practical theology, Graham will teach and supervise across Cliff’s suite of missional learning programmes: the Foundations units, the BA Theology and Mission, the MA Theology and Mission and doctoral programmes.
I am delighted to be appointed to this role and have the opportunity to share in the academic life of Cliff and work with the Cliff Year participants. This is an exciting opportunity to experience how A Methodist Way of Life can encourage spirituality to flourish, enrich community life, and provide a way to explore theology through lived experience in the life of the Cliff Year, the College as a whole, and the Methodist Church.
Rev Dr Graham Edwards
The Cliff Year is an important part of Cliff College’s life, building upon our heritage of equipping young adults for a life of active discipleship and mission. Today, the Cliff Year offers an exciting gap year opportunity of missional and formational engagement, through practical mission and ministry, learning and community life. We are excited to invest in the Cliff Year’s growth and development through the appointment of Graham Edwards.
Rev Ashley Cooper, Cliff College Principal
Graham is originally from Liverpool and grew up in a family with a strong Methodist tradition. He worked as a lay worker and youth worker in various churches around Liverpool and entered the Methodist ministry in 2008. Graham is currently Superintendent Minister in the Macclesfield Circuit and has also worked with the Altrincham and Stretford and Urmston circuits in recent years. He previously served in West Yorkshire. His ministry has included working with Fresh Expressions, school teams and Local Preachers. He has encouraged churches to engage theologically and practically as they explore mission and evangelism in their context.
Graham completed his first degree at Cliff College in 2001 and continued his theological education in the following years, leading to the completion of a doctorate through The University of Chester in 2019. His doctoral studies explored the concept of Lived Religion and argued for an understanding of Lived Methodism mediated through contextual narratives of place. Graham is interested in how lived experience shapes and is shaped by theology in the life of a community.
We look forward to Graham joining the team and bringing his expertise and thought leadership in this vital area of our work, as we train and equip people to participate in God’s mission.
Rev Dr Andrew Stobart, Vice Principal Academic
Graham will start his role part-time in September 2024, while continuing to serve as Superintendent of the Macclesfield Circuit, and will then take up the position full-time from September 2025.
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