Introduction: Identity
Derek Poole

Comment: What's in a Name?
Janet Morris

From the Director
David Porter

End Game of the End Times
David Porter

We Will Not Have Home Rule
Alywn Thomson

The Lost Field
Tony Davidson

Divine Assumption
Alan Wilson

Walking the Tight Rope
William Storrar

Certificate in Biblical Peacebuilding
Lynda Gould

Liberal Evangelical Post-Unionism and ECONI
Esmond Birnie

O God Our Help in Ages Past
Christopher Catherwood

Transformation
Lynda Gould

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CERTIFICATE IN BIBLICAL PEACE BUILDING
ECONI, through its Programme for Christian Peace-building aims to equip Christians with practical skills to address community division in Northern Ireland and the long- term task of peace building. Training plays a key role in achieving this.

Since the launch of our new strategic vision plan we have renewed our emphasis on developing a training programme which is accessible and relevant to local churches and communities. We aim to contribute to a developing culture of learning in churches by facilitating dialogue, understanding and ultimately change. Courses provide a 'safe space' to look more closely at issues related to religious, political, cultural and national identity.

Course participants come from diverse theological backgrounds, yet they share a need to understand what the Bible has to say about being a Christian in a divided community. For many, the need to understand a theological rational for peace and reconciliation brings them back to new courses as they are developed.

Recognising this commitment to learning, ECONI training has become more structured and the content reflects a progression from introductory type courses, to more in-depth material and the development of skills. In addition all of our courses now combine towards a new Certificate, which is validated by ECONI. This Certificate brings all our courses together and offers an opportunity to consolidate the learning potential of all the courses we facilitate.

The Certificate in Biblical Peace-Building will be awarded by ECONI to participants who complete six of the modules offered in the training programme outlined below and complete a written assignment on a relevant topic. The Certificate may be completed over two years.

TRAINING PROGRAMME OUTLINE

Journey in Understanding
A six-week introductory course exploring the influence of culture, history and religion in shaping our identity.

Bridge Builders
Designed to motivate, inform and equip Christians in the task of building peace in the community in which we live. The course is delivered over two modules:

Bridge Builders 1 is primarily dealing with identity, conflict, and peace building.

Bridge Builders 2 is primarily concerned with the role of the church in a divided community. Each module lasts 10 weeks.)

Skills for the task 1 - Facilitating Others
An eight-week course designed to meet the growing need for high quality training. This course is a practical introduction to the skills required to work with others in local churches and to deliver some of the ECONI training programmes. It is particularly suitable for those currently engaged in training or those hoping to take up a training role.

Skills for the task 2 - Using the Bible in a Divided Society
An eight-week course on the theme of biblical interpretation with particular reference to the Northern Ireland context, this course is suitable for those who carry responsibility for handling Scripture in preaching or teaching, but not exclusively.

Summer School
ECONI's summer school involves a four day residential exploring two important issues relating to Christian witness in a divided community. Back to the Future looks at the relationship between faith and cultural identity. A Spirituality for Social Engagement considers the kind of spiritual values and practice we need to cultivate in the church if we are to engage meaningfully in the healing of our community (see other feature).