New ‘3-C’ course for new profession

‘Christianity, Culture and Communication’ a hit with students

A new ’3-C’ course in Christianity, Culture and Communication starts this September at the Diaconal Colleges in both Copenhagen and Aarhus, comprising 4 years of study to the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree. The course is non-confessional.

The Ministry of Education has acknowledged the increasing need for professional staff who can support Christian and cultural communication in churches and church organisations. The principal of the Diaconal College, Jens Maibom Pedersen, has spoken to Nanna Schelde of the Christian Daily: “It’s the first time that the church sphere has been recognised at this level. It will help Christianity and a Christian life-view to interact better with ordinary everyday life and show that the Christian faith can make its contribution. It will also serve to clear up the misunderstandings we sometimes experience when Christianity becomes part of the public debate.”

Hans Raun Iversen, Associate Professor in Practical Theology at Copenhagen University calls the new course ‘a milestone’. “It’s also a very positive sign that so many have signed up for the course, far more than we can accommodate,” he says. “It will link theory and practice and cover a number of areas that have had a bad deal previously. We’ve got to get Christianity into play in other fora and forms than at present.”

24-year-old Mai-Britt Sørensen has studied language and literature at university and is now ready for the diaconal course. “I like the combination of theory and practice. I’m interested in theology but I think this is a good alternative. There are so many possibilities once you’re finished. I have a number of non-Christian friends who think that Christianity is peripheral. I hope my training can help to explain things in a more relevant way, so that the church comes out of the box!” she says.

 

Edward Broadbridge

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