A Day At WEST

The WEST teaching day starts at 8.30am with worship and the preaching of the Word which is led by students and staff in turn. This sets the tone for the day.

Classes commence immediately after morning worship; they last for 50 minutes each. At 10.50am, WEST staff and students gather in the dining room for refreshments and a chat. It is a welcome but noisy break with lots of animated discussion as well as private conversations.

WEST classes
Classes vary in size and nature. Some are lectures, but often they are student-led seminars or workshops on preaching, pastoral or mission studies.

Full-time WEST lecturers are assisted by a number of visiting lecturers who are either church pastors, experienced missionaries or specialists in fields like medicine. All the classes are opened and closed in prayer.

There are seven class periods each day Tuesday to Thursday but only four classes on Friday morning. Regularly on a Tuesday, students meet informally in pastoral groups.

Students and staff join together for lunch at 1.00pm. This is an excellent time for fellowship, getting to know one another better, and also for continuing class discussions. Students and staff then have separate prayer meetings.

Time for reflection and relaxation
Students do not normally have to attend more than ten to twelve classes per week so there is ample time for reflection, reading, conversations or playing table-tennis. They can study in the library for several hours or use the excellent IT facilities in order to resource and prepare essays or sermons. The main lounge is available as a prayer room during the day.

The WEST grounds provide ample space for a leisurely walk, games or a relaxing sit down to appreciate the gardens and be alone with the Lord or share with a friend.