The Scottish Cornhill Training Course (CTC) is a course offering training in biblical expository ministry. Our primary aim is to equip men to preach. We’re also pleased to prepare women and men for other Bible-teaching ministries.
The Aim of the Course
Download the course leaflet here
Our primary aim is to train men to preach. The course is designed to equip Christians to:
- Understand the Bible accurately
- Teach the Bible effectively
- Apply the Bible appropriately
We are also pleased to train men and women to teach the Bible in other contexts such as youth and children’s work and women’s ministries.
The Cornhill Training Course was started in London in 1991 by David Jackman. Cornhill is one of the ministries of the Proclamation Trust which arose out of the expository preaching ministry of Dick Lucas, Rector of St Helen’s Bishopsgate, in the City of London, from 1961 to 1998. The Scottish Cornhill Training Course, based in Central Glasgow, was established in 2006.
What is distinctive about the course?
Our conviction is that the preaching of God’s word in the local church is the God-given way in which the Father makes the Son known by the work of the Spirit. We focus, therefore, on preaching in the context of the local church. The course is intensive (two days a week part-time or four days a week full-time) with lots of assessed practical work. Each student can expect to give at least 15 assessed talks or sermons over the duration of the course, as well as contributing to group discussions.
Cornhill is an integrated course that endeavours not just to impart information but to fashion and shape Christian people to be servants of the word of Christ. Our teaching is interactive and practical, with group work, questions and discussion.
Course content
The ‘heartbeat’ of the course is the teaching of a wide range of books of Scripture, getting to grips with them in order to be able to preach and teach them to others.
We study the Bible together:
- Each morning begins with the Word of God and prayer as a student gives a short ‘Morning Bible Exposition’.
- A series of in-depth studies of Bible books, focusing on books such as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Mark, Luke, Acts, Romans and Revelation. In fact, across the two-years we will study at least 46 different Bible books.
- Shorter studies on Bible books like Numbers, Joshua, Judges, Nehemiah, Proverbs, Habakkuk, 1 John and Jude.
- A complete Bible Overview.
- A course in Thematic Bible Overview themes.
- A series of special days throughout the year where we run ‘Book in a Day’ events where the whole day is spent wrestling with a Bible book or section of a Bible book.
We study principles of biblical preaching:
- An in-depth course on Preaching Instructions as well as regular bite-size lectures once a week will stretch and sharpen us in our Bible handling skills.
We expound Bible passages:
- As well as the ‘Morning Exposition’ at the beginning of each day, ‘Teaching Practice Groups’ are a major part of the course where students give practice talks and receive feedback.
We study Christian doctrine:
- An Introductory course on Systematic Theology.
We study the work of a Pastor:
- The shape of Pastoral Ministry, with consideration of a number of practical issues.
What else does Cornhill offer?
- Fellowship with others wanting to serve Christ in the ministry of the Word and prayer.
- A mission week in the UK or elsewhere each year.
- Visiting lecturers and speakers who help us with further Bible teaching and other practical ministry skills.
- All students benefit from a placement or apprenticeship with a local church in which they can exercise their Bible teaching skills.
Term Dates : 2025-26
SPRING TERM (10 teaching weeks)
Monday 12 January – Friday 3 April 2026
- Half term/Mission week: Sun 15 February – Friday 27 February 2026
SUMMER TERM (8 teaching weeks, including EMC)
Monday 27 April – Thursday 25 June 2026
- Half Term: Monday 25 May – Friday 29 May 2026
Term Dates : 2026-27
AUTUMN TERM (12 teaching weeks)
Monday 14 September – Friday 18 December 2026
- Half term: Monday 12 October – Friday 16 October 2026
- Reading wk: Monday 16 November – Friday 20 November 2026
SPRING TERM (9 teaching weeks)
Monday 11 January – Friday 26 March 2027
- Half term/Mission week: Sun 14 February – Friday 26 February 2027
SUMMER TERM (9 teaching weeks including EMC)
Monday 12 April – Thursday 24 June 2027
- Reading wk & Half Term: Monday 17 May – Friday 28 May 2027
Course Fees : 2025–26
The Course Fees:
- Standard two-year course: £4,950 for the year (£1,650 payable each term)
- Accelerated one-year course: £7,920 for the year (£2,640 payable each term)
Application Procedure
If you would like to apply for the course there is an application form to be completed and a subsequent interview at 31 Bath Street before students are accepted.
We are always happy to welcome prospective students to visit the course and to meet with individuals to discuss how the course might help their possible future ministry.
Download an application form, or fill it out online here.