The Group-Based Open Learning Discipleship Project

THE OBJECTS OF THE CIO ARE:(1) THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION BOTH IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD BY:(A) THE PROVISION OF INTERACTIVE SELF-STUDY COURSES AND PROGRAMMES TO BE UNDERTAKEN AT HOME BUT SUPPLEMENTED AND SUPPORTED BY A TUTOR AND INTERACTIVE GROUP DISCUSSIONS DESIGNED TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF THE BIBLE, CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE AND RELATED SUBJECTS AND THEREBY BETTER EQUIP STUDENTS FOR DISCIPLESHIP, MINISTRY (WHETHER ORDAINED OR LAY) AND MISSION IN VARIOUS CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS;(B) SUCH OTHER EXCLUSIVELY CHARITABLE MEANS AS THE TRUSTEES MAY FROM TIME TO TIME DETERMINE.(2) THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION BY ASSISTING IN THE TRAINING OF MEN AND WOMEN IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION TO EQUIP THEM BETTER FOR DISCIPLESHIP, MINISTRY (WHETHER ORDAINED OR LAY) AND MISSION IN VARIOUS CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS.IN FURTHERANCE OF THESE OBJECTS THE CIO SUBSCRIBES TO THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT OF FAITH (CHURCHES TOGETHER IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND):“WE ACKNOWLEDGE GOD’S REVELATION IN CHRIST, CONFESS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS GOD AND SAVIOUR ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES, AND, IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WILL AND IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT COMMIT OURSELVES:- TO SEEK A DEEPENING OF OUR COMMUNION WITH CHRIST AND WITH ONE ANOTHER IN THE CHURCH, WHICH IS HIS BODY; AND- TO FULFIL OUR MISSION TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL BY COMMON WITNESS AND SERVICE IN THE WORLD TO THE GLORY OF THE ONE GOD, FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT.”