Membership in the Fifteenth Institute of Methodist Theological Studies
Types of Membership
Full Members: Most participants will be full members, expected to attend all sessions and make a formal scholarly presentation in either a plenary session or a working group.
Associate Members: There will be a few slots (mainly for representatives from supporting agencies) for associate members, who attend plenary sessions and participate in a working group, but are not expected to make a formal presentation.
Note: Both types of members are expected to reside in college at Keble College, and to be present for the duration of the Institute.
Selection of Members
In keeping with its mission, and the realities of cost and space, membership in the Fifteenth Institute must be limited. Not all who would like to attend can be included. Four major principles will guide selection of members from among the applicants.
- Potential full members are evaluated within each working group area concerning the promise of their scholarly contribution to the focus of the Institute and to advancing the current state of discussion in their field.
- Attention is given to gathering a widely representative Institute. This includes ensuring a sufficient number of participants from the various global settings of Methodism and seeking representation from the range of member churches in the World Methodist Council. It also involves consideration of disciplinary specialization, junior/senior scholar status, gender, and ethnicity.
- The Institute is committed to encouraging and supporting participation in our ranks of young emerging scholars within the broad Methodist/Wesleyan tradition.
- Finally, we purposefully include some scholarly ecclesial leaders (bishops, pastors, agency staff, etc.), to help foster the vital interchange between the academy and the church.
Costs for Institute Participation
The full cost of the residential fee for the Fifteenth Oxford Institute is £1,686 (depending on the rate of exchange, approximately $2160). This fee includes lodging (all rooms are ensuite) and full board at Keble College.
The residential fee is assessed to all Full and Associate Members, as well as any spouses who wish to accompany Members and reside in college.
Travel expenses are additional to the residential fee.
Assistance with Costs of Institute Participation
For Applicants from North or South America, the Caribbean, and All United Methodists
The Institute is able to subsidize members applying from North or South America, the Caribbean, and all United Methodists from any continent to reduce the total cost to £1,535 (depending on the rate of exchange, approximately $1950). Otherwise, members are expected to provide for their own expenses. Members’ institutions or churches are strongly encouraged to cover these costs. The Institute has limited additional funds for assisting members with the costs of participation. These are prioritized for assisting persons from the Two-Thirds World. There is the possibility of partial support for a few other participants—with priority going to younger scholars (including doctoral students) who have little institutional support. To enquire about these funds please contact the North American Co-chair, Sarah Lancaster (slancaster@mtso.edu)
For Applicants from Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Oceana/Pacific
The Methodist Church of Great Britain sponsors a number of places at the Institute, covering participants’ registration and accommodation costs. We are keen to encourage a wide range of applications, reflecting the diversity of British Methodism and the Connexion’s commitment to justice, dignity, and solidarity. Participants are expected to offer a paper to one of the working groups, in line with the overall theme, and to share in the residential community of worship and scholarship for the duration of the Institute. Applications for membership of the 2024 Oxford Institute from British Methodists are warmly invited using the standard application process below. If further information or a conversation would be helpful in encouraging or shaping an application, please contact the British Co-chair, Martin Wellings (martin.wellings@methodist.org.uk) or Co-secretary, George Bailey (oimts.britishsecretary@gmail.com).
How to Make an Application
Invitations for membership the Fifteenth Institute have now been completed. There is a waiting list in case accepted members become unable to attend. Applicants are able to join this waiting list if they would like, using the application form, but with no guarantee of reply from the Institute. If a place becomes available, you will then be contacted.
Prospective members must complete an application form via the link below. You may need to create a Google account if you do not already have one:
If you have any difficulties accessing the online form or questions about the application process, please email one of the secretaries:
North American Co-Secretary – Tim Eberhart at timothy.eberhart@garrett.edu
British Co-Secretary – George Bailey at oimts.britishsecretary@gmail.com
Application Form Link
Note: The residence fee will be due no later than May 31, 2024, and you will be advised on how this should be cared for, if and when you are accepted as a member. Those paying in U.S. dollars will be responsible for the equivalent appropriate amount in pounds sterling, at the rate of exchange when payment is made.
The Oxford Institute 