Why the Ridley Institute?
The Ridley Institute seeks to strengthen the church for mature Christian faith and discipleship in our secular age. Because we believe the local church is God’s primary plan for spiritual growth and equipping, we partner with churches and dioceses to train pastors and leaders through online courses and other discipleship resources.
History
The Ridley Institute began as the St. Andrew’s School of Theology in 2009 and was renamed “The Ridley Institute,” in the Spring of 2012. The Institute’s namesake is the martyred Bishop of London, Nicholas Ridley. Upon his death Bishop Ridley was encouraged by his good friend and fellow bishop Hugh Latimer, with these words:
“Be of good cheer, Master Ridley, and play the man, for we shall this day light such a candle in England as I trust by God’ grace shall never be put out.” We seek to fan the flame of the Gospel faith that Ridley and many others gave their lives for through the work of the Ridley Institute.
What We Believe
We are committed to the authority of the Bible as God’s written Word for us. We also are anchored to the historic and global church by upholding the Apostles Creed and Nicene Creed as necessary to be received by Christians and as thoroughly Biblical. In addition to the creeds, we maintain that the Articles of Religion of the Church of England are authoritative for Anglicans today, setting forth a precise confession of faith on many of the great points of Christian doctrine.
Leadership
THE MOST REV’D STEPHEN D. WOOD – Archbishop and Theological Advisor
Steve Wood is the Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church in North America and the Bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas. Archbishop Wood upholds the importance of biblical and theological education and believes that this happens best in the local church. With the aim of presenting every Christian mature in Christ, he founded the School of Theology at St. Andrew’s ~ Mt. Pleasant, S.C., which is now the Ridley Institute.
THE RT. REV’D CANON DR. ASHLEY NULL – Canon Theologian Anglican Diocese of the Carolinas
Anglican Bishop of North Africa
Ashley’s teaching and scholarly work focuses on the grace and gratitude theology of the English Reformation, and its lead reformer, Thomas Cranmer. Ashley is the author of Thomas Cranmer’s Doctrine of Repentance: Renewing the Power to Love and is currently working on a critical edition of Cranmer’s “Great Commonplaces.”
THE VERY REV’D PROF. CHRIS HANCOCK – Theological Advisor
Chris spans the world of academia, pastoral ministry and diplomacy as a theologian, advisor, mentor and specialist on Asia. He taught theology, Anglicanism and spirituality at Virginia in his 30s, having previously taught at Cambridge University. Since then he has been Vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge, a Cathedral Dean, and for the last fifteen years Director of research institutions in Oxford and London.
THE REV’D CANON RANDY FORRESTER – Theological Advisor
Randy serves as Rector of St. Andrew’s Church Mt. Pleasant. He is also the Canon for Theological Formation for the Anglican Diocese of the Carolinas.
THE REV’D DR. SAM FORNECKER – Director
Sam serves as Associate Rector for Teaching and Equipping at St Andrew’s Church, and as affiliate faculty with Trinity Anglican Seminary. He stewards the The Ridley Institute through teaching and research, most recently focused on The Book of Common Prayer.
SMITH PODRIS – Program Coordinator
Smith currently serves as Ridley’s Program Coordinator, organizing and providing communication for our live classes and seminary courses. When she’s not working with The Ridley Institute, she’s a working visual artist and writer, and she teaches as an adjunct professor with Charleston School of Law. Smith holds a Juris Doctorate from Vanderbilt Law School and a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Charleston. She lives in Mount Pleasant with her children, and is a member of the worship team at St. Andrew’s Church.
