Upper Room

Upper Room is a leadership development programme supporting the growth of leaders who lead with faith, think biblically and relate graciously. It trains leaders in an integrated way: combining theology and practice; considering the whole of life; and transforming hearts and minds. Upper Room is centred on a discipleship group of 6-8 people, facilitated by a mentor, high quality self-study materials and regular day conferences.

Upper Room provides…

  • Integrated learning: leadership learning and theological education.

  • Strong partnership: churches are working closely with the Upper Room team.

  • Flexible format: based around discipleship groups, with a range of self-study resources.

  • Mentors who are disciplers: learning for life, guided by seasoned leaders.

  • Robust approach: evangelical and considered, encouraging critical thinking in a relational context.

Want more detail?

To get a feel for the level of study involved, click below for a sample set of self-study notes, a course brochure and content overview.

Interested in Upper Room 2024-26?

Applications have now closed for the 2024-26 Upper Room cohort.

How to express interest for 2026-28: Please get in touch via upperroom@advancechurches.uk and we will have one of our team talk with you to consider appropriate next steps.

Who is Upper Room for?

  • Upper Room is open to church members of churches within S&L Advance. Each participant should be in active mentoring relationship in their local church. We ask for a reference from your church leader.

  • Upper Room works best when you are already serving, or being open to serve, in some leadership role.

  • Upper Room usually follows succesful completion of School of Leadership, or equivalent.

Dates

Dates for Day Conferences for the 2022-24 Upper Room cohort also served as taster events for future students. Both taster events have now happened.

Dates for Day Conferences for the 2024-26 cohort are

  • Sat 21 September 2024

  • Sat 11 January 2025

  • Sat 10 May 2025 (now confirmed)

  • Sat 13 September 2025

  • Sat 10 January 2026

  • Sat 18 April 2026

Find out more

For more information contact one of the following:

  • Core team (current): Steve Jones, Andy O’Connell, Paul Meathrel

  • Other mentors: Al Barnett (22/24 and 24/26), Nick White (22/24), Raych Bloomfield (24/26)

The course fee (2024/26) is £700 per year, which covers the costs of day conferences, the administration necessary, and time for those who support and oversee the course and its mentors. Local churches often subsidise £300 of this: please discuss this with your local leadership team.