Modular Structure
The Fellowship is organised into four modules, which hold together different curriculum elements. These include residential life, classroom teaching, Venn Summer Conference, field trips and haerenga, work placements, and time for rest and reflection.
In Module I, incoming Fellows are introduced to the goals and big questions of the programme, welcomed into the rhythms of residential life, and inducted into the learning context. New friendships are formed around the dinner table and in the classroom as the new learning community is established. In these early weeks, the four initial teaching streams address Christian doctrine, historic understandings of personhood and community, a story of the gospel in Aotearoa, and Christian rhythms and practices. These work together to unearth key questions and concerns in pursuit of the wise life.
Beginning with Venn Summer Conference, Module II builds on the learning of Module I by considering the person and work of Jesus Christ, the nature and wellbeing of the political community, and further reflection on the rhythms and practices of the Christian life. In addition, Fellows continue to grow their understanding of the relationship between Christianity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi by visiting significant sites and considering the implications for their lives both now and in the future.
Module III provides Fellows with an opportunity to reflect on their learning from Modules I and II, through both classroom teaching and hands on experience. Each Fellow spends five weeks engaged in a work placement project that is designed to develop areas of vocational interest and Fellow’s capacity for service. In the classroom, Fellows explore a theology of work and what it means for their lives.
In Module IV, Fellows return to the classroom to grapple with what it means to live wisely within their families, workplaces, churches, and communities. Fellows are encouraged to reflect on the whole learning journey, how they have grown, and what this means for serving and leading in life beyond the Residential Fellowship.
The Classroom
The classroom teaching consists of different streams within the four modules. In these streams, Fellows engage with the disciplines of theology, biblical studies, history, philosophy, political philosophy, public policy, literature, and the arts.
The teaching programme is nested within the wider setting of residential life and the rhythms and practices of the Venn community. Learning and personal formation happens within a highly relational context. The small classes of up to twelve Fellows allow for free enquiry, discussion, and creative expression. Learning is active. Fellows are encouraged to interact with teaching staff and with one another to form their own views.
The various curriculum elements help Fellows develop their own answer to the guiding question of the Fellowship: How do I live wisely in twenty-first century Aotearoa, New Zealand?
Practical Details
The Residential Fellowship runs from November through to May.
2025/26 Dates
Sunday 16 November, 2025—Friday 29 May, 2026
2026/27 Dates
Scheduled to begin mid-November 2026, dates TBC. Get in touch to register your interest.
The programme is full-time and fully residential—Fellows live together, participating wholly in the day-to-day running of the home. The programme consists of four modules plus Venn Summer Conference. Classes run from 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. In addition, Monday and Thursday nights at the residences are reserved for hosting and evening discussions.
Several trips are also built into the Fellowship, including a retreat to start of the programme, Venn Summer Conference in early January, a haerenga to Waitangi, and a weekend retreat during Module III.
Please note, Module III ‘placements’ are decided through a process of discussion between staff, Fellows, and placement providers.
FAQs
You may have a few more questions about the Residential Fellowship. Check out the FAQs to see if they are answered there, or feel free to get in touch with us.