LSM391 – Creating a Discipleship Growth Plan to See All the People

Church Administration & Leadership, Courses, Lay Servant Ministries

In the Great Commission, Jesus told his followers to ‘go and make disciples,’ We add programs, stream our services, blend our music, but do we provide intentional discipleship growth opportunities? This advanced Lay Service Ministries course will help you develop a means to promote intentional discipleship growth in your congregation. We will look at what it means to be a disciple, and you will be able to connect the stages of growth of a disciple with the characteristics of a disciple. By the end of the course, you will have the tools you need to develop an intentional discipleship system to revitalize and grow your congregation.

LSM392 – Lay Pastoral Caregiving

Care for Self and Others, Courses, Lay Servant Ministries

This new course will inform and empower your congregation to be able to provide lay pastoral caregiving alongside a supportive pastor. Offered in a two-week session, “Lay Pastoral Caregiving” is an important addition to church fellowship and community outreach. You will learn how to create a lay pastoral caregiving ministry with discernment and prayer, selecting and training those who feel called to this important ministry.

MEC104 – Safer Sanctuaries

Church Administration & Leadership, Courses, Lay Servant Ministries

This two-week course is for church leaders who have the responsibility of creating Safer Sanctuary policy and procedures for their settings. It is intended to equip leaders to create safe spaces for the entire congregation, including children, youth, vulnerable adults, and those in ministry with them. You will explore how to recruit a team with the task of creating a foundation of caring and nourishing for your church and community, and learn specific elements to include in Safer Sanctuaries.

LSM331 – Teaching Sacred Tension in Local Congregations

Biblical Studies, Courses, Lay Servant Ministries

This course is for laity and clergy who want to have a dialogue with scripture, even if they’ve never before thought of the Bible as a discussion. While the book provides a new framework for looking at repeating themes in scripture, the course will also teach us how to take this information back to our local church, deepening our ability to be in dialogue with the Bible and with each other.

MEC501 – Dangerous Religious Ideas

Courses, Theology

The recent emphasis on Christian nationalism underlines a fact that the faithful often don’t want to acknowledge: Religions include qualities that can make belief a dangerous and destructive force. Based on the book by Rabbi Dr. Rachel Mikva, “Dangerous Religious Ideas” will examine four issues in the Abrahamic faith traditions (Judaism, Islam, and Christianity). It will challenge assumptions about which religious ideas are dangerous, analyze the way in which religion causes harm and destruction, argue that all three Abrahamic religions developed methods for self-critique, and encourage examination of inter-religious ideas and engagement.

PT100 – Project Transformation: Camp Curriculum and Coaching

Children's Ministry, Courses

Your church could have a life-changing impact on children in your community through a fun-filled summer camp experience that emphasizes literacy, diversity, social emotional skills, and leadership development. Project Transformation (PT) has developed an online program that will guide your church or organization through the steps necessary to provide a quality summer camp for elementary-aged children. Personalized consultations will help you as you refine the curriculum to your group’s specific needs.

MEC273 – Old Testament Through a Different Lens: Ketuvim/Writings

Biblical Studies, Courses

This course examines the Ketuvim/Writings, sometimes described as “the least holy books of the Hebrew Bible,” by studying familiar Biblical writings through lenses other than what Christians often use. It examines the “historical books” of the Old Testament and connects them to the prophetic voices and Torah when appropriate. You’ll learn about the post-Exilic period when the Jews returned to Israel and began rebuilding, as well as looking at the poetic writings, histories (Ruth), and stories of woe (Job and Lamentations). The Ketuvim/Writings also introduces apocalyptic literature (Daniel) and its puzzling symbols and metaphors.

MEC364 – Preaching on Fractured Ground

Courses, Music & Worship Ministry

This course is for those who must preach in the wake of mass trauma. ‘Preaching on Fractured Ground’ is designed to help pastors and other leaders prepare sermons for “holding the reality of brokenness, pain, and traumatic loss on one side and hope, resurrection, and redemption on the other.” This course includes two sermon forms for preaching in the wake of mass trauma, and engages lament to honor narrative fracture while attending to brokenness and not losing sight of hope.

LSM265 – Loving People and Planet in God’s Name

Church Administration & Leadership, Courses, Lay Servant Ministries

This course invites learners to deepen their biblical, theological and scientific understanding of God’s call to care for creation and work for climate and environmental justice for all people. Learners will learn how to speak about the deepening climate crisis with love, and take active steps toward environmental justice, both personally and with others in their congregations and social settings.