This course is not just for women! The workshop is about how Christians in different cultures, different time periods, and different social locations have told their faith stories. Amy Oden, professor of the History of Christianity and Dean of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, presents video lectures on six Christian women who wrote about their faith. The workshop explores how we, as members of the Christian family, tell our “family stories.” It also helps us to examine our own faith and to articulate our own experiences of God.
Lessons Include:
- Perpetua: Rebellious Daughter (2nd century Carthage)
- Macrina: Scientist and Pastor (4th century Asia Minor)
- Juana Inez de la Cruz: Intellectual in the Kitchen (17th century Mexico)
- Susanna Wesley: First Theologian of the Methodists (18th century England)
- Jarena Lee: Preaching Pioneer (19th century United States)
- Georgia Harkness: Theologian for the People (20th century United States)
Each week’s study consists of two weekly readings and three or four video segments (under 10 minutes each) plus online discussion for each video. Participants login at the time of day which works best for each one’s own schedule while still interacting with one another and the facilitator of the course. Plan on roughly 2-6 hours online weekly engaging with the materials and the other students. No live or set meeting times are involved.
1.5 CEUs are available.
Quick Info:
Number of weeks: 8
Price: $100
CEUs: 1.5
Required books: No
Blackboard: Yes
Zoom: No
Certification or Series: Yes (Wesley Academy for Advanced Christian Studies)
Read course description for details.
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Post image: Wildenranna ( Wegscheid / Lower Bavaria ). Our Lady of Sorrows parish church ( 1906 ) – Stained glass window showing Mary Magdalene. Photograph by Wolfgang Sauber.
Past Learners Said…
“I really loved the format of incorporating our stories into the history of the Christian story. It was also very interesting learning about the early stories we heard. I also liked how we learned to share our own stories during our “I speak of God” journaling.”
“Darla is the ultimate instructor. She responds to each post, follows conversations, and posts her own responses to each question. She took this walk with us and guided us. That’s what made the course so wonderful was her level of engagement.”
“This course is a wonderful addition to the Wesley Academy Certificate program. The information was important to know if we’re interested in understanding the influences of women in Methodism. We rarely hear about their contributions, so it was uplifting and invigorating to read of them. My advice to other would be students in this course…Just Do It.”
“The facilitator responded to our posts in a timely manner, always providing positive reinforcement for our views and sharing her own. Her responses weren’t restricted to just a line or two. She obviously took time to think about what we said and to thoughtfully respond. I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated her work on our behalf.”
“I liked Prof. Oden’s lectures. She is an excellent lecturer and very knowledgeable. She defends women’s rights. I learned a lot about women I hadn’t heard of before, like Georgia Harkness and Macrina. I enjoyed hearing about women of different time periods.”
About the Instructor
Mrs. Darla M. Thieler is the founder of Remnant Ministries, a multi-faceted outreach ministry founded in 1982. A Local Evangelist and Certified Lay Speaker with the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church, she serves as a Bible teacher, conference leader, inspirational speaker, praise & worship leader, composer, theater arts performer/director, and much more. She began teaching with BeADisciple in 2017 where she has received certifications in instruction and evangelism, and she has online teaching experience with her local community college. Darla also serves as Director of Music for Calvin United Presbyterian Church (PCUSA).
The heart of Remnant Ministries began with the ministry at the juvenile detention centers. Raised in the United Methodist tradition, Darla’s life changed forever when she attended a Christian concert at a district event at 13. Believing that every person is precious to God, Darla and her husband, George, continue sharing this same message of hope at every opportunity. Darla’s heartfelt desire is to bring glory and honor to God. Her prayer is that through the Living Word of God, others will come to a saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and all God’s children will be encouraged to make a deeper commitment to grow in their relationship with Him.
About the Program Director
Michael Beardslee began working for the Institute for Discipleship and BeADisciple in early 2016, developing and facilitating courses for the new Wesley Lay Academy. This was a natural transition for him: He had been the Institute for Discipleship’s Visiting Scholar Southwestern College, then continued the work he began with BeADisciple.
Michael is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Fuller Theological Seminary (intercultural studies), working under Pentecostal theologian Amos Yong. His doctoral research concerns the way Christians from different cultural locations relate to one another in a globalized Christianity. His writing was featured most recently in “Breaking the Marriage Idol: Reconstructing Our Cultural and Spiritual Norms” (IVP, 2018), and in the Religion and Theology Journal (Brill, 2017).
In additional to his doctoral studies Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in religion and philosophy from Friends University, an M.A. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and a Th.M. in systematic theology from Trinity International University.
