The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership has announced courses for fall 2015, and winter and spring 2016. Courses are open to Training in Ministry (TRIM) and Education for Shared Ministry (EFSM) students, pastors seeking continuing education units, and all interested persons.
Registration and more information are at www.bethanyseminary.edu/academy or call the academy office at 800-287-8822 ext. 1824. For a Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center course, as noted below, contact SVMC@etown.edu or 717-361-1450 or find forms at www.etown.edu/svmc .
Note that while the academy continues to accept students beyond the registration deadline for each course, on that deadline date it is determined whether enough students have registered to be able to offer the course. Many courses have required pre-course readings, so students need to be sure to allow enough time in advance of the course to complete the readings. Students should not purchase texts or make travel plans until the registration deadline has passed, and a course confirmation is received.
Fall 2015
Oct. 29-31: Bethany Seminary Presidential Forum directed independent study unit (DISU) on “Just Peace,” at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., with instructor Debbie Roberts. The registration deadline is Sept. 29.
Nov. 9: SVMC Academic Symposium (DISU) on “The Gospel of Mark and the 21st Century,” at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., with keynote speaker Dan Ulrich and instructor Connie Maclay. The registration deadline is Oct. 1.
Nov. 12-15: “Preaching Peace, Justice, and Care for Creation,” a weekend intensive at McPherson (Kan.) College with instructor David Radcliff. The registration deadline is Oct. 12.
Winter/Spring 2016
Jan. 11-13 and 25 and Feb. 1: “Pastoral Care,” a January intensive at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., with instructor Carolyn Stahl Bohler. The dates of Jan. 25 and Feb. 1 are Adobe Connect multi-framed video conference sessions. The registration deadline is Dec. 11.
Jan. 18-March 11: “Introduction to the New Testament,” an online course with instructor Matt Boersma. The registration deadline is Dec. 18.
March 10-13: “Church of the Brethren Polity and Practice,” a weekend intensive at McPherson (Kan.) College with instructor Jim Tomlonson. The registration deadline is Feb. 10.
April 4-May 27: “Chronicles,” an online course with instructor Steve Schweitzer. The registration deadline is March 4.
May (exact days to be announced): Intercultural Education and Travel Seminar to Kenya with instructor Russell Haitch.
Anticipated courses for the summer and fall of 2016 include an Annual Conference DISU with keynote speaker Father John Dear on the topic “Walking to Peace,” “Introduction to Theology,” “Church of the Brethren History,” and “Introduction to Old Testament.”