Two upcoming courses scheduled for early 2024 are being highlighted by the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, a collaboration of the Church of the Brethren and Bethany Theological Seminary. The courses may be taken for course credit, continuing education, or personal enrichment:
“Introduction to Pastoral Care” with instructor Debbie Eisenbise is offered in-person at Bethany Seminary in Richmond, Ind., from Jan. 16-19.
“From Reformation to Today” with instructor Joshua Brockway is offered online Jan. 24-March 19.
For more information and to register for an academy course, go to https://bethanyseminary.edu/brethren-academy/brethren-academy-course-listings.
Introduction to Pastoral Care
This overview course will emphasize the importance of formation as a pastoral caregiver, self-differentiation, scope of care, family and congregational systems, confession and forgiveness, death and grief, active listening, and prayer. Clergy seeking continuing education credit will receive 2 continuing education units upon successful completion of this course. The deadline to register is Dec. 5.
From Reformation to Today
The study of the past helps us comprehend what God has done and continues to do among us. This course will focus on the history of Christianity from the 1500s up to the present day. Beginning with the decades just prior to the Protestant Reformation, the course will explore how Christian belief, practice, and organization took multiple forms in Western Christianity. Participants will see how these various systems of Christianity themselves changed in the contexts of colonialism, world war, and globalization. Clergy seeking continuing education credit will receive 2 continuing education units upon successful completion of this course. The deadline to register is Dec. 19.
More upcoming courses
“Practical Ministry Colloquium,” online Feb. 14-April 9, 2024, with instructors Carrie Eikler and Audrey Hollenberg-Duffey
“Church of the Brethren Polity,” a Zoom intensive offered through the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center, March 22-23 and April 26-27, 2024, with instructor Randy Yoder (registration deadline: Feb. 16, 2024; to register, contact Karen Hodges at karenhodges@svmccob.org)
“Polarization as an Opportunity for Ministry,” a hybrid course including onsite time at Bethany Seminary and online sessions, April 11-13, 2024, with instructor Russell Haitch (registration deadline: March 7, 2024)
“Cultivating an Everyday Faith,” online April 17-June 11, 2024, with instructor Joan Daggett (registration deadline: March 13, 2024)
“Preaching,” onsite in Grand Rapids, Mich., as the directed independent study in conjunction with the Ministers’ Association event during Annual Conference, July 2-3, 2024, with instructor Audrey Hollenberg-Duffey (registration deadline: May 28, 2024)
“Interim Ministry,” online July 31-Sept. 24, 2024
“Church of the Brethren History,” online Aug. 21-Oct. 15, 2024
— For more information and to register for an academy course, go to https://bethanyseminary.edu/brethren-academy/brethren-academy-course-listings. Questions may be directed to Audrey Hollenberg-Duffey, coordinator for English-Language Training Programs, at holleau@bethanyseminary.edu or 765-983-1810.
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