This course examines inclusive, accessible, transfiguring, and connectional forms of church (i.e. Fresh Expressions). Students will be immersed in the history and theology of the Fresh Expressions movement.
This is a practical course in missional ecclesiology. While a rigorous exploration of missiology will be an aspect of the course, it is focused on praxis. Students will hone skills in contextual intelligence, trauma-informed evangelism, anti-racist discipleship, and incarnational church planting.
Online classes for facilitating dialogue and answering questions will be held:
- Mon., February 1, 2027; 12-1:30pm EST
- Mon., March 8, 2027; 12-1:30pm EST
- Facilitator: Michael Beck
The two Corinthian letters provide deep insights into Paul’s pastoral theology. This course examines how Paul addresses the contentious issues which arose over the course of his engagement with Christians in this Greek city. The roots of congregational issues and conflicts in their social and cultural context is our principal focus. However, understanding of this historical context, which is essential to exegetical interpretation of scripture, is often helped by drawing parallels to the social and cultural contexts of Christian communities today.
Required Zoom meetings:
- Mon., January 11, 2027; 7:30-9:00pm EST
- Mon., February 15, 2027; 7:30-9:00pm EST
- Instructor: Russell Sisson
This course focuses on preaching the gospel from the Old and New Testaments.
Students will be able to:
- Articulate a theology of proclamation.
- Exegete a variety of biblical passages for preaching.
- Evaluate sermons for biblical integrity, theological soundness, internal logic, and delivery, and appropriate insights gained from the evaluation of their own sermons.
- Utilize a variety of forms for preaching.
- Incorporate ALL of the senses into the preparation for and proclamation of scripture for preaching.
Required online meetings in Weeks 6-10. Students are required to participate in each Zoom session. Please plan your schedule accordingly.
- Wed., Feb. 10, 2027; 10am-12pm EST
- Wed., Feb. 17, 2027; 10am-12pm EST
- Wed., Feb. 24, 2027; 10am-12pm EST
- Wed., Mar. 3, 2027; 10am-12pm EST
- Thur., Mar. 4, 2027; 10am-12pm EST
- Wed., Mar. 10, 2027; 10am-12pm EST
- Thur., Mar. 11, 2027; 10am-12pm EST
- Facilitator: Robert Brown
This course will cover over three hundred years of historical developments that contribute to the formation of The United Methodist Church. Special emphasis will be given to the formation of the Wesleyan heritage in the eighteenth century, the adaptation of that tradition to the American scene during the Revolutionary period, and the forces that have shaped Methodism through the last three centuries.
- Facilitator: Phil Jamieson
This course in United Methodist Polity is designed to engage students in a dialog on the nature of the church and its ministry, the organization of the church and its theology, and the history of the church that has formed us as the community of faith we are today.
- Facilitator: Phil Jamieson
This course introduces biblical interpretation. Attention is given to the inspiration, formation, and function of the canon and to the development of a methodology of interpretation consistent with the nature of scripture. The importance of the Bible as a witness to the life and faith of ancient Israel and earliest Christianity will be emphasized.
Students will be able to:
- Articulate the place of scripture in the life of the congregation and the role of the pastor in interpretation.
- Understand the inspiration and formation of the canon and its authority within the community of faith.
- Understand and apply historical, literary, and theological approaches to various types of literature in scripture using Genesis, Hosea and Amos, Mark, and Philippians.
- Develop a method of exegesis consistent with the nature and authority of the Bible.
- Facilitator: Chris Haynes
This course introduces the student to theological reflection in the Wesleyan tradition. Basic terms, tasks, and methods of Christian theology will be introduced. Representative classical themes will be defined and illustrated. The course provides a foundation for further historical and theological study.
Students will be able to:
- Examine their understanding of faith, sin, salvation, grace, and the place of doctrine in the life of the Church.
- Use and understand classical theological terms and themes.
- Critically consider the sources of theological reflection, including scripture, tradition, experience and reason.
- Reflect theologically as a resource for pastoral ministry.
- Instructor: Brian Germano
This course grounds the student in the theology and core practices of personal and congregational formation and discipleship.
Students will be able to:
- Articulate a theological basis for the Wesleyan emphasis on spiritual disciplines and practice them as means of grace.
- Explain and implement the General Rules and the practices of small groups in a congregation.
- Educate and resource a congregation in the disciplines Christian formation.
- Organize congregations to help people discern their callings and gifts for ministry
Online meeting: Optional, but highly recommended Zoom meeting:
- Wed., March 10, 2027; 6-7pm EST
- Facilitator: Robert Winstead
This course forms the student’s identity as pastoral leader and change agent in congregations, The United Methodist Church, and the world.
Students will be able to:
- Identify and understand the attributes of good leaders, biblically and theologically.
- Evaluate and strengthen their own identities and skills as pastoral leaders.
- Explain and reflect on the nature of change in the local congregation and wider society.
- Implement visioning, strategizing, and planning processes in their local congregations.
Online meeting: Optional, but highly recommended Zoom meeting:
- Wed., March 10, 2027; 7:15-8:15pm EST
- Facilitator: Robert Winstead
This course interprets the critical events, developing institutions, and traditions of Israel. Attention is given to the earliest Covenants, to the Exodus, to the rise of the monarchy, and to other events up to the eighth century prophets.
Students will be able to:
- Articulate a historical overview of the experience and faith of ancient Israel.
- Exegete selected passages that illustrate crucial turning points in the history of Israel.
- Apply exegesis to preaching, other pastoral responsibilities, and issues of the present day.
Online meeting: Optional, but highly recommended Zoom meeting:
- Mon., January 25, 2027; 7:30-9:00pm EST
- Instructor: Russell Sisson
This course focuses on the history and theology of the Church through the first five centuries. Using primary sources, students will reflect on significant individuals, events, and the articulation of the Christian faith during this period.
Students will be able to:
- Understand and articulate the doctrine of the Trinity, and the historical debates in the early Church around the person and nature of Christ.
- Understand and articulate a doctrine of salvation in light of the controversies of the early church.
- Understand the history and significance of the creeds and ecumenical councils.
- Appropriate historical theology for pastoral ministry.
- Facilitator: William McDonald
This course focuses on developing the student’s competency as an administrator in a United Methodist congregation.
Students will be able to:
- Articulate a biblical and theological understanding of polity.
- Understand and explain the polity of The United Methodist Church, including conferencing, oversight, and discipline.
- Articulate the nature of stewardship biblically and theologically.
- Identify techniques and develop skills as effective administrators of local churches, including financial management.
- Facilitator: Phil Jamieson
This course focuses on the content and message of the Gospels, as well as the theological perspectives of the Gospel writers. The practice of exegesis will be emphasized.
Students will be able to:
- Understand the origin, message, and purpose of each Gospel.
- Exegete this form of literature.
- Apply exegesis to preaching, other pastoral responsibilities, and issues of the present day.
Online meeting: Optional, but highly recommended Zoom meeting:
- Mon., February 1, 2027; 7:30-9:00pm EST
- Instructor: Russell Sisson
This course covers the significant individuals, decisive events, and theology of the Methodist movement. Utilizing categories of grace, faith, and holiness, the student will appropriate the Wesleyan heritage.
Students will be able to:
- Understand and reflect on the movements, major figures, and events that led to the eighteenth century revivals, especially the lives and ministries of John and Charles Wesley.
- Understand and articulate the vision of holiness and the theology of grace as it shaped the Wesleys, and the structures of the Methodist movement.
- Identify and discuss significant theological and historical developments in American Methodism, including ordination and episcopacy.
- Reflect theologically on their Wesleyan heritage and identity.
- Instructor: Brian Germano
This course introduces students to the theology and practices of evangelism as an expression of the mission of God.
Students will be able to:
- Reflect on and articulate the meaning of the Gospel and an understanding of the Church as bearers of God's Word to the world.
- Ground a theology of evangelism in scripture, the Gospel, and the mission of God.
- Interpret the Wesleyan heritage of evangelism.
- Reflect on and implement strategies and models for evangelism by the congregation.
- Facilitator: Jeff Conklin-Miller