Ministry in a COVID-Shaped World

We will focus on the latest research and writing in Children’s Ministry, as reported in the new book Bridging Theory and Practice in Children’s Spirituality. We’ll be reading the book together with discussions about what is included along with recorded conversations with a number of the authors about their chapters and their advice for moving forward in our new pandemic and post-pandemic reality.

INSTRUCTED BY:
Robert Keeley, Professor of Discipleship and Faith Formation

DATES OFFERED:
Session 1: June 1-19, 2020
Session 2: June 22-July 10, 2020
Session 3: July 13 - July 31, 2020

COST:
Audit: $104
for Credit: $514

As Christians and congregations are both racing to find new rhythms of life and worship during this pandemic, essential aspects of discipleship and corporate worship are surfacing. At the congregational level, church leaders are working hard to find ways of serving their communities amidst an enormous and unexpected decentralization and digitization of church gatherings. At the same time Christians are being pulled to live more locally (with the restrictions placed on geographic movement) even as they are pulled to be increasingly digitally plugged in (work, social interactions, etc.). In this course, learners engage with foundational theological ideas about the human person and their engagement in society and will also be exposed to transformative learning exercises that foster faithful, creative, and sustainable Christian practices during this pandemic.

INSTRUCTED BY:
Aaron Einfeld, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management
Cory Willson, Jake and Betsy Tuls Associate Professor of Missiology and Missional Ministry

DATES OFFERED:
Session 1: June 1 - 19, 2020
Session 2: June 22 - July 10, 2020

COST:
Audit: $104
for Credit: $514

Where is God in the midst of pandemics? How should the church and individual Christians respond to this crisis? Coming to grips with how past generations of Christians approached the challenges of pandemic disease in terms of its effects on their faith in God and their relations with their neighbors (including epic failures) helps us both understand the roots of our own challenges and shed light on possible responses developed by past generations of believers.

INSTRUCTED BY:
Karin Maag, Professor of the History of Christianity

DATES OFFERED:
Session 1: June 1 - 19, 2020

COST:
Audit: $104
for Credit: $514

Using student generated case studies from real time ministry in a Covid shaped world, this course will engage students in curated discussion about the pitfalls and opportunities for decision making and leadership. Students should expect to have concentrated reading and conversation about topics such as: adaptive/ technical leadership, system theory, a refresher on the basics of organizational change, and conversation about effective communication in times of change. Finally, students will be asked to think deeply about the leading of the Holy Spirit within their own hearts/ lives/ leadership context in this challenging season.

INSTRUCTED BY:
Geoff Vandermolen, Director of Vocational Formation
Jul Medenblik, President (co-instructor, session 2)

DATES OFFERED:
Session 1: June 1 - 19, 2020
Session 2: June 22-July 10, 2020

COST:
Audit: $104
for Credit: $514

This course introduces students to the concepts of individual trauma, collective trauma, and group trauma in relation to the global COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Special attention will be given to how caregivers, pastoral leadership, and faith communities can create resources to foster healthy environments for coping, sustaining, healing, and recovery.

INSTRUCTED BY:
Danjuma Gibson, Professor of Pastoral Care

DATES OFFERED:
Session 1: June 1 - 19, 2020

COST:
Audit: $104
for Credit: $514

This course begins with students examining their own emotional, spiritual, and behavioral histories related to money. Next, we examine six overarching biblical themes related to money and possessions as identified by Walter Brueggemann. Using these themes and our personal histories as springboards, we will explore how our ministry practices might engage the economic crisis unfolding with the coronavirus pandemic.

INSTRUCTED BY:
Aaron Einfeld, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management
Margaret Mwenda, Chief Operations Officer

DATES OFFERED:
Session 2: June 22-July 10, 2020
Session 3: July 13 - July 31, 2020

COST:
Audit: $104
for Credit: $514

The relationship between the church and culture is central to Christian discipleship and mission. The present disruption of daily life and work brought on by COVID presents profound challenges to society and opens up possibilities for Christians to return to the heart of the mission of God for which he has called us. Our relationship and responsibility to the geographic places and communities that God has placed us—especially the most vulnerable of society—must remain central to our daily practices of discipleship. In this course, learners will engage learn about the missio Dei described in Scripture and discover ways in which the Spirit of God invites us to participate in God’s work in the world.

INSTRUCTED BY:
Cory Willson, Jake and Betsy Tuls Associate Professor of Missiology and Missional Ministry

DATES OFFERED:
Session 2: June 22-July 10, 2020

COST:
Audit: $104
for Credit: $514

The DNA of Christian prayer is beautifully displayed in the 150 Psalms of the Hebrew scriptures. In times of anxiety and disruption, the Psalms are a profound source of strength, insight, and encouragement. When we pray them intentionally, we also nourish our memories, so that the Psalms are a ready-made soundtrack for the living of our lives at work, home, school, and play--as well as at worship. In this course, students will join faculty as apprentices of the Psalms, learning from ancient and modern approaches to praying the Psalms, from musical and artistic settings of the Psalms from all over the world, and from mentors in ministry who model how to put these Psalms in motion even in the most challenging ministry contexts.

INSTRUCTED BY:
John D. Witvliet, Professor of Worship

DATES OFFERED:
Session 3: July 13 - July 31, 2020

COST:
Audit: $104
for Credit: $514

En este curso estudiaremos algunos pasajes bíblicos que son útiles en la respuesta cristiana a las interrogantes creadas por la pandemia del COVID-19. Se utilizarán pasajes del Evangelio según San Mateo, cartas del apóstol Pablo y el libro del profeta Amós.

INSTRUIDO POR:
Prof. Invitado: Dr. David Cortés Fuentes.
Prof. Titular: Dr. María E. Cornou

FECHA:
Sesión 1: Junio 1-19, 2020. Las fechas se han cambiado a Agosto 3-21, 2020.

COSTO:
Oyente: $104
Por crédito académico: $514

En este curso reflexionaremos acerca de temas teológicos que son de relevancia al pensar la fe cristiana en el contexto de la pandemia del COVID-19. Se abordarán preguntas o problemas en tiempos de crisis desde la perspectiva de la teología del Espíritu Santo, la santificación, y la esperanza cristiana (escatología).

INSTRUIDO POR:
Prof. Invitado: Dr. Leopoldo Sánchez.
Prof. Titular: Dr. María E. Cornou

FECHA:
Sesión 2: Junio 22-Julio 10, 2020

COSTO:
Oyente: $104
Por crédito académico: $514

En este curso abordaremos los desafíos que enfrentan las congregaciones para desarrollar su ministerio en el contexto de la actual pandemia, y exploraremos una variedad de respuestas y recursos prácticos, con foco en los ministerios de adoración, predicación y educación cristiana


INSTRUIDO POR:
Prof. Dr. María E. Cornou, y la participación especial del Dr. Fernando Cascante

FECHA:
Sesión 3: Julio 13 - Julio 31, 2020

COSTO:
Oyente: $104
Por crédito académico: $514

Ministry now happens through devices and screens—but are you smart about technology? Be equipped to guide your church, ministry, or other organization using digital tools.

Can the COVID-19 pandemic be good for God’s creation? Consider this question as we evaluate the environmental impact of our lifestyle changes.

Christians are called by God to be effective citizens. Gain a better understanding of government and a toolkit to push the political system toward justice.

Faith, human behavior, and public health—what’s the connection? Discover how Christians and churches can positively promote healthy communities.

Many organizations have been in near-constant crisis mode during the pandemic. Learn the strategies and practices that reflect a faithful approach to crisis communication.

People love to watch sports, reminisce about the past, and debate about the future. Let’s talk about play and sports and how Christian faith helps us ask good questions and make sense of it all.

The church has experienced pandemics before. Understand the roots of our own challenges—and possible responses developed by past generations of believers.

Expore the ways that racism and xenophobia affect our experience of COVID-19—and discover ways to work against racial disparities even in the midst of a pandemic.

COVID-19 is not the first pandemic that humans have suffered—and survived. What can we learn from the ways that our predecessors responded to past crises?

You can find spiritual and emotional peace—even in the chaotic and confusing times. Discover ways to deepen your connection with God and live each moment intentionally

Incarcerated persons are being especially hard-hit by the pandemic. Discover how a vision for restorative justice can inform our response.

Younger generations are being hit hard by the effects of COVID-19 and social distancing practices. Learn how you can champion and encourage young people in the midst of a pandemic.

Feeling overwhelmed by the challenge of reaching your students in a socially-distanced world? Discover how you can use technology to help your students flourish emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.