Many people are familiar with the concept of an overarching narrative (storyline) when looking at the history of our faith: from the Old Testament, through to the New and on into the history of the church, we can see God at work. However, when people think of, say, the Old Testament, disconnected images come to …
View course details “Christian Foundations I From Abraham to Jesus”

Faith formation research is pointing us to focus on inter-generational ministry being the heart of the faith community. This short intensive will focus on specific spiritual practices and other rituals that sustain a worshipping community and nurture the faith formation of all ages. Students will spend time engaging in and leading spiritual practices. We will …
View course details “Inter-Generational Worship”

“The success of an intervention depends on the interior condition of the intervener.” (William O’Brien) Is this true?  If it is, it could be read to say, “The success of a church depends on the interior condition of its leadership.”  How are we as leaders (whether paid or lay) – attending to our interior journeys of faith, …
View course details “Ministry from the Inside Out”

This year, Forma is taking inspiration from Isaiah 43:19: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (ESV). Forma leaders are working with Learning Forte to design and pilot an entirely new model of …
View course details “Hybrid Forma Conference, 2024: A Way in the Wilderness”

Transform Your Ministry in Just One Year with Theologically-Sound Training & Leadership Development From preaching and teaching to providing pastoral care or designing worship, faith leaders, like you, serve their congregations in various roles. Often, you do so without the theological background or seminary degrees your colleagues may have. With the School for Lay Ministry, …
View course details “School for Lay Ministry Learning Community”

Let us take you by the hand and guide you through the different paths of faith. What you’ll learn Have you ever felt “Stuck” in your faith? In “Overflow: An Introduction to Growing in Faith,” we’re here to support you every step of the way. Join our vibrant community of learners who, just like you, …
View course details “Overflow: An Introduction to Growing in Faith”

Unlocking the Future of Community Engagement with Fresh Expressions What you’ll learn What could it look like to nurture thriving, fully-developed faith communities that live somewhere permanently outside the confines of traditional church buildings? In “Starting a Fresh Expression of Church,” we invite you to embark on the transformative journey of redefining how you perceive …
View course details “Starting a Fresh Expression of Church”

An exploration of fundamental questions that arise in the search for meaning in our current world; for a sense of worth, belonging and purpose. Areas of study include: pandemic effects; gender and racial equality; challenges of aging; climate collapse; social divisiveness, among othrs. Implications for personal growth and social involvement. Resources are drawn from the …
View course details “BASIC LIFE ISSUES: AN EXPLORATION OF WORTH, BELONGING AND PURPOSE IN OUR LIVES”

This course is both a “how to” and a “how come” investigation of leadership in business, not-for-profits, and churches—in both large and small enterprises. Leadership is understood as a relationship of influence in which goals are accomplished and followership is gained. Building on a solid theological foundation, the professor will explore dimensions of leadership particularly …
View course details “The Soul of Leadership: Developing the Spirituality of Influence”

The class time of supervised Ministry A focuses upon the inner life of a pastor and Christian leader. We will be discerning God’s invitation to prayer at this particular point in time of our relationship with God, and what forms of prayer the Spirit might be inviting us to explore as a growth edge. We will …
View course details “Supervised Ministry A: Contemplative Ministry”