The School for Parish Development 2022 Summer Intensive is scheduled to happen as follows: (1) Virtual Sessions: July 25. August 1, 8, 15, 22; (2) ‘In-Person Sessions: August 28 to September 2, 2022 (Sunday to Friday). IMPORTANT: Registration includes all sessions and cannot be done for either virtual or in-person sessions only.  

This course is an introduction to Christian apologetics and its relationship to evangelism. The course will teach the biblical, theological, and historical foundations of Christian apologetics. Additionally, the course will serve as a primer of cultural exegesis and cultural hermeneutics, the goal of which is to equip students with the critical analytical tools to engage …
View course details “Introduction to Christian Apologetics”

Jesus’s strategy for growing His church is simple and yet vastly misunderstood, unknown and/or not implemented. If ALL of us as disciples of Jesus live into this mandate the way it was intended, we could witness a revival, revitalization and growth of our communities of faith. Course will be taught in person at VST, and …
View course details “The Great Co-Mission: Re-Framing Jesus’ Comprehensive Strategy for Church Growth”

The course will explore the practice of Christian preaching as a primary medium for “the Gospel” – the saving activity of God in the world – and will provide an opportunity to reclaim “grace” as the organizing principle for proclamation. Course will be taught in person at VST, and via Zoom for distance students (degree …
View course details “Preaching and the Power of the Gospel: Grace, Sacramentality and Proclamation”

We’ve been hearing from spiritual leaders and Jesus-followers all across Canada that they’re weary. For so many, the pandemic and the difficulties of this present moment in Canada have simply caused the reservoir to go dry. Pastors, planters, priests, and ministry leaders give so much of their time offering a meal to others, they often …
View course details “The Table, New Leaf Network National Event”

Gain an introductory grasp of the central doctrines and tasks of Christian theology. Learn to think doctrinally in the context of our current moment, situating theology within the industrialized West’s post-Christian context. Reflect on Christianity’s central doctrines in relation to a contemporary society that’s constituted by deep pluralisms and where the logic of Christian thought …
View course details “Systematic Theology Overview”

A devotional practice of remembering and telling the Word together, with Linnea Good. Open to all  We will learn about oral tradition in the time that the Word was composed, how parts of the Bible were first composed by “tellers” who had “listeners” and how that affects our understanding of their message. We’ll learn a …
View course details “Telling (the Bible) by Heart through Lent”

“In the beginning was the Word: The Wisdom and Witness of Biblical Storytelling” Our Annual Festival of Telling Every year, storytellers from across Canada, along with India, the USA and abroad, gather to hone their storytelling skills and repertoire in a 2 1/2-day Festival of Telling. This Festival Gathering will take place April 22-24, 2022 – and …
View course details “2022 Festival of Telling”

What does it mean to lead during a time of religious, sociocultural, and environmental upheaval? What can churches do differently to reflect and nurture gospel values and God’s dream of a just, reconciled, Spirit-filled world? This course will use the vision and concepts of Beloved Community to interrogate our approach to mission. Participants will articulate …
View course details “Changing Church: Missional Practices and/for Beloved Community”

Strengthen your entrepreneurial leadership and leave empowered to take risks, seek opportunities, and pursue innovation in your vocation of organizational leadership. Discover the essential role entrepreneurial leadership plays in a rapidly changing world, seeing how it can bring renewal and long-term health to any organization. With a main focus on business and a supportive study …
View course details “Entrepreneurship: Innovations in Business and Not-for-Profit”