Trauma research clearly outlines the impact of colonialism on First Nations peoples of North America. This course will examine the neurobiology of trauma and the spiritual aspect of colonialism as a curse. The unity of ancestral law and the teachings of Christ are a solid resource for healing, wholeness and wellness.

Whenever the church has aligned itself with worldly, coercive power, it ends up on the wrong side of important justice issues. But when the church cooperates with God’s power through his presence among the least powerful, its witness for Jesus transforms the world and the church into a better place. Join us for a 4-week …
View course details “Reckoning with Power: Why the Church Fails When It’s on the Wrong Side of Power; Book Club with David Fitch”

Although despair is not a new phenomenon, the rates of suicide and mental distress keep increasing. As people of faith, we must proclaim hope for the hurting in ways that are action-oriented, Christ-centered, and clinically appropriate. Join us this Spring for an empowering look at suicide, mental illness and distress, and the role the Church …
View course details “Understanding Suicide and Mental Health”

Many who have served in various ministry capacities (e.g., as pastors, missionaries, lay church leaders, etc…) are intimately familiar with the potential dark realities of the ministry environment. Ministry is often fraught with many difficulties and challenges, imposing significant stress upon one’s spiritual life, marital and family relationships, and upon one’s emotional and physical well-being. …
View course details “Spiritual & Emotional Formation for Christian Leadership: Research and Practice”

How many of us were told anger is inappropriate? Anger is both an energy and a gift. It is like gas to the automobile: it fuels us to move forward. Anger can be a powerful tool that motivates us to rise to a challenge. The difficulty is when we abuse anger and use it in …
View course details “The Gift of Anger Retreat”

We were created for relationship. God’s word in creation, “It is not good that the man should be alone,” echoes out to all of us. Today, we find ourselves in many, many relationships, with intimate partners, parents, siblings, children, friends, colleagues, and church-friends. How would our lives be different if those relationships were more healthy? …
View course details “The Boundaries Course”

Our current culture is fraught with conflict and tension. People often describe “walking on eggshells” or the inability to hold a respectful conversation with others. Disputes arise within communities, the workplace, families and far too often within our church congregations. Situations seem insurmountable and people become intractable. The focus of this class is to prepare …
View course details “Conflict Resolution Jesus Style”

This course focuses on practical and theological foundations for engaging authentically and meaningfully with communities where life experiences, identities, and/or demographic characteristics reveal a social divide that can preclude others (and ourselves) from recognizing their full humanity.  Readings and other course content integrate literature from social science, practical theology, and personal narratives of experience.  The …
View course details “Pastoral Care with Marginalized Communities”

All current programs and all upcoming courses should be listed on the web page indicated here.  

Why do Christians professing a high view of biblical authority appeal to the same biblical texts and arrive at conclusions widely at variance with one another on theological and ethical issues? What accounts for such disagreements? This course offers a theological framework through which we will look at various interpretations of the Bible, evaluating claims and …
View course details “The Uses of Scripture in Theology: Examining Slavery, Sexuality, and Male-Female Relations in Light of Divine Love”