This course offering begins our exploration of the soil, roots, and pathways of the Eastern Orthodox understanding of the spiritual life. Course will be taught in person at VST, and via Zoom for distance students (degree students must connect synchronously if studying via Zoom)
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”
Transformational Leadership is absolutely dependent on the leader’s own ongoing transformation and ability to lead others into a process of shared transformation through ongoing learning and navigating loss. Course will be taught in person at VST, and via Zoom for distance students (certificate & degree students must connect synchronously)
This course is an opportunity to learn from the story and theological writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Confessing Church of the mid-20th century in Germany. In the context of the struggle for faithfulness in the midst of the Nazi era, we will learn how Bonhoeffer’s theological commitments flowed into his spirituality and political resistance. …
View course details “Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Spirituality of Confessing Christ & Resisting Tyranny”
This course will explore the implications of the church’s relationship to residential schools for Christian theology. We will cover the history of the schools in the Canadian context as well as the role of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the collection of first-person testimony. Together we will take up questions of theology …
View course details “Theology after Residential Schools”
This course will go through the gospel of Mark with a political theology perspective. Drawing from people like Ched Myers, Richard Hays, and Wink, the aim is to give students the best damn bible study they ever had. Course will be taught in person at VST, and via Zoom for distance students (degree students must …
View course details “The Gospel of Mark: A Political Theological Bible Study”
We will examine the personality, history and ecclesiastical career of Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis) and will explore two key primary texts of his reforming pontificate. Course will be taught in person at VST, and via Zoom for distance students (degree students must connect synchronously if studying via Zoom)
Through this course we will focus on what Merton said about his public vocation as a Christian writer-monk in the face of social crisis, and how that communicative vocation continues in relation to present-day readers. This class takes place in intensive-format over 3 days – either in person at VST or via Zoom (synchronous):
This course will explore the history and development of race in North American contexts, including the role of Christianity. It will demonstrate the importance and execution of race conversation with children and youth. It will include personal practices to engage children, youth, and adults in productive work toward racial justice. Course will be taught in …
View course details “A Spirituality of Race for Children and Youth (and Those Who Love Them)”
This course will present Augustine of Hippo’s (354-430) perspective on heart therapy and health as prescribed by his Confessions. Course will be taught in person at VST, and via Zoom for distance students (degree students must connect synchronously if studying via Zoom)