The Bible was written in the context of societies that were deeply related to the natural world around them. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is filled with imagery and passages related to Creation and the natural world. This course—the next in Dio’s popular series of non-credit online adult education—introduces students to ways to read …
View course details “Reading the Bible in the Season of Creation: Christian Discipleship in a Time of Climate Crisis (Online)”
Dio is offering a range of online open enrolment courses that equip students for life in a changing church. These courses are aimed at anyone who is interested in deepening their Christian faith and knowledge, and cultivating leadership skills in the church. There is no homework or written assignments. All you need is a desire …
View course details “Online Open Enrolment Courses–Upcoming”
This online class introduces students to biblical Hebrew by closely reading and discussing the first chapters of the Bible: it is about beginnings—beginning Hebrew at the beginning of the Bible. Participants will learn the Hebrew alphabet and essential Hebrew grammar through weekly readings, tutorials, and homework on the texts of Genesis 1-3. No prior Hebrew …
View course details “Beginnings: Biblical Hebrew and Genesis 1-3”
Spiritual Practices for Today provides an experiential introduction to classical Christian spiritual disciplines that nurture intimacy with God. Becoming familiar with some of Christianity’s rich spiritual traditions, and through personal experimentation with various classical prayer-forms and disciplines, students will be better equipped to develop a prayerful Rule of Life. Because significant components of this course …
View course details “Spiritual Practices”
The Prophets Miriam her brother Moses, “the meekest man in Israel” (Numbers 12:3), lead Israel from slavery in Egypt to national identity under God. Miriam leads the people in celebrating God’s deliverance at the Red Sea (Exodus 15); Moses mediates God’s Laws to Israel. In 1st CCE Israel, the prophet Jesus teaches God’s laws as …
View course details “Leadership Qualities from Miriam & Moses to Jesus & Mary: Vision, Courage, & Meekness”
Sometimes the questions interrupt you in the middle of the day. Other times they keep you up at night. You wonder if you’re using all of your gifts or skills. Maybe you worry that you’ve plateaued. There’s a restlessness that’s hard to shake—a need to get unstuck, and now. For a growing number of faith …
View course details “Bi-Vocational Ministry: An Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Gigs, and Side Hustles”
Whether you’re high-tech, low-tech, or no-tech whatsoever, it’s nearly impossible to miss the shift that’s taking place in our culture. Curiosity is on the rise. Participation is sparking creativity and connection. For the first time ever, digital technology is shaping our values. Our churches need the capacity and will to engage with a changing culture—one …
View course details “Hybrid Ministry in a Post-Pandemic Church”
Preaching? Check. Teaching? Absolutely. Visiting the sick and working to make your community better? Yes, please. All of that may come naturally compared to supervising other people. If you feel like your education prepared you for everything but this critical part of the job, you’re not the only one. Supervision—especially within congregations and faith communities—requires …
View course details “Stepping Up to Supervision”
Do you ever find yourself talking about stewardship like it’s a game of Taboo? Whatever you do, don’t say the wrong word! Or maybe it’s felt like a tightrope walk. If you lean too hard into giving, your congregation might pull back. But if you back off, the money needed for ministry might not be …
View course details “Creating a Culture of Generosity”
Though preaching is one of the oldest Christian practices and has been a staple of worship for millennia, it is constantly in the process of change. Indeed, like the proverbial river that cannot be stepped into twice because the flow of the water is constantly remaking it, it is not possible to preach the same …
View course details ““Rethinking Preaching” Conference 2021: How Has the Pandemic Challenged Preaching?”