Certificate Program in Christian Formation

January 2015

Cross and Christ Chapel at Seminary of the Southwest

The Certificate Program in Christian Formation is designed to meet the needs of youth ministers and Christian educators, who seek to deepen their understanding of the Christian theological tradition. Designed as continuing education for practitioners in the field, the program empowers students to be more able ministers.

Join us January 19 - 23, 2015

The Rev. Mary Earle: "Marvelously Made: Reflecting on God's Good Gift of the Body" 

We humans have a primary habitat: the body. And we Christians follow a tradition that tells us that our bodies are central to identity, to formation and to ministry. In our time together we will spend time with scripture, with some anatomy, with experience, with some practices of prayer and with theological reflection. Our class sessions will allow us to attend to embodied life and to our call as the Body of Christ to live in mercy, in kindness and in love. 

The Rev. Jane Patterson: "Callings"

One of the most important things that a program in Christian Formation can do is to help people discern the calls from God that will shape their lives. This short course will use resources of the New Testament and a lifespan approach to reflect upon the various ways in which God calls people to fullness of life from childhood through old age. Emphasis will be placed upon the particularity of God’s call, the social nature of call, and the tensions that can be felt as people respond faithfully to multiple powerful calls (marriage, work, parenthood, friendship, community life, church involvement, school, etc.).

STUDENT COMMENTS

[The program] Gave me tools to work within the challenging environment of a parish church.

[I received] a stronger vision of hope for our church as a whole.

This course was inspiring and renewing for my ministry. It gave me a much clearer understanding of some of the dynamics of leadership in my congregation. The liturgical formation was quite powerful. By the end of the week, I had a much deeper understanding and appreciation for the Divine Service and had recovered much of my early joy as a Christian.

I came away from the course energized and with renewed enthusiasm for what I do.

It was great to be right on campus, and the food was absolutely fantastic! I felt quite cared for.