Religion Studies
Evangelism: The Beginning of Discipleship
This workshop begins with Jesus' words: "While you are going on your way, make disciples..." Jesus does not command us to "go and make disciples", but rather commands us to make disciples while we are going. This command applies to new believers as well as to very experienced ones. Ironically and intriguingly, new converts have in God's economy the four ingredients necessary for effective evangelism and disciple-making, while long-term believers do not!
The four ingredients are desire, know-how, opportunity, and a plan for follow-up. New believers can strengthen their witness by increasing their use of the four ingredients; while more mature believers can renew their witness by sharpening and refreshing their use of the four ingredients. In this workshop then, we will seek to inspire your desire, sharpen your know-how, identify your opportunities, and challenge you to plan to make disciples.
Because a one-day workshop is never enough, the Evangelism Commission has initiated a new effort to form a network of evangelists--people who like telling the good news of Jesus' grace--and you will be invited to join in the conversation online at www.evcommission.wordpress.com and in person at the occasional evangelism forums.
The Royal Priesthood and Mission
“Mission” is more than sending a group of folks off to another locale to evangelize and serve. While “mission trips” are certainly a function of the Church’s vocation, our work in this course is to help develop the idea of mission as part of your vocation as a lay minister or Deacon. This course is meant to encourage the student towards a healthy outlook on evangelism and service as modeled on the outreach of God in Jesus Christ. Syllabus for Royal Priesthood and Mission
Mission in the City
Revealing the City of God in the City of Man. This workshop will explore biblical reasons and ways to seek the shalom of your city or town with the Great Commission and Great Commandment in mind.
Syllabus for Mission in the City
Article for Mission in the City
Body Building: Building the Kingdom Using our Gifts of the Spirit
The focus of this course is to explore how the Church is to be about the task of ministry in the world. Part of this exploration will be to identify our own call to ministry and spiritual giftedness.
The Early History of Israel
This class will take a fast moving look at the people God chose to be his own. Beginning with the call of Moses to go to Egypt, and ending up at the split of a united kingdom into north and south 722 B.C., We will point out specific portions to help the student reflect on the faithfulness of the God who journeyed with his people even after they rejected his kingship for a human king. The class will be intriguing and insightful.
Syllabus for Early History of Israel
Israel: From Exile to Restoration
How do we move from destruction to restoration, from brokenness to wholeness? This class will answer this question by a study of the journey of Israel during the Post-Exilic period, also known as the “Second Temple Judaism”. Through an historical and scriptural study of the leaders of this time, we can learn what we need to move faithfully forward in our own journey of faith, growth, and restoration.
Syllabus for Exile to Restoration
Church History 1: The First Thousand Years
Getting to know the people, events and ideas from the end of Acts 28 through the East/West split in the Church in 1054 that make us who we are as Anglican Christians.
Syllabus for Church History Part 1
Church History 2: The Last Thousand Years
Getting to know the people, events and ideas from 1054 through the present that make us who we are as Anglican Christians.
Syllabus for Church History Part 2
The Episcopal Church in the United States
This course will enable the student to understand the dynamics, conflicts and hope which has been a part of the development of the Episcopal Church in this country from the early colonial times to the present. Syllabus for Episcopal Church in the USA
Bishop Howe's Pastoral Letter of April 2008
Belief of the Church Parts I & II
This course will teach the student to think theologically, Beginning with the study of the doctrine of Incarnation and its implications. The historical development of the doctrines of Christ and the dogma of the Holy Trinity are central to this course.
Syllabus for Beliefs of the Church I and II
The Making of a Healthy Church
Everyday of every month of every year people pass by your church. A few come to visit. Even fewer stay. You're discouraged, frustrated, and confused because you've tried "outreach" programs. You've listened to the "growth gurus". You've said your prayers, but with each passing day your congregation slip lower and lower below the waterline of sustainability.
First, you're not alone. 57 of the Diocese's 86 churches have declined over the past four years. The Episcopal Church in Central Florida is in trouble. Serious trouble.
So, what can we do?
It's time to get healthy because healthy things grow! (And, yes, if your church isn't growing it's because some part of it isn't healthy.) In this workshop we'll discuss:
- Leadership - what it is, what it isn't and where do you find it.
- How NOT to "program" your way to health
- Understanding your context and finding your niche in your community
- And much more!
The class will be team taught by Fr. Jonathan French, Fr. Dave Peoples, Fr. Tim Nunez, Fr. Andrew Petiprin, Fr. Chris Brathwaite and others who will add their experiences together to help you analyses your situation and leave with at least one practical and pragmatic idea that you can take to your church for immediate implementation.
Please note:
Only Rectors, those accompanying their Rector, or those who have their Rector’s support and willingness to implement possible changes may attend.
Shaping the Heart, Head and Hands of a Christian Leader
This workshop will explore how the Lord shapes hearts, heads and hands for Christian leadership in this present future. Reading, teaching, discussion and projects will focus on three essential questions for a Christian leader: Who does the Lord call me to be? What does the Lord call me to know? What does the Lord call me to do?
Syllabus for Shaping the Heart, Head, and Hands of a Christian Leader
Our Anglican Heritage
Anglicanism is the third largest branch of Christendom. The class and the book explore the rich heritage and gift of our Church. The study promises to address:
“Can an ancient Church be the Church of the future?”
“What is Anglicanism and how is it distinctive?”
“Where did it come from and where is it going?”
“Which beliefs, values, and practices stand at the heart of this important global communion?”
“How can its rich heritage help it move into the future?”
From its early history in English Reformation to the debates and struggles of the 21st century, this book study will study Our Anglican Heritage.
Syllabus for Our Anglican Heritage
The Universe Next Door: Comparative Religions
Today we live in a world with many worldviews. Each worldview has its own set of standards, doctrines, and foundational beliefs. Each day we are confronted in various ways by these different worldviews and at times people try to integrate them into Christianity. In this course will discover the foundations and if applicable, the commonalities each of worldviews has with Christianity. It will enable you to understand the basic concepts of differing worldviews in a way that will aid you in defending the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Syllabus for Universe Next Door