The studies have shown for decades the uptick in young people leaving the Church after high school. Many churches have struggled to respond to the shifting topography of culture and identity. Perhaps what is needed most are churches that are truly investing in their young people and passing on a faith built on compassion, not doctrine alone. But where to begin? If you are struggling to help your congregation to journey with and mentor young people, this session will offer some helpful ideas and conversation.

Teacher:

Kyle Williams

For many congregations, finding the right individuals to serve on their ministry staff is a difficult season that involves a broad search and interview process. But what if God is growing your staff within your own community? In this class we will explore the ways developing future ministry staff from within a congregation can be done, the theological and practical reasons to do it, and share how our own church has thrived through such an experience. We will realistically tackle the challenges and blessings. As churches confront budgetary challenges and preacher shortages, this process may become an essential way to find more workers for the harvest.

Teacher:

Caleb Borchers

We are all on epic quest for truth and justice. Unfortunately, we too often forget ourselves among the hazardous obstacles and tantalizing temptations along the way. The struggle of pride and power overtake us. We long to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. We long to be heroes who are clothed in humility. How can we get back on the righteous path and fulfill what God requires of us? In this lecture, we will explore the topic of humility by examining epic stories illustrating the struggle between good and evil. We will put our trust in the example of Jesus and learn specific exercises on how to grow downward in holiness.

Teacher:

Joe Neal

Hebrews calls us to believe in the unseen while the skepticism of society beckons us to doubt everything. We scoff at reports of aliens, Bigfoot, and Nessy, but on Sundays we proclaim belief in giants, leviathan, miracles, and resurrection from the dead. Christians live in the tension between faith in God and skepticism toward just about everything else, or have we let the skepticism of the world slowly erode our faith? How deeply has our skepticism and disbelief affected our ability to have faith in God?

Teacher:

Chess Cavitt

Growing up in churches of Christ and eventually ministering within churches of Christ requires perseverance. Jeff offers an intensely autobiographical journey highlighting the reasons that he continues to serve as a minister and his hope for the future.

Teacher:

Jeff Dunn

Most Christians I know are dreading this fall’s presidential election. “It’s going to be bad.” “We’re going to lose friends.” “I’m worried about my church.” “The world is going to fall apart if the other team wins.” How might the apostle Paul coach a church entering in this season? By taking a careful look at how Paul approached the fault lines threatening to fracture the Christians in Rome (with special attention to Romans 14), this class will offer a positive vision for how a church might proactively engage the election season as an opportunity to be a “disruptive witness” in a saturated market of rage.

Teacher:

Phil Brookman

Teachers:

John Philip and Karen Louis

When we appreciate that human beings are lovers, and that our loves are shaped by rituals and routines—“liturgies”—then we should recognize afresh what is at stake in the practices of Christian worship. This session will explore the ways in which worship is the heart of discipleship and how we can be intentional in creating (re)formative worship environments.

Teacher:

James K.A. Smith

Psychiatrist and award-winning author Curt Thompson, along with Luke Norsworthy, will discuss God's transforming work of taking our grief into a lasting peace that surpasses all understanding. Suffering is a defining reality of life. Yet so many of us are so focused on avoiding discomfort that we've never learned how to actually suffer. But what if we could move from anxiety to durable hope? This is a two-part series.

Teachers:

Luke Norsworthy, Curt Thompson, MD

Teacher:

Victor McCraken