Presented by the 
Program of the Metropolitan New York Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. (Course registration is through the registrar. See registration form insert.)
These courses are primarily designed to enrich various lay ministries. Each course consists of five sessions and is scheduled in sequence for the whole academic year. Both Episcopal and ELCA students may use these offerings toward the lay ministry licensing and Christian formation requirements in their respective churches.
The entire program encompasses 2 years and 12 courses. There is also an annual retreat. At the end of the two years, students who have successfully passed all courses will receive a certificate and cross at a graduation Eucharist. Lutheran students are expected to commit to the entire 2 year program. There is a one-time registration fee of $25.00 in addition to the class fee. Please refer to the ELCA registration form (p. 2 of the registration form) and to the Mercer website (www.mercerschool.org) for updated class information.
Fall 2010 / Spring 2011
The first course begins on Saturday, September 18, 2010.
All classes will meet at the Mercer School of Theology.
- Al10 Introduction to the New Testament
- The goals of this course are to understand the gospel message as revealed in the New
Testament; to explore the life and faith of the Christian church in the first century;
to understand how the Bible came down to us in its present form and to understand
and use a variety of tools for interpreting the Bible. Throughout the course, students
will reflect how the New Testament Gospel has shaped our Christian lives.
Time: Saturdays, 8:45 am - 11:45 am
Dates: Beginning Sept. 18, 2010
Fee: $60
> Click here to register
- A210 Church History - The First 400 Years
- The purpose of this course is to help students understand the doctrinal, liturgical, and
organizational development of the Christian tradition in its first four centuries. The
internal and external political, cultural and religious forces which shaped our church
and our statements of faith are covered. The course concludes with the unification of Christian thought in the Creeds.
Time: Saturdays, 8:45 am - 11:45 am
Fee: $60
> Click here to register
- A310 Practical Ministry I: Biblical Images of the Life of the Church (diakonia, koinonia, leitiurgia, kerygma)
- In this course each Biblical image is examined for its meaning and usage in the New
Testament. Students will consider the implications for the life of congregations and
their ministries. These concepts are related to the ongoing work of preaching, teaching,
counseling, worship, social ministry and acts of mercy carried out individually
and corporately by the Church and her servants. They are studied in their interrelatedness,
all centered in the "Great Commission" given to us by Christ.
This course also introduces the idea of Baptismal vocation, the priesthood of all believers and that we all have gifts that may be used. Teachers may spend time helping students discern their own possible gifts for ministry and service to the church and world.
Time: Saturdays, 8:45 am - 11:45 am
Fee: $60
> Click here to register
- A410 Lutheran Creeds and Confessions
- The history and content of the Book of Concord are at the heart of this course. Special
emphasis is placed on the Augsburg Confession and Apology, the Catechisms
and Smalcald Articles, as well as the New Testament books of Romans, Ephesians,
and Galatians. Topics include: God and Sin, Justification by Grace Alone, Church
and Ministry, Sacraments, and others. Parish constitutions may be studied to show
relation of confessional documents to modern Lutheranism.
Time: Saturdays, 8:45 am - 11:45 am
Fee: $60
- A510 Practical Ministry II: Visitation (the sick, the homebound, the grieving)
- This course has two components: students will be provided the opportunity to make
at least one supervised visit in an institution and/or to the homebound. Class sessions
will deal with understanding the needs of patients and loved ones, as well as issues
such as grieving and patients' rights.
Besides a sharing of practical issues relating to this ministry, this course will also provide opportunities to relate visitation ministry to the theology and worship life of the Church. The role of the Eucharistic Minister may also be explored. During this course, students may discern whether or not they have a gift for visitation.
Time: Saturdays, 8:45 am - 11:45 am
Fee: $60
- A610 The Daily Life of a Christian
- This practical theology course will explore the meaning of Christian discipleship in
daily life. The course will help the student to balance their Baptismal vocation and
calling in Christian life with family and personal life, church-related service and the
world of work. Special attention will be given to the theology of sanctification, the Reformation and Luther's understanding of baptismal vocation, the relation of the
justified life of faith to good works, financial stewardship, and the disciplines, which
support discipleship such as daily prayer.
Time: Saturdays, 8:45 am - 11:45 am
Fee: $60
