2009-2010 Catalog Presented by The Diakonia™ Program sponsored under the auspices of the Metropolitan New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
These courses are primarily designed to enrich various lay ministries. Each
course consists of approximately five sessions. Both Episcopal and ELCA students may use these offerings toward the lay ministry and Christian formation
requirements in their respective churches.
The entire program encompasses 2 years and 12 classes. There is also an annual retreat during Lent. Additional information will be forthcoming on the web site. At the end of the two years, students who have successfully passed all classes 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. See form in center of catalog.
Fall 2009
- Bl09 Introduction to the Old Testament
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The aims of this course are: to give the students an overview of the structure and theology of the Hebrew Scriptures and present the varieties of forms used to communicate the truth of God’s Word contained in them. Special attention will be given to the covenant theology and to relating Old Testament theology and history to our understanding of the New Testament.
Instructor: The Rev. R. Splittgerber
Time: Saturdays, 8:45am - 11:45am
Dates: 9/12/09; 9/26/09; 10/3/09; 10/10/09; 10/17/09;
Fee: $60 Click here to register - B209 Christian Worship
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This course surveys major aspects of the Sacraments, Lutheran and Episcopal liturgical worship, and the seasons of the church year with special emphasis on the cultural settings in which worship occurs. The course provides a practical understanding of the words, actions, and items involved in the services by giving a close examination of what is in our service books. It also ties the content of the services to their Biblical roots.
This course also looks at the wide diversity of Christian Worship practices within the ELCA from traditional to contemporary, multi-cultural differences, etc.
Instructor: The Rev. Frederick McElderry et al
Time: Saturdays, 8:45am - 11:45am
Dates: 10/24/09; 10/31/09; 11/07/09; 12/5/09
(No class on 11/28/09 for Thanksgiving)
Fee: $60 Click here to register - B309 Practical Ministry III: To Communicate the Gospel
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This class will explore the role of the parish community of Word and Sacraments as the context for ministry, the source from which the Christian witness flows. Attention will also be paid to identifying 21st century situations where communication of the Gospel is essential, and how this communication may occur. The focus of this course is to look at opportunities within the parish for communicating the gospel (Bible studies, teaching, youth ministries, etc) as well as in the community (various forms of evangelism, welcoming visitors and new members, etc).
Underlying the course is the perspective of each student in developing diaconal self-understanding. We will explore together the particular gifts and strengths each student possesses and the ways in which these gifts are communicated in today’s world. Students will share personal ministry experiences of how they uniquely communicate the gospel in their lives, and reflect on them both Biblically and theologically. In short, the course will help students explore a Christian way of doing functional theology and ministry, “at that exciting point where Word, world, and baptized servant converge.”
Instructor: The Reverend Jerome Taylor
Time: Saturdays, 8:45am - 11:45am
Dates: 12/12/09; 12/19/09; 1/09/10; 1/16/10; 1/23/10
(No class on 12/26/09 and 1/2/10 for Christmas break)
Fee: $60 Click here to register
Spring 2010
- B410 Lutheran Faith Traditions in the American Context
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The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the history of the Lutheran church in America over the last 385 years, comparing past struggles and themes with issues in our church today, paying special attention to themes of immigration and assimilation (inclusion/exclusion/language), mission and outreach, authority, and identity. A Spiritual Retreat at Graymoor will be scheduled one of these dates; classes will meet as scheduled.
Instructors: The Reverend Gregory Sutterlin et al
Time: Saturdays, 8:45am - 11:45am
Dates: 1/30/10; 2/06/10; 2/13/10; 2/20/10; 2/27/10; 3/06/10
Fee: $60 Click here to register - B510 Christian Doctrine
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This course has several main objectives: to introduce students to systematic theology, present a vision of the coherence of Christian beliefs to each other, help identify foundational doctrines, give an understanding of orthodoxy and heresy, gain an understanding of the communal and historic nature of doctrines and their spiritual foundations, and to help students understand and express why disciplined thought and faithful confession is crucial for church leaders.
Instructor: The Rev. James E. Sudbrock
Time: Saturdays, 8:45am - 11:45am
Dates: 3/13/10; 3/20/10; 3/27/10; 4/10/10; 4/17/10; (No class on 4/3/10 for Easter)
Fee: $60 Click here to register - B610 Themes and Issues in Christian Ethics
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Students will reflect on the implications of the Ten Commandments for contemporary life. They will be introduced to concepts and systems by which the Christian tradition has taught personal and public morality, for example, the “Deadly Sins” and “Cardinal Virtues”, the “Just War” theory vs. Christian Pacifism, human nature and human sinfulness, and Luther’s “Two Kingdoms” theology. The course provides opportunity for disciplined reflection on vexing ethical issues such as sexual ethics, sanctity of life, political witness, and economic justice. This course presents the opportunity to review and study some of the ELCA’s Social and Teaching Statements.
Instructor: TBA
Time: Saturdays, 8:45am - 11:45am
Dates: 4/24/10; 5/1/10; 5/8/10; 5/22/10; 6/5/10 (No class on 5/15/10)
Fee: $60 Click here to register
Fall 2009 - Spring 2010 Full Year Courses
These full year academic courses offer about thirty hours of instruction and comprising about fifteen classes per semester. The satisfactory completion of one course enables a student to receive one credit unit. These classes are designed to be in greater depth and scope than other offerings bearing similar titles. All persons are welcome to register for these courses.
- OT 100 / OT 101 The Old Testament
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An overview of the entire body of Hebrew Scripture to explore the content and structure of the Old Testament, with emphasis on learning “The Story.” Three levels of study are involved: (1) the facts; (2) the meaning of these facts in terms of history, the cultural and historical setting of the time, and the symbolic (“religious”) meaning; and (3) application of the message in each student’s own history and personal set of facts. Special features of each assigned reading will also be considered.
- Written examinations and exegetical papers will be required.
- Text: The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version.
- A variety of commentaries, concordances, and bible dictionaries will also be used from time to time.
Time: Tuesday evenings starting 7:00pm
Dates:
OT100 9/22/09; 9/29/09; 10/6/09; 10/13/09; 10/20/09; 10/27/09; 11/3/09; 11/10/09; 11/17/09; 12/8/09; 12/15/09; 1/5/10; 1/12/10; 1/19/10; 1/26/10
OT101 2/9/10; 2/16/10; 2/23/10; 3/9/10; 3/16/10; 3/23/10; 4/6/10; 4/13/10; 4/20/10; 4/27/10; 5/4/10; 5/11/10; 5/18/10; 5/25/10; 6/1/10
Fee:
OT100 $250
OT101 $250
Click here to register
- CH100 / CH101 “Truth, Unity and Concord”: A History of Global Christianity
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This is a two-semester foundations course which provides a survey of the history of Christianity from the time of the Apostles to the present day. From its beginnings, Christianity was global in its reach and diverse in its self-understandings, its worship and its theologies. The focus of the course will be on the development of Christian ministries and institutions; major heresies and schisms; the medieval Church; the Protestant and Catholic reformations; the missionary Church; Christian responses to the challenges of the Age of Reason, modern science, post-modernism and globalization. Emphasis will be placed on the development of Western Christianity, including the Church of England and its daughter church in the United States.
This course will cover most of the “Church History” section of the Office of Ministry Development website section “A Short Summary of What Candidates Ought to Know in Each of the Seven Canonical Areas”:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/1521_6636_ENG_HTM.htm
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Instructor: Ted Gerbracht, PhD
Time: Thursday evenings starting 7:00pm
Dates:
CH100 9/24/09; 10/1/09; 10/8/09; 10/15/09; 10/22/09; 10/29/09; 11/5/09; 11/19/09; 12/3/09 12/10/09; 12/17/09; 1/7/10; 1/14/10; 1/21/10; 1/28/10
CH101 2/11/10; 2/18/10; 2/25/10; 3/4/10; 3/11/10; 3/18/10; 3/25/10; 4/8/10 4/15/10; 4/22/10; 4/29/10; 5/6/10; 5/13/10; 5/20/10; 6/3/10
Fee:
CH100 $250
CH101 $250
Click here to register - CF100 / CF101 Foundations of Christian Education
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The purpose of this course is to examine the theological, philosophical, and psychological foundations of Christian Education. Reflecting on faith formation, the ministry of education will be considered from an interdisciplinary framework reflecting the integration of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions of human growth and development. An outcome of this course will be the skills and ability to develop a coherent foundation for the educational ministry of the parish.
Instructor: The Reverend Charles Ackerson, PhD
Time: Saturday mornings once a month starting 8:45am
Dates:
CF1009/26/09; 10/24/09; 11/21/09; 12/19/09;
CF101 1/23/10; 2/20/10; 3/20/10; 4/24/10; 5/22/10; 6/5/10
Fee:
CF100$250-This section has been canceled
CF101 $250
Click here to register