RICHMOND — Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond's School of Christian Ministry has announced several upcoming continuing education opportunities.
A contemplative retreat in preparation for the season of Advent, “Listening for God in our Lives,” will be held Oct. 13-16 at the Richmond Hill Retreat Center. The retreat is designed to offer participants a place for rest, reflection and prayer organized around the theme of listening for God in our lives as they are, and not as we wish they were.
Leader will be Stephen Brachlow, professor of spirituality at BTSR. Registration is $300 and includes meals and lodging for three nights. Scholarships are available.
Three online courses begin Sept. 8 — The Church Year and the Lectionary: In Our Worship and Study, Baptist Identity and The Church: A System of Relationships. Each online course is $125. Scholarships are available to cover 50 percent of the registration fee. Course details are listed below.
• The Church Year and the Lectionary: In Our Worship and Study
Explore ways to enrich the life of your congregation through the use of the Lectionary readings in worship through preaching, liturgy and hymnody, and in study as a method of reading the Bible over the repeated cycle of three years. Course dates are Sept. 8-Oct. 17. Led by Nancy Rock Poti, pastor of Trinity Church, Baptist, in Richmond.
• Baptist Identity
Through an exploration of Baptist heritage, you will learn more about what it means to be Baptist. Examine the principles of freedom that are central to Baptists. Course dates are Sept. 8-Oct. 5. Led by Jon Messer, education coordinator at the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies in Richmond.
• The Church: A System of Relationships
Increase your understanding of the church as a system of relationships and enhance your understanding of congregational life and ministry, Bowen Family Systems Theory and the function of leadership in a congregation. Led by James Peak, associate dean for continuing education at BTSR. Course dates are Sept. 8-Oct. 5.
For more information visit www.btsr.edu/scm, call 888-339-2877 (toll free) or write [email protected].