Two week intensives meet for four hours each day for two weeks on the Richmond, Indiana campus. Bethany offers two week intensives in August, January, and May. All intensives are 3 credits.

August 2010

DATES: August 2-13, 2010

Gospel of Peace, B 204-T, Dan Ulrich

This seminar offers a survey of biblical texts related to peace and violence. We will interpret these texts collaboratively, paying attention to their historical and literary contexts and to their meanings for readers today. We will also explore the implications of this biblical background for our understandings, and practices of peacemaking. 3 semester hours.

Pastor and Religious Education, PM 261-T, Phil Baisley

What is the pastor's role in the educational work of the church? History, educational philosophy, and contemprary settings will be considered en route to helping students identify what part they, as pastoral ministers, will play in the nurture of their congregations thrugh religious education. 3 semester hours.

Constructive Theology, TS 375-T, David Johns

This course builds upon Introduction to Theology and continues it by exploring the themes of humanity, Church, and eschatology. Additionally, students will examine the idea of narrative participation in the story of God, and will construct a living Credo in conversation with their own histories and the range of material they have studied in seminary and beyond. 3 semester hours. Prerequisite: TS 101/101-O or T 101/101-O.

 Prophecy/Apocolyptic BS 357-T, Tim Seid

In the same way as early Christians interpreted the prophetic literature of the Hebrew Bible to be fulfilled in Jesus, later Christians have interpreted that prophetic and apocalyptic literature of the Bible to predict the events of the end of the age. We will examine these ancient texts broadly according to their literary forms, critique modern Christian interpretive schemes, and construct other ways these texts may speak to the human hope for a final triumph over evil and suffering in the world. 3 semester hours. Prerequisite: BS 101/101-O or B 102/102-O.

Writing the Story, WR 220-T, Susan Yanos

An introduction to, and practice in, the basic techniques used to write good stories, whether fiction or non-fiction. Such techniques include, but are not limited to, development of spiritual and religious content, character, narrative structure, plot, conflict, point of view, setting and theme. 3 semester hours.

January 2011

DATES: January 3-14, 2011

Christian Ethics, TS 336-T, TBA

 An examination of the Christian moral life and the theologial convictions that animate it, including its understanding of the good, of conscience, the nature of humanity, and the faith community's public witness. These proposals are considered in conversation with selected issues requiring careful and responsible Christian engagement, for example war and peace, the environment, and genetic engineering. 3 semester hours. Prerequisite: TS 101/101-O or T 101/101-O.

Bible in Global Context, BS 334, Nancy Bowen

This course focuses on approaches to biblical interpretation from context outside of the dominant whilte, North American context. Students will engage with the writings of biblical interpreters from Africa, Asia, and Latin America as well as liberation and post-colonial readings of the text. In addition to understanding the point of view of the interpreter and the role of context in their interpretation, students will critically consider the role of their own context in interpretation. 3 semester hours. Prerequisite: BS 101/101-O or B 102/102-O.

Travel Seminar: AMERC, I 205-T, Scott Holland

Funded by Appalachian Ministries Educational Resource Center (AMERC) in Berea, Kentucky and conducted by member schools of the consortium. Courses focus on the religious history and social issues of Appalachia, with attention given to models and strategies for small church ministry in the rural setting. 3 semester hours.

Ritual Reflection in the Life of Faith, M 211-T, Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm

 Students will study the biblical, theological, and anthropological bases for various rituals and ordinances of the church. Focusing on such practices as child and parent dedication, baptism, Love Feast, communion, anointing, the laying on of hands, weddings, funerals/memorials, and ordination, students will reflect on the meaning of various rituals as they design creative ritual services. 3 semester hours.

Prayer, SP 214, Spenser

 Students will explore and practice different ways to pray, thus nurturing spiritual growth through a daily discipline of prayer. Both individual and group prayer are practiced. Readings and discussion give opportunity to explore theological questions that arise when we pray. 3 semester hours.

Christian Reconciliation: Conflict Resolution in Church and World, PJ 223-T, Lonnie Valentine

 This course combines the theoretical and practical study of reconciliation. We will study a variety of models in conflict resolution and begin to construct our own models of reconciliation. Students will also be introduced to practical experience in seeking to resolve conflicts. In this way, we seek to address theoretical issues with practical concerns. 3 semester hours.

May 2011

DATES: May 16-27, 2011

Topics for Writing in Ministry, WR 290-T, TBA

The study of, practice in, and critique of a particular genre that is especially suitable for ministry. Topics will vary. 3 semester hours.

Spiritual Formation in Contemporary Faith Communities, SP 211-T, TBA

This course is designed to enlarge students' competency with the resources and approaches for fostering spiritual formation in faith communities. The considerations are four-fold: (1) spiritual practices within the Christian tradition, and ways they might be applied and taught in faith communities; (2) integration of spiritual practice in the life of a leader; (3) approaches for helping indivdual members to discern their own spiritual journeys, as well as operating theologies; and (4) discernment of community ethos, testimonies, and vision in order to foster corporate spiritual formation. 3 semester hours.

Work of the Pastor, PM 250-T, Phil Baisley

 This course emphasizes the day-to-day ministry of pastoring. Primary foci are: the candidating process, visitation ministry, weddings, and pre-marital counseling, and funerals and grief care. Discussions of principles, as well as opportunities for practice are integral to this course. 3 semester hours.

Discernment of Call and Gifts, FC 339-T, Stephanie Crumley-Effinger

This course engages students in reflecting on how God has been and is now present in their lives, calling and preparing each for ministry that makes use of their gifts to serve God and God's world. Students consider issues of vocation and ministry, and explore different facets of their giftedness and challenges. Through class work and other experiences of discernment they learn practices for individuals and communities who seek to discern God's leading. 3 semester hours. Prerequisite: FC 101/101-T and FC 102/102-O.

Emergency Pastoral Care, PC 328-T, Jim Higginbotham

 This course examines life events and precipitating factors that lead persons and families into crisis. Guidelines for identifying signs, causes, and stages of crises are addressed. Theological questions elicited by crises, the process of referral, and various types of emergencies are also explored. 3 semester hours. Prerequisite: PC 101/101-O.

Evangelism in the Postmodern Context, M 222-T, Tara Hornbacker

August 2011

Dates: TBA

Constructive Theology, TS 375-T, David Johns

This course builds upon Introduction to Theology and continues it by exploring the themes of humanity, Church and eschatology. Additionally, students will examine the idea of narrative participation in the story of God, and will construct a living Credo in conversation with their histories and the range of material they have studied in seminary and beyond. 3 semester hours. Prerequisite; TS 101/101-O or T101/101-O.

Interfaith Dialog, TS 360-T,  Lonnie Valentine

This is an introduction to concepts and practices of world religions and to theological reflection upon the relationship of Christianity to other faith traditions. As such, the course will touch upon Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese traditions, Judaism, Islam, and primal traditions. There will be some Introduction to how these faith traditions express themselves in the United States. 3 semester hours. Prerequisite: TS 101/101-O.

Women in Ministry, M 280, Tara Hornbacker

This course examines current issues, experiences, and ecologies encountered by women in ministerial leadership. In addition to faculty lectures and readings, a variety of guest speakers will represent a variety of ministry areas, ecumenical affiliations, and generational perspectives. The scope of the course moves beyond current conditions to teach a variety of transformational leadership principles addressing the joys and possibilities of ministering as a woman. 3 semester hours.

Writing the Story, WR 220-T, Susan Yanos

An introduction to, and practice in, the basic techniques used to write good stories, whether fiction or non-fiction. Such techniques include, but are not limited to, development of spiritual and religious content, character, narrative structure, plot, conflict, point of view, setting and theme. 3 semester hours.