These courses are available from Columbia Theological Seminary

CERTIFICATE COURSES – these courses are open to all interested participants, not only those seeking Youth Ministry or Spiritual Formation certification.

YOUTH MINISTRY

March 4-5 Know Where to Turn When the Youth Turn to You (Pastoral Care) &

May 6-7 YMLI The Big Three:  Worship Mission & Fellowship

These two courses, part of our Youth Ministry leadership series, are developed especially for those who work with mid-high and high school youth.  The program fee for each is $165, including two meals (three, counting continental breakfast on Saturday!).  Campus housing is available.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

April 28-May 1 Eastern Orthodox Christianity

Late April, after Easter, in Montreat?  What could be a more perfect setting to explore this subject with renowned scholar and teacher Bruce Ridgon?  Click HERE for course info.  Housing registration is through Montreat Conference Center.

May 9-12 Certificate in Spiritual Formation Women’s Contemplative Retreat

Gather at the beautiful Benedictine monastery of the Sacred Heart in Cullman Alabama to experience together the fruits of prayer, silence, and contemplative community with other women. This may fill quickly – please click HERE to register!

For additional information about these or other courses, please contact the Lifelong Learning Registrar at 404.687.4587 or lifelonglearning@ctsnet.edu.  Visit us on the web at for the full course listing at http://www.ctsnet.edu/LifelongLearning.aspx.

The Center for Lifelong Learning, Columbia Theological Seminary

P.O. Box 520/701 S. Columbia Drive,  Decatur, GA  30031

The Sisters of St. Benedict at Kordes Center in Ferdinand, IN are offering a Spiritual Direction certification program (2 year).  For more information on the program, contact Rev. Dr. Martha FrizLanger before December 15, 2010.

Admission requirements include: Being in Spiritual Direction, a background in theology, spirituality, pastoral studies or a related field, a written spiritual autobiography, letters of recommendation, letters of support, interview with Internship staff and a criminal history background check.

These workshops are available through the CENTER FOR CONGREGATIONS

Sustainable Youth Ministry: A Southwest Learning Opportunity
Mark DeVries & Stephanie Caro
January-November 2011, Evansville

Applications are being accepted now for this four-session learning program for southwest Indiana congregational teams to grow significantly in their capacity for ongoing youth ministry. Participating congregations will learn and implement systems and structures needed to lay a strong foundation for ongoing youth ministry. Mark DeVries and Stephanie Caro from Youth Ministry Architects will facilitate the workshop and coach participating congregations. Space is limited. Applications are required and due November 1. For additional information and downloadable application, click here.

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Children and Your Congregation’s Ministry
Carolyn C. Brown
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 in Indianapolis
Thursday, November 4, 2010 in Gary

Workshop presenter Carolyn Brown shares practical plans and ideas for raising faithful children. She leads participants in conversation about the spiritual growth of children and establishing parameters for children’s ministry. Brown encourages participants to think about how their children are involved in all parts of their congregation’s life and ministry. For details and on-line registration, click here.

THE WISDOM OF THE SEASONS
Advent Stories in Preaching and Worship
Webinar: Wednesday, October 20, 2010
1:00 pm EDT
Facilitator: Chuck Olsen
Led by Chuck Olsen and based on his latest Alban book, The Wisdom of the Seasons, this webinar will offer practical  suggestions on integrating congregational narratives with the church year. Discover how ordinary stories bring us into the timeless wisdom of the rhythms of the seasons–with a seasonal focus on Advent stories in preaching and worship.

TENDING TO THE HOLY
The Practice of the Presence of God in Ministry
Andover Newton Theological School Empowerment Seminar
Online seminar jointly sponsored by Alban and Andover Newton
October 25 – November 19 (Registration deadline: October 15)
Instructor: Bruce Epperly
Integrating spiritual practices with the everyday tasks of ministry can transform a pastor’s professional and spiritual life. Practicing God’s presence in the ordinary tasks of ministry inspires wholeness, spiritual transformation, vision, imagination, endurance, and healthy self-differentiation in ministry. Participants will explore a variety of theologically-grounded spiritual practices that will deepen their experience of God’s presence in preaching, teaching, pastoral care, spiritual formation, administration, and prophetic hospitality.