ELCA Wittenberg Center
Continuing Education Opportunities
Wittenberg, Germany
The ELCA`s Unit for Vocation and Education has a sponsoring relationship with the Wittenberg Center where regular opportunities exist to study in the homeland of Lutheranism. Seminars on spirituality, reformers, Bonhoeffer and others are regularly available.
Info Contact: Wittenberg Center
Fisher`s Net
Sponsored through Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
On-Line Courses
The seminaries of the ELCA (along with Augsburg Fortress and Thrivent) cooperate in offering on-line courses that carry academic credit.
Info Contact: Fisher`s Net, or email Gloria Doherty
Center for Parish Development
Missional Theology and Practice
Chicago, IL
The Center for Parish Development is an independent agency providing churches with valuable consultation and training opportunities in the area of mission and transformation. Their annual convocation takes place each summer and features nationally-known speakers. Check out their web site.
Info Contact: Center for Parish Development
Trinity Lutheran Seminary
Continuing Education Opportunities
Columbus, Ohio
Trinity Lutheran Seminary maintains a listing of continuing education opportunities sponsored by the seminary.
Info Contact: Center for Continuing Education
Faith and Order Conference
Texas Conference of Churches
Austin, Texas
The Texas Conference of Churches offers an annual ecumenical conference in the fall of the year. The event is designed to address a current theological topic in the context of an ecumenical dialog. Watch their web site for other seminars and interactive experiences as well.
Info Contact: Texas Conference of Churches
Systems Leadership Seminar
Family Systems Training
Dallas / Houston / Arlington: October to May
Dr. Terry Germann offers this seminar for leadership who want to reflect on the family dynamics of work, home, and congregational life. The seminar meets once a month for eight months. Groups meet in Dallas, Houston and Arlington.
Info Contact: Terry Germann, 214-373-6370
ELCA Seminars
Leadership Development
Florida
The Leadership Support office of the ELCA`s Unit for Vocation and Education offers three events each January (or February) to help team ministries prosper: a Head of Staff Seminar for those newly called to be senior pastor, a Ministry Staff Seminar for those ordained and lay rostered persons who serve as associates and assistants, and a Transition Seminar for those who have recently changed calls. Watch for the posting in the fall.
Info Contact: ELCA Leadership Support
Bishop`s Convocation
Annual Gathering of Synod Professional Leaders
Briarwood Retreat Center
Planned and hosted by Bishop Kevin Kanouse, along with a team of rostered leaders, this event offers spiritual refreshment and stimulating speakers in the relaxed atmosphere of Briarwood Retreat Center. The event is typically offered during the third week of October each year. A brochure is available online and by surface mail in late summer.
Info Contact: NT-NL Events
The Melanchthon Institute
Center for Learning and Study
Houston, Texas
The Melanchthon Institute, housed at Christ the King Lutheran Church near Rice University in Houston, is dedicated to bringing scholarly insight to bear on current issues. Speakers, seminars and a scholar in residence program are all a part of the special events that they offer.
Info Contact: Melanchthon Institute
The Magnetic Church
Andrew D. Weeks
National Seminars
Andrew Weeks, an Episcopal layperson from North Smithfield, Rhode Island, regularly tours the nation offering seminars that address practical evangelism tools about inviting, retaining and incorporating new members. He is frequently in the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex.
Info Contact: Magnetic Church
Augustine Institute
"Thinking Together Theologically"
Carthage College, Wisconsin
Martin Luther was an Augustinian monk, a university professor, and then a reformer whose thoughts and actions changed the church and the world. Carthage College has created the Augustine Institute, a public forum dedicated to exploring the significance of the Augustinian/Lutheran tradition for the church and the world of the 21st century. The online presentations and discussions are hosted by Dr. William Lazareth and Dr. Leonard Schulze.
Info Contact: Augustine Institute
Easum, Bandy and Associates
Being a Missional Church
Texas-based
Bill Easum and ??? Bandy provide consultative and educational services to help in the promotion of a Missional Church. Their mission is "to prepare congregations and faith-based organizations for mission in the 21st century by training innovative leaders with a passion to grow disciples of Christ, and by providing resources, services, and networks to equip faithful and effective Christian ministries." They have spoken at our Annual Theological Conference and consulted with individual congregations.
Info Contact: Easum, Bandy and Associates
Easum, Bandy and Associates
Being a Missional Church
Texas-based
Bill Easum and Tom Bandy provide consultative and educational services to help in the promotion of a Missional Church. Their mission is "to prepare congregations and faith-based organizations for mission in the 21st century by training innovative leaders with a passion to grow disciples of Christ, and by providing resources, services, and networks to equip faithful and effective Christian ministries." They have spoken at our Annual Theological Conference and consulted with individual congregations.
Info Contact: Easum, Bandy and Associates
The Alban Institute
Professional Development Opportunities
National Continuing Education Events
The Alban Institute enjoys a premiere reputation for the workshops and seminars it offers to church leaders. Their seminars are offered all around the country and are both scholarly and practical. Their offerings focus on pastoral and congregational development, featuring presenters like Speed Leas, Gil Rendle, Jim Wind, Alice Mann, Roy Oswald, and Ed White. A sampling of topics includes:Conflict Management in the Congregation, Transitioning from Pastoral Size to Program Size, Leading the Large Size Congregation, Spirituality and Leadership, Managing Group Dynamics, Pastor as Spiritual Leader. Though more expensive than the typical CE event, the Alban programs are widely acclaimed to be worth the expense. Put their website into your "favorites" list.
Info Contact: The Alban Institute
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
Learning Opportunities
Lombard, Illinois
The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center of Lombard, Illinois offers various learning opportunities on mediation, conflict resolution and reconciliation. Training for clergy is offered as well as general instruction. The Lombard Peace Center enjoys a national reputation and focuses on an intensive application of the work of Murray Bowen and Family Systems Theory. The trainers include Richard Blackburn, Robert Williamson, and Terry Gladstone.
Info Contact: Web Site: Lombard Peace Center; Email: Lombard Peace Center
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Center for Continuing Education
Austin, Texas
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary regually offers special events, day-long seminars, and CE courses.
Info Contact: Austin Presbyterian Seminary.
Rural Ministry Certificate
On-Line Courses
Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa
Wartburg Seminary and the Center for Theology and Land offer online courses as well as focused, short on-campus courses in areas of study related to the work of lay ministers. Their program of study can lead to a Certificate in Town and Country Church Leadership. The certificate is intended for the theological education of synodically-approved lay ministers and new-to-rural ordained pastors. Typical online courses offered by the Center for Theology and Land include: Engaging the Gospels: Perspectives on Following Jesus, Learning Communities in the Church, The Vocation of Ministry.
Info Contact: Rural Ministry; 563-589-3117
Sabbatical Program at PLTS
Academic Year
Berkeley, California
The faculty and staff at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary are prepared to assist rostered leaders who might want to use the seminary site for their sabbatical. Course work mingled with independent study can be designed to suit your needs. PLTS has all the resources of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.
Info Contact: Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.
Wartburg Theological Seminary
Continuing Education Opportunities
Dubuque, Iowa
Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa has a full range of continuing education opportunities. Some of the offerings come from the Center for Theology and Land, the Center for Youth Ministries, the Hein Fry Lecture series, and the Vocations Conference. Check their web site for further information.
Info Contact: Wartburg Seminary, or write CE at Wartburg
Annual Theological Leadership Conference
Tri-Synodical
Fourth Week of January each Year
The three synods of Texas and Louisiana gather for their annual professional development conference in late January each year -- typically the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the fourth week. Premiere speakers, colleagial fellowship, and helpful workshops are offered. The event is opened to all rostered and lay professional leaders in the church. The event rotates among the synods so that it is offered on the territory of the Southwestern Texas Synod in 2007 (and 2010, 2013), the Gulf Coast Synod in 2008 (and 2011, 2014), and the Northern Texas - Northern Louisiana Synod in 2009 (and 2012, 2015). For further information, refer to the synod web sites.
Info Contact: Three synods: Southwestern Texas, Gulf Coast Synod, and NT-NL Synod.
