While much of the country is covered in snow, here in the Academic Services Office we’re thinking summer classes! Registration for these courses is open now. Take a look at your options below, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
MNST 6135 Experiencing African Christianity
Dates: May 19 – June 1
Instructors: Nathan Clayton and Paul De Neui
Course description: This is a travel course to Democratic Republic of Congo and Belgium. Expansion of the Christian faith in the global south is located largely in Africa. What are some of the reasons for this growth? This hybrid course explores African Christianity by integrating face-to-face cultural immersion with online pre- and post-travel components. Participation of local scholars, leaders and fellow African students builds a global learning community that grows through home stay, and times of study, reflection and worship together. Scholarships assist participants in raising additional non-tuition expenses. Completed application form for travel courses and instructor’s permission required for enrollment.
Take this class if: You are in need of a Cultural Diversity Elective or are interested in learning about Christianity in Africa.
CEDF 6220 Incorporating Children in Worship
Dates: June 3-6, 8am-5pm. This class is blended and will have on-going online work after meeting.
Instructor: Dave Bjorlin
Course description: This course delves into the theological and practical dimensions of children in the church’s worship life. The approach is biblical, theological, historical and practical, and the course addresses such topics as mystery, vocation, spirituality, participation, incorporation, and sacraments as they pertain to children and Christian worship. Some attention will also be given to youth.
Take this class if: You’re interested in leading with children or youth. This class also fulfills the CEDF elective requirement for MACF and MACM students. If you are an MACF or MACM student planning to graduate in December 2019 or May 2020, and you have not yet taken a CEDF elective, we highly recommend you sign up for this course!
MNST 6230 Preparing for Weddings, Baptisms, and Funerals
Dates: June 3-7, 8am-5pm
Instructors: Dwight Perry and David Sutton
Course description: Students will consider the challenges of preaching and planning worship in postmodern, multicultural settings, and learn to develop liturgies and prepare sermons using a variety of methods that will enhance their effectiveness in the local church. Prerequisite: MNST 5115 Preaching the Word.
Take this class if: You need some elective credits and you are preparing for a ministry setting in which you will be preaching at weddings, baptisms, or funerals. This class is incredibly practical, so we highly recommend it!
SPFM 6303 The Embodied Spirit: Dust and Spirit
Dates: June 6-8, 6:30-9:30pm on Thursday and Friday, 9am-5pm on Saturday
Instructor: Deb Auger
Course description: This spiritual formation topic course is designed to develop self- awareness as to how people inhabit their longings. The focus of this study will be discernment as to how the body might experience and express longings for personal health, relationship intimacy, sexual integrity, and vocational satisfactions, in ways that embody the expression, “The body is for the Lord and the Lord is for the body” (1 Cor. 6:13). Prerequisite: SPFM 5201.
Take this class if: You need a spiritual formation elective.
FLDC 5300 Vocational Excellence
Dates: June 10-13, 8am-5pm
Instructors: Dave Kersten and Carol Lawson
Course description: This intensive focuses on issues of vocational identity and healthy professional patterns. In addition, it is designed to explore the meaning of credentialed and endorsed ministry in the Evangelical Covenant Church and the responsibilities and competencies of those called to these positions. Areas of inquiry will include: licensing, commissioning, ordination, ethical guidelines, formal care and discipline, collegiality, ministerial health and boundaries. Taken in the student’s first year.
Take this class if: You haven’t yet! VE is a requirement for all degree programs. This class should be taken by all first-year students.
HSTY 6300 History and Theology of the Covenant
Dates: June 10-14, 8am to 5pm
Instructor: Mark Safstrom
Course description: This course provides students a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the history and theology of the Evangelical Covenant Church, from its roots in Sweden to its current multiethnic reality. Students will apply skills of historical research and analysis, developed in previous courses, to their own denominational history and explore the significance of this history to the present mission and identity of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Take this class if: You are an M.Div. or MACF student in need of your denominational history requirement. This class also fulfills requirements for ordination in the Evangelical Covenant Church.
SPFM 5211 Intercultural Spirituality: Praying Together
Dates: June 13-15, 6:30-9:30pm on Thursday and Friday, 9am-5pm on Saturday
Instructor: Deb Auger
Course description: This seminar-styled course will seek to address the students’ experiences of community and engagement with cultures other than one’s own through the lens of prayer. The Lord’s Prayer as a common and biblical Christian prayer will frame the conversation as together we explore its ability to cross divides of community, culture, and history.
Take this class if: You haven’t yet! Intercultural Spirituality is required for all degree programs.
As always, please feel free to reach out to your advisor or Academic Services at semacademicserv@northpark.edu with any questions or concerns. Praying you’re well as we head into mid-terms!