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PRACTICING THE WAY OF JESUS
One of the most important things Christian leaders can do right now is not only to practice the way of Jesus, but also to apprentice others in his life-giving way. Christianity is embodied in a series of practices – prayers, service, hospitality, silence, forgiveness, reconciliation, simplicity, and Eucharist – to name a few. In this seven-week class participants will study, practice, debrief, and think about how they will share some of the core Christian practices. The final class assignment will involve designing a series of gatherings around spiritual practices participants can use in their faith communities or relational networks.
Learn more and register here.
Zoom meeting dates: Mondays, August 29, September 12, 26 & October 3, 2022; 7:00-8:30 PM CT
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BUILDING SOLIDARITY TOGETHER
Join a Solidarity Circle!
Faith leaders, clergy, and organizers today feel more isolated than ever.
We are over-resourced and under-connected. We need spaces and networks to organize together.
As virtual peer-networks of faith leaders, organizers, and members of the community interested in the cooperative and solidarity economy, Solidarity Circles are built to meet this need.
Participants go through a 9-month dialogical, educational process grounded in community praxis to help diversely align their institutions or communities with the solidarity economy.
Learn more and apply here.
Applications close August 29, 2022
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BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS CULTURE AND RACE
Meaningful steps toward dismantling racism start with understanding our own cultural lens and learning to listen deeply in relationship with others.
This course trains you to build your ability to recognize and reconstruct your own cultural racial bias. Through the Intercultural Development Inventory assessment, learning plan and one-on-one coaching, you’ll gain increased awareness, understanding, and skills in navigating race and culture.
Learn more and register here.
Wednesdays, Sept. 14, 28 and Oct. 12, 26, 2022; 7:00-8:30 PM CT
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LEADERSHIP SKILLS: A LEARNING EXPERIENCE AT THE INTERSECTION OF FAITH AND COMMUNITY
Calling lay leaders, volunteers, council chairs, moderators, task force members, and more…
Leadership Skills is 5 units spread throughout the year, combining self-guided learning with live Zoom sessions with the instructor(s). Register for any of the learning units individually OR for the full year at a discounted rate.
Unit 5: Creating Fabulous Faith-Filled Meetings (or How to Avoid Meetings from Hell): Inspiring Church Leaders to New Levels of Serving and Being Together
- Self-guided: September 15-November 28, 2022; Zooms Sept. 30, Oct. 1, Nov. 11 & 12, 2022
Learn more and register here.
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ANTIRACIST PRACTICES FOR FAITHFUL LEADERSHIP
Whether your leadership has been centered in racial justice for decades or you are yearning to take steps to embody antiracist values in your ministry, this cohort will offer a space to learn, explore, and practice bringing racial justice to the core of your leadership. The goal of this cohort is to equip participants with an awareness of our own complicity with white supremacy, and expand our tool to embody antiracist leadership.
Registration closes September 16 or when the cohort fills.
Learn more and register here.
Cohort dates are Wednesdays (1:00-2:30 CT):
- September 21
- October 5 & 19
- November 2, 16 & 30
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TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP THE LASSO WAY
“Be curious, not judgmental” in this playful yet thoughtful look at Apple TV+’s beloved Emmy-winning show, Ted Lasso. The sho will be a jumping-off point for topics such as courageous leadership, power dynamics, the perils of toxic positivity, accountability and repair, cultural humility, and the elements of teamwork amid expansive diversity.
Registration closes September 16, or when the cohort fills.
Learn more and register here.
Cohort dates are Wednesdays (1:00-2:30 PM CT):
- September 21
- October 5 & 19
- November 2, 16 & 30
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ENNEAGRAM AND LEADERSHIP
The Enneagram of Personality is a system that describes nine ways of seeing the world. The aim of both the cohort and the individual coaching sessions will be to deepen essential strengths and develop new capabilities for effective leadership. Using an interactive approach to studying the Enneagram, we will identify natural gifts and reflexive tendencies; develop strategies for problem-solving; become conscious of blind spots and triggers; approach conflict with self-awareness; and refine our communications with others.
Registration closes September 30, 2022; or when the cohort fills.
Learn more and register here.
Cohort dates are Tuesdays (2:00-3:30 CT):
- October 4
- November 1
- December 6
- January 3
- February 7
- March 7
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SEVENFOLD COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
Sevenfold is a user-friendly, spiritually grounded framework of social transformation. It integrates ideas powerful enough to capture the complexity and dynamics of social transformation yet straightforward enough to be useful in daily work.
Small group coaching and action-learning. The Community of Practice builds on Sevenfold training and is for change leaders wanting to deepen their practice of justice making.
Nine (9) monthly 2.5 hour sessions.
Learn more and register here.
October – June via zoom
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LEADERWISE CROSSFORM
CrossForm presents concepts of healthy leadership and movement toward change, while honoring the various relationships leaders hold with congregation members and what they contribute in the process of change. CrossForm also ponders culture and meaningful ministry in the present time.
CrossForm includes coaching for pastors throughout the year-long journey. The group of pastors learn from each other and their coach. The concepts, workshop-style teaching, and the coaching all support the pastor and their congregation toward meaningful ministry.
CrossForm is designed for four or five congregational leaders to join the pastor for the workshops so that learning, engagement and dreaming of meaningful ministry happens together.
Learn more here.
New program/cohort begins Saturday, October 8, 2022; 3-hour workshops held on five Saturdays (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM/noon CT):
Oct. 8, 2022; Jan. 21, 2023; April 22, June 10, September 16, 2023
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MISSIONAL MANAGEMENT: FROM ‘SCARCITY’ PATTERNS TO GOD’S DREAM
How can existing faith communities use their resources for creative experiments in meeting God in their neighbors and neighborhoods? How can your faith community escape the pattern of scarcity to realize God’s dream for your congregation? What the heck is ‘missional management’ anyway?
Join this seven-week online course exploring the foundations and supporting structures for movements and institutions engaged in God’s mission. Anyone who seeks to help their faith community move beyond maintenance and into mission are encouraged to join this course.
Learn more and register here.
Tuesdays, October 11, 25, November 8, 22, 2022; 7:00-8:30 PM CT
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HEART LONGINGS: AN INVITATION TO THE CONTEMPLATIVE PATH
Does your heart long for a deeper connection to God within a community of like-hearted souls? Heart Longings: An Invitation to the Contemplative Path is an eight-month program that begins and ends with 24-hour retreats and meets monthly on Saturday mornings in-between.
Learn more about Heart Longings and apply here.
Free info session on Zoom – August 11, 2022; 5:00-6:00 PM CT
November, 2022 – June, 2023 ONLINE
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THE SOUL OF TRANSFORMATION: EXPLORING VOCATIONS IN SOCIAL JUSTICE
This podcast and resource is for future leaders who not only see and name the realities of injustice in the world but can imagine new and better solutions. This is for change agents, people who want to work toward achieving authentic racial justice, mitigating the dire impacts of climate change, facing the challenges of immigrants and refugees, and ensuring equality for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
This project is open to anyone, but is designed for undergraduates engaged with social justice and change.
Listen to the podcast, download the reflection handbook and learn more here.
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ECO-JUSTICE CONCENTRATION AT UNITED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
How can faith leaders and theological academics address the pressing issues facing our planet? As looming ecological crises threaten the earth and the ability for future generations to thrive, United is answering the call to care for creation with a new concentration in Eco-Justice.
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*AUDIT A COURSE
Members of the community are invited to audit courses at United Theological Seminary. Consider auditing:
- Preaching and Your Public Voice
- Social Analysis and Community Engagement
- Leadership and Strategies for Social Change
- Introduction to Spiritual and Personal Formation
- History of Arts and Theology
- Religious and Theological Interpretation
View the Classroom Schedule and Course Syllabi for Spring 2022 here.
Learn more about auditing a course at United here.
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We’re excited to share professional development through our partner, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and other excellent teachers and institutions.
