April 2026 Course Descriptions
Anglican History
This course provides students an introduction to Anglican thought in historical context from the Reformation of the sixteenth century to the present. We will see how major reformations shaped a global communion.
Required Texts     
  • Moorman, J. R. H. A History of the Church in England, 3rd ed. 1980.
  • Kwok Pui Lan, The Anglican Tradition from a Postcolonial Perspective. Seabury, 2023.
Your Instructor
  • The Very Rev. Dr. Don H. Compier (Ph.D. in theology, Emory University) is retired as  Dean of the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. Previously, Compier taught Master’s and Ph.D. courses in theology, philosophy, and modern church history at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. He has also offered classes at Saint Paul School of Theology and Eden Theological Seminary. He led the graduate program in religion at Graceland University from 2002 until 2014, developing an innovative online curriculum and travelling all over the world. He is currently conducting research on the history of the Daily Office. He is a guide and teacher at the Ignatian Spirituality Center of Kansas City, MO.

Christian History Survey (D)
This course is a survey of Christian history from its origins to the present. We will examine the key events and figures, as well as the various cultural and social contexts. Special attention will be paid to the distinctive traditions of belief and practice that developed as Christianity grew and expanded into different parts of the world.
Required Texts  
  • Mullin, Robert Bruce. A Short World History of Christianity. Revised Edition. Louisville: Westminister John Knox Press, 2014.
Your Instructor 
  • The Rev. Dr. Sean C. Kim is the Associate Rector at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Kansas City, Missouri. In addition to serving at the church, he teaches East Asian and world history at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. His research focuses on the history of Protestant Christianity in Korea. Originally from a Presbyterian and Methodist background, he was “Anglicanized” through his studies at the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. He received his B.A. from Cornell University and M.Div., A.M., and Ph.D. from Harvard University.

Preaching I
This course is designed as an introductory view to the world of preaching and as an “on-ramp” to designing and delivering sermons rich in content that articulate the lived and scriptural experience of the word of God.  Objectives are to:
  • Explore constitutive elements of preaching and types of sermons.
  • Establish a trustworthy hermeneutical and exegetical process for sermon design.
  • Elicit your own homiletical voice and style.
  • Prepare and preach a sermon on an assigned text.
  • Practice giving and receiving feedback on sermons from a generous community.
Required Texts
  • Cressman, Lisa Kraske. Backstory Preaching: Integrating Life, Spirituality, and Craft. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2018,
Your Instructor
  • The Very Rev. Torey Lightcap is Dean of Grace Cathedral in Topeka, Kansas. Prior to this recent appointment he served as Canon to the Ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas for five years. He is an alumnus of the Seminary of the Southwest (M.Div, ’04), Oklahoma State University (M.S., ’96), and Oklahoma Baptist University (B.A., 1994).
BKSM welcomes you to take courses with us for personal enrichment or continuing education. Classes are richer with occasional students around the table.  We encourage you to experience this remarkable, uplifting community of learning, worship and fellowship for yourself!

April Overview
  • Classes begin on Monday, March 16.  You will receive an email and syllabus directly from your instructor. If you have  not received anything from your instructor by Tuesday, please contact us.
  • The in-person Focus Weekend meets  April 11-12 , on Saturday from 7:30 am-9:00 pm and on Sunday from 7:30am-12:15pm.
  • The detailed weekend schedule is here.
  • Classes end on Friday, May 15.
  • Grades due May 31.

Tuition & Scholarships
  • Tuition is $100 to audit a class in person or online, $240 to take a class for credit in person, which includes  overnight accommodations at Upton Hall &  meals, $165 to take a class for credit on Zoom.
  • Apply for the $100 Jim Upton lay scholarship. Scholarships also available for students on an ordination track.
  • Many hotels are available throughout Topeka. Most are 15 minutes away or less.
Register for April Courses