August 2024 Course Descriptions

Christian Theology II
Christian Theology II provides a biblical, historical, and systematic overview of the following Christian concepts: Christ and Salvation, the Holy Spirit, Church and Sacraments, and Eschatology. The goal of this course is to provide diaconal candidates (as well as lay persons interested in personal enrichment) with a theological foundation for effective ministry in the world today.
Required Texts

• McGrath, Alister. Theology: The Basics, 4th ed. Wiley-Blackwell, 2018.
• McGrath, Alister. Theology: The Basic Readings, 3rd ed. Wiley Blackwell, 2018.

Your Instructor

• Dr. Wilburn (Bill) T. Stancil is Professor Emeritus of Theology and Religious Studies at Rockhurst University, Kansas City. From 1980 to 2020, he taught theology at four different universities and theological seminaries. Dr. Stancil is a licensed lay preacher in the Episcopal Church and a frequent speaker in churches of many denominations in the Kansas City area.

Homiletics for Lay Preachers
This course provides students an overview of basic homiletical principles as these pertain to the ministry of lay preaching. Students will offer practice sermons.
Required Text     

• Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching, third edition. Westminster John Knox Press. 2016.

Your Instructor

• The Rev. Dr. Bill Fasel is a retired Episcopal priest. During his career as a priest, he served small churches with a primary goal of developing ministry teams of lay and ordained leaders. Fasel holds a D.Min. in Congregational Development from Seabury-Western.

Introduction to Scripture
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the Bible, both Old and New Testaments and begin to answer some fundamental questions, such as: Where did the Bible come from? What are its sources of development? What do we believe about authorship? What is the cultural context of our sacred scriptures? And much more…!
Required Texts           

• Arterbury, Anthony E.; Bellinger, Jr. W.H.; and Dodson, Derek S.. Engaging the Christian Scriptures: An Introduction to the Bible (Second Edition). Baker Academic Publishing, 2021.
  
• Gonzalez, Juston L. The Bible in the Early Church. Eerdmans Publishers, 2022.
• The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (including the Apocrypha), preferably a study edition

Recommended, Not Required

• Wright, Nicholas. Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship. Eerdmans Publishing: 1994.

Your Instructor

• The Rt. Rev. Michael P. Milliken is the 5th Bishop of the Diocese of Western Kansas (Resigned). As a priest for almost 5 decades, Bishop Milliken has served parishes in Kentucky and Kansas. He holds degrees from the University of Kentucky; The Episcopal Theological Seminary in Kentucky; and Xavier University in Cincinnati. Over the years, in addition to parish work and serving the wider church in many ways, Bishop Milliken has taught Contemporary Theology at Xavier University as well as courses in Old & New Testament; Morals and Ethics; and Comparative Religion at the Hutchinson Community College.  He has served as the Interim Bishop of Kansas, and more recently, as the Interim Rector of St. Stephen’s in Wichita.  Currently Bishop Milliken is the Assisting Bishop in Western Kansas.  He oversees the work of the Commission on Ministry and education for ministry in the diocese.  Bishop Milliken sits on the Board of Directors for BKSM, having served as Vice-chair, and Chair.

Practice of the Eucharist
This course prepares students to plan and lead eucharistic worship according to the Book of Common Prayer (1979). It encourages and deepens the life-long formation of clergy as thoughtful, prayerful, and faithful presiders at Holy Eucharist. Upon successful completion of this course, learners will be

1. familiar with the development of the eucharistic liturgy in the Book of Common Prayer, 1979;
2. able to outline (from memory) the structure of the eucharistic liturgy in BCP79;
3.  focusing and strengthening their understanding of eucharistic theology, and their sense of eucharistic style;
4.  able to design eucharistic services for the various seasons of the church year;
5.  familiar with and learning to assess the additional and supplemental resources for eucharistic liturgy authorized by The Episcopal Church; and
6. able to lead a normal Sunday eucharistic service, and liturgies for Special Days (e. g., baptisms, funerals, services of Holy Week) with competence, confidence, and elegance.

Required Texts                     

•  Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, according to the use of The Episcopal Church, 1979 (Church Hymnal Corporation, New York: 1979). ·      
• The Hymnal 1982, according to the use of The Episcopal Church (The Church Hymnal Corporation: New York, 1985). 
•      Marion Hatchett, Commentary on the American Prayer Book (HarperOne: San Francisco, 2013).
• Ralph McMichael, The Eucharistic Faith (SCM Press: London, 2019).
•  Dennis Michno, A Priest’s Handbook: The Ceremonies of the Church (Church Publishing: New York, 1983).
•  George Wayne Smith, Admirable Simplicity: Principles for Worship Planning in the Anglican Tradition (Church Publishing: New York, 1996).
• The instructor will supply an additional bibliography of recommended texts and URLs.
  

Your Instructor

• The Rev. Dr. Marshall Crossnoe is currently serving as part-time volunteer clergy at Grace Episcopal Church, in Jefferson City, MO. Previously, he served as Dean of The Episcopal School For Ministry, of the Episcopal School for Ministry, and also as an instructor for ESM. He also served as part-time Vicar at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Fulton, MO, and at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Portland, MO. He earned an MABS degree in Church History from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1986, and a PhD in Medieval Church History from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1986. His publications and research interests are in the areas of church history and historical theology. He lives in Jefferson City, MO, with his wife Debbie.

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!

August Overview

• Classes begin on Monday, July 15.  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  August 10-11, 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, September 13.
  
• Grades due on September 30.

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 Now for August Courses