August 2026 Course Descriptions

Liturgical Leadership:  The Rev. John Spicer    (P/D, Year One)

Christian Theology 2 
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, 5th ed. Wiley-Blackwell, 2025 (or 4th ed. Wiley-Blackwell, 2018).
  • McGrath, Alister. Theology: The Basic Readings, 3rd ed. Wiley Blackwell, 2018.
About Your Instructor
  • Dr. Jonathan Platter    is an Associate Professor of Theology with primary specialism in contemporary systematic theology, especially trinitarian theology and eschatology. In 2020, he completed a PhD in Christian Theology at the University of Cambridge and has taught at several universities in the US and UK. He attends St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in the Diocese of West Missouri.

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.

Liturgical Leadership
x
Required Texts
  • x

Your Instructor
  • The Rev. John Spicer

The Practice of the Eucharist
This course prepares students to plan and lead eucharistic worship according to the tradition of The Episcopal Church as expressed in The Book of Common Prayer (1979). It encourages and deepens the life-long formation of clergy as faithful presiders at Holy Eucharist. Learners who successfully complete Practice of the Eucharist will:
  •            increase their familiarity with the structures of Sunday eucharistic worship and Liturgies for Special Days (e. g., baptisms, funerals, services of Holy Week)
  •  practice planning eucharistic worship services;
  •   practice celebrating Sunday eucharistic services; and
  •    learn where to access authorized and helpful resources for planning   and leading Episcopalian eucharistic worship.
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 (New York: The Church Hymnal Corporation, 1985).
  • Patrick Malloy, Celebrating the Eucharist: A Practical Ceremonial Guide for Clergy and Other Liturgical Ministers  ( New York: Church Publishing, 2007).
  • Lionel Mitchell and Ruth Meyers, Praying Shapes Believing: A Theological Commentary on the Book of Common Prayer (New York: Seabury Books, 2016).New York, 1985).
Your Instructor
  • The Rev. Dr. Marshall Crossnoe is a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, currently serving as long-term clergy supply at St Vincent’s Episcopal Church, in Weingarten, MO. He has served as Dean of The Episcopal School For Ministry, of the EDoMO, and also as an instructor for ESM. From 2008-2019 he 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 St Louis, 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 13.  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  Focus Weekend meets  in person and on Zoom on  August 8-9, 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 11.
  • Grades due on September 30.

Tuition & Scholarships
  • For students in our partner dioceses, tuition is $100 to audit a class in person or online, $282 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.
  • For students from outside our six partner diocese, tuition  details are available  here.
  • BKSM scholarships are available to students in our six partner dioceses. Find more information about how to apply here.
Register Now for August Courses