February 2018 Course Descriptions
BKSM welcomes all laypersons to take courses with us for personal enrichment or continuing education! We encourage you to experience the remarkable environment of learning, worship and fellowship that makes BKSM such a special place.
February courses begin officially on January 15, when instructors send out the syllabus to students.
The focus weekend takes place February 10-11, and final assignments are due March 12 (if you take the class for credit).
While the weekend begins with breakfast at 7:30 for students on ordination and lay license tracks, course instruction does not begin until 1:00 p.m., which gives you the flexibility of driving to Topeka on Saturday morning, rather than on Friday evening. If you are taking a class for personal enrichment or continuing education, you are welcome to spend the night at Upton Hall on Friday night, and join us for breakfast and morning prayer on Saturday morning. While the 8:45 colloquium session is a closed group for students on an ordination track, you are most invited to join us at 10:15 for our praxis session, which addresses some practical area of ministry.
If you would like to audit a course, the tuition is $100. If you would like to take the class for credit, the tuition is $180. The cost (whether you audit or take for credit) includes meals and overnight accommodations at Upton Hall on Friday and Saturday night (on a space-available basis). If you wish to take the class for credit, we encourage you to enroll by January 15. However, if you wish to audit the class, you may register at any time prior to the focus weekend.
Get started by completing the course registration form. If you have specific questions, contact the Very Rev. Dr. Don Compier, BKSM dean, at bksmdean2@gmail.com or (816) 217-4053.
February courses begin officially on January 15, when instructors send out the syllabus to students.
The focus weekend takes place February 10-11, and final assignments are due March 12 (if you take the class for credit).
While the weekend begins with breakfast at 7:30 for students on ordination and lay license tracks, course instruction does not begin until 1:00 p.m., which gives you the flexibility of driving to Topeka on Saturday morning, rather than on Friday evening. If you are taking a class for personal enrichment or continuing education, you are welcome to spend the night at Upton Hall on Friday night, and join us for breakfast and morning prayer on Saturday morning. While the 8:45 colloquium session is a closed group for students on an ordination track, you are most invited to join us at 10:15 for our praxis session, which addresses some practical area of ministry.
If you would like to audit a course, the tuition is $100. If you would like to take the class for credit, the tuition is $180. The cost (whether you audit or take for credit) includes meals and overnight accommodations at Upton Hall on Friday and Saturday night (on a space-available basis). If you wish to take the class for credit, we encourage you to enroll by January 15. However, if you wish to audit the class, you may register at any time prior to the focus weekend.
Get started by completing the course registration form. If you have specific questions, contact the Very Rev. Dr. Don Compier, BKSM dean, at bksmdean2@gmail.com or (816) 217-4053.
Christian Theology I (D)
This course provides a biblical, historical, and systematic overview of the following Christian concepts: Revelation, the Bible, God, Creation, Humanity and Sin. The goal of this course is to provide students enrolled on the diaconal track (as well as lay students interested in personal enrichment) with a theological foundation for effective ministry in the world today.
Book List
Christian History II (P)
This course explores Christian history from the later Middle Ages to the late 20th century. Highlights include the wisdom of medieval theology, the Protestant and Catholic reformations, European Christianity encountering new continents and cultures, shock waves of the Enlightenment, and the great age of missionary activity.
Book List
Social Ministry (Saturday class meeting at Trinity, Lawrence)
This course will explore the Biblical, theological, and historical foundations of social ministry in an Episcopal/Anglican context. Participants will also gain a basic understanding of contemporary issues related to poverty in our communities such as, but not limited to, hunger, education, senior citizens, housing, mental health, refugee resettlement, and other issues which push persons to the margins of society.
Required Texts
Preaching II
For this class, students will be expected to provide two or more previously delivered homilies for the focus weekend. They will also write and present homilies composed during the seminar. Students will need to bring writing materials or electronic word processing for use in the seminar
Book List
Lutheran Worship
Worship of the Christian assembly is at the heart of the church’s identity and purpose. It is in worship that we gather together as the people of God, in the presence of God, to hear the gospel, the good news of Christ, be fed with his body, so that we can be sent out to be that body, the body of Christ, in the world. This class will explore the purpose and importance of worship, as well as the central elements. We will also explore what makes worship “good” and meaningful, inviting people into a deeper relationship with God and one another so they are empowered to go out and serve the Lord and how we can plan and lead worship in a way that enhances the experience for all.
Required Reading
This course provides a biblical, historical, and systematic overview of the following Christian concepts: Revelation, the Bible, God, Creation, Humanity and Sin. The goal of this course is to provide students enrolled on the diaconal track (as well as lay students interested in personal enrichment) with a theological foundation for effective ministry in the world today.
Book List
- Alister McGrath, Theology: The Basics, 3rd ed. Wiley-Blackwell, 2012.
- Alister McGrath, Theology: The Basic Readings, 2nd ed. Wiley Blackwell, 2012
- Dr. Wilburn (Bill) T. Stancil is Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Rockhurst University, Kansas City. Since 1980, he has taught theology at four different universities and theological seminaries. Dr. Stancil is a licensed lay preacher in the Episcopal Church and a frequent speaker to civic groups and churches of many denominations in the Kansas City area.
Christian History II (P)
This course explores Christian history from the later Middle Ages to the late 20th century. Highlights include the wisdom of medieval theology, the Protestant and Catholic reformations, European Christianity encountering new continents and cultures, shock waves of the Enlightenment, and the great age of missionary activity.
Book List
- Mullin, Robert Bruce. A Short World History of Christianity. Revised Edition. Louisville: Westminister John Knox Press, 2014, pages 111-299.
AND - Noll, Mark A. Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2012, pages 121-237, 261-305 (omit ch. 11).
- The Very Rev. Dr. George Wiley taught religion at Baker University for 35 years and has been serving the Diocese of Kansas as canon pastor since 2014. He holds a Ph.D. in historical theology from Emory University. As a teacher, he is known for engaging with students and creating an inviting classroom atmosphere
Social Ministry (Saturday class meeting at Trinity, Lawrence)
This course will explore the Biblical, theological, and historical foundations of social ministry in an Episcopal/Anglican context. Participants will also gain a basic understanding of contemporary issues related to poverty in our communities such as, but not limited to, hunger, education, senior citizens, housing, mental health, refugee resettlement, and other issues which push persons to the margins of society.
Required Texts
- Christian Social Witness. Harold T. Lewis, 2001
- What Every Church Member Should Know about Poverty. Bill Ehlig & Ruby K. Payne, 1999.
- The Rev. Charles A. (Chas) Marks is Priest-in-Charge of St. Augustine's Church in Kansas City, MO and also serves as a Senior Advisor for Community & Church Relations for the Saint Francis Foundation. He is a graduate of Wichita State University, Saint Meinrad School of Theology, and The Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. Prior to his ordination to the priesthood in 2015, Chas worked in social services in Kansas City, MO and Memphis, TN. He spent 10 years managing programs that assist homeless and runaway youth in the Kansas City metropolitan area and also served on the Advisory Board of the National Safe Place Network. Chas has presented at several national conferences on issues around homeless youth and advocacy. Both he and co-instructor, Mthr. Anne Kyle, are certified facilitators of Called to Transformation: An Assest-Based Approach to Engaging Church & Community.
- The Rev. Anne Meredith Kyle is an Episcopal priest and serves Calvary Episcopal Church, Sedalia, MO. She is a 2015 graduate of BKSM and holds a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Anne also works as a registered nurse in public health emergency preparedness. Anne’s continuing education has largely focused on adult learning and group facilitation. Anne is married to the Rev. Michael Kyle. They rejoice in a blended family of three children and three grandchildren. They live in Jefferson City, MO near The Katy Trail and enjoy riding bikes.
Preaching II
For this class, students will be expected to provide two or more previously delivered homilies for the focus weekend. They will also write and present homilies composed during the seminar. Students will need to bring writing materials or electronic word processing for use in the seminar
Book List
- Buechner, Frederick. Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale.
- The Rev. George Pejakovich graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1967. He served ten years as an Infantry Officer, commanding two companies in Viet Nam. He resigned in 1977 to attend Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbus, Ohio, but returned to the Army as a Chaplain in 1979, serving in numerous postings, and became the Commandant of the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School in 1994. After retiring from the Army in 1999, he became pastor of a Lutheran congregation in Columbia, SC. He moved to Topeka in 2001, and since 2004 he has served as Assistant to the Dean of Grace Episcopal Cathedral. He resides happily with wife, Joyce, and a large standard poodle named Jaeger.
Lutheran Worship
Worship of the Christian assembly is at the heart of the church’s identity and purpose. It is in worship that we gather together as the people of God, in the presence of God, to hear the gospel, the good news of Christ, be fed with his body, so that we can be sent out to be that body, the body of Christ, in the world. This class will explore the purpose and importance of worship, as well as the central elements. We will also explore what makes worship “good” and meaningful, inviting people into a deeper relationship with God and one another so they are empowered to go out and serve the Lord and how we can plan and lead worship in a way that enhances the experience for all.
Required Reading
- Introduction to Christian Liturgy by Frank Senn
- Centripetal Worship: The Evangelical Heart of Lutheran Worship, by Timothy Wengert, editor
- Central Things: Worship in Word and Sacrament by Gordon Lathrop
- The Use of the Means of Grace (this can be downloaded at www.elca.org)
- The Rev. Susan Candea received her BA from California Lutheran College in 1979 and her Masters of Divinity in 1983 from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. She was ordained in the American Lutheran Church (which became the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1988) in September of 1983, serving as the pastor of a two-point parish in western Kansas, and when she began serving a two-point parish in western Kansas. From there she served as the pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran, Topeka, KS and King of Glory Lutheran, Loveland, CO. After 30 years of serving as a parish pastor, where she planned, lead, and presided at worship Sunday, she was called to serve as the Bishop’s Associate and Director for Evangelical Mission for the Central States Synod. Over the years, she has taught workshops and classes for lay leaders in a variety of areas, including worship.