February 2019 Course Descriptions
BKSM welcomes anyone to take courses with us for personal enrichment or continuing education!
We encourage you to experience the remarkable community of learning, worship and fellowship that makes BKSM such a remarkable place for formation.
Did you know that scholarships are available for students taking classes for personal enrichment?
February courses begin officially on January 14, the focus weekend takes place February 9-10, and final assignments are due March 8.
While the weekend begins with breakfast at 7:30 for students on ordination, lay certificate and PMA tracks, course instruction does not begin until 1:00 p.m., which gives you the flexibility of driving to Topeka on Saturday morning
That being said, 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 ordination, PMA, and lay certificate tracks, you are encouraged 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 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 14. If you wish to audit the class, you may register at any time prior to the focus weekend. However, your learning experience will be better if you have time to complete the assigned readings for the class.
Get started by completing the online course registration form. If you have any questions, please contact the Very Rev. Dr. Don Compier, BKSM dean, at bksmdean2@gmail.com or (816) 217-4053.
We encourage you to experience the remarkable community of learning, worship and fellowship that makes BKSM such a remarkable place for formation.
Did you know that scholarships are available for students taking classes for personal enrichment?
February courses begin officially on January 14, the focus weekend takes place February 9-10, and final assignments are due March 8.
While the weekend begins with breakfast at 7:30 for students on ordination, lay certificate and PMA tracks, course instruction does not begin until 1:00 p.m., which gives you the flexibility of driving to Topeka on Saturday morning
That being said, 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 ordination, PMA, and lay certificate tracks, you are encouraged 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 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 14. If you wish to audit the class, you may register at any time prior to the focus weekend. However, your learning experience will be better if you have time to complete the assigned readings for the class.
Get started by completing the online course registration form. If you have any questions, please 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 I
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
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 I
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.
- Students will also be invited to read another text on issues related to poverty in the United States and lead a discussion in class about the particular text. A list of potential books for this project will be included with the syllabus.
- The Very Rev. Charles A. (Chas) Marks is Rector 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. Fr. Chas is the Dean of the Northwest-Metro Deanery of the Diocese of West Missouri. 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, Fr. 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. Fr. Chas has presented at several national conferences on issues around homeless youth and advocacy. He is a certified facilitator of Called to Transformation: An Assest-Based Approach to Engaging Church & Community.
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.