January 2026 Course Descriptions

Christian Ethics (D)
This class is designed for students enrolled on the deacon track as well anyone seeking a better understanding of Christian Ethics for personal enrichment.
Required Texts            
  • Lovin, Robin 2. An Introduction to Christian Ethics: Goals, Duties, and Virtues. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2011.
The following may be purchased but excepts will be o provided by the instructor prior to class:
  • Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Ethics, Trans. Reinhard Krauss and Charles West. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works - Readers Edition. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2015.
    • Select essays: "The 'Ethical' and the Christian as a Topic" and "The Concrete Commandment and Divine Mandates"
  • Cannon, Katie Geneva. Katie’s Canon: Womanism and the Soul of the Black Community, Revised and Expanded 25th Anniversary Ed. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2021.
    • Select Essays: “Moral Wisdom in the Black Women’s Literary Tradition (1984)” and “Unctuousness as Virtue: According to the Life of Zora Neale Hurston (1987),” pp 31-58. 
  • Dussel, Enrique. Beyond Philosophy: Ethics, History, Marxism, and Liberation Theology. Ed. Eduardo Mendieta. Oxford: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2003.
    • Select Essays, ”Domination – Liberation: A New Approach” and “The Bread of the Eucharist Celebration as a Sign of Justice in the Community,” pp 21-40, 41-52.
  • Daly, Mary. Feminist Theological Ethics. Ed. Lois K Daly. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1994
    • Select essay, “The Spiritual Revolution: Women’s Liberation as Theological Re-Education,” pp 121-134.
  • Harrison, Beverly Wildung. Making the Connections: Essays in Feminist Social Ethics. Ed. Carol S Robb. Boston: Beacon Press, 1985.
    • Select Essay, ““The Power of Anger in the Work of Love: Christian Ethics for Women and other Strangers” pp 3-21.
  • Hauerwas, Stanley. The Hauerwas Reader. ed. John Berkman and Michael Cartwright. Durham and London: Duke University Press, 2001.
    • Select essays: "“Vision, Stories, and Character (1973, 2001)” and "Jesus and the Social Embodiment of the Peaceable Kingdom (1983)”
  • King, Jr. Martin Luther. “Transformed Nonconformist” in Strength to Love. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2010, pp 12-20.
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 I
This course examines Christianity history during the first millennium, from its origins in Palestine to the spread of the faith to Europe. Key topics include the early church, the Constantinian revolution, monasticism, Christological controversies, and the rise of Islam.
Required Texts             
  • Wilken, Robert L. The First Thousand Years: A Global History of Christianity. Yale University Press, 2012.
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.

Polity  &  Canons
This course provides an overview of the governance of The Episcopal Church, including the Constitution and Canons of the Church, General Convention, the offices of the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies, the regional Provinces, the respective Dioceses (including the constitution and canons of the dioceses represented in the class) and the individual congregations.  In addition we will look at the governance (or lack thereof) of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the place of The Episcopal Church within that Communion.
Required Texts               
  • Many Parts, One Body – How the Episcopal Church Works, James Dator with Jan Nunley. New York: Church Publishing, 2010.
  • Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church 2022: Together with the Rules of Order Adopted by the General Convention, also available online at https://generalconvention.org/constitution-and-canons/                     
Your Instructor 
  • Mr. Mike Morrow is an attorney with over 30 years service as a career law clerk in the U.S. District Court in Kansas.  He is a former member of the Council of Trustees in the Diocese of Kansas and previously served as Council President.  He presently serves as the intake officer.  He has been a deputy to seven general conventions, from 2003 through 2022.  At General Convention, he served on the Title IV, Constitution, and Canons committees, including the 2009 Convention which drafted the present Title IV canons.
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!

January Overview
  • Classes begin on Monday, December  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/Zoom Focus Weekend meets  January 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, February  13.
  • Grades due February 28.

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 January Courses