January 2027 Course Descriptions

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.

Paul
This class is an introduction to Paul’s letters for those who have had little or no exposure to the academic study of Paul and his assemblies. It will attempt to help students understand Paul’s letters within the socio-historical, political, and cultural contexts of the first century. In addition, it will emphasize how these letters function as rhetorical documents intended to promote embodiment of the gospel. The goal of the course is to provide the student with a rudimentary understanding of basic interpretive issues as well as tools with which to engage in responsible theological interpretation of Paul’s letters. 
Required Texts             
  • Given, Mark D. ed., Paul Unbound: Other Perspectives on the Apostle, 2nd ed. ESEC 25. Atlanta: SBL Press, 2022.
  • Gorman, Michael J. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. Third edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2021.
  • The SBL Study Bible. Edited by Steven L. McKenzie, Kristen De Troyer, and F. Scott Spencer. HarperCollins Publishers, 2023.
Your Instructor ​
  • Dr. Mark D. Given earned a PhD in Religious Studies from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and joined the faculty of Missouri State University in 1998. He retired in 2026.  At MSU he primarily taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the area of biblical studies, while also teaching courses on theories of religion and religion and science.  He served as the director of MSU’s Religious Studies graduate program for many years.  He is the author of Paul’s True Rhetoric: Ambiguity, Cunning, and Deception in Greece and Rome, and the editor of and contributor to Paul’s Unbound: Other Perspectives on the Apostle. He is also the editor of and contributor to the Oxford Handbook of New Testament Rhetoric which will be published in December 2026. Given is now working on a cultural contexts commentary on Galatians.

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.

Christian Ethics 
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            
  • Coming soon.
Your Instructor 
  • Dr. Carl   Miller
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  14.  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 9-10 , 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  12.
  • Grades due February 28.

Tuition & Scholarships
  • 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.
  • 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