October 2017 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 to be.
October courses begin officially on September 11, the focus weekend takes place October 14-15, and final assignments are due November 10.
While the weekend begins with breakfast at 7:30 for students on ordination 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, 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 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 September 11. 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.
October courses begin officially on September 11, the focus weekend takes place October 14-15, and final assignments are due November 10.
While the weekend begins with breakfast at 7:30 for students on ordination 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, 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 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 September 11. 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.
Old Testament I
Old Testament I will focus on methods for biblical study, major topics like covenant, law, and prophecy, and will provide students with a clear sense of historical and cultural context for these materials. While this is a survey, it will emphasize those “must know” concepts, personages, events, and literary genres essential to a basic knowledge of the Old Testament.
Book List
Anglican History
This course provides students an introduction to Anglican thought in historical context from the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century to the present. Students will meet the great minds of the English Church and consider their continuing relevance today.
Book List
The primary focus of the class is on the ancient and modern catechumenate, especially in terms of preparation for baptism and confirmation. The course will also look at other formation issues for adults, particularly vocational discernment and spiritual direction.
Book List
Doctrines of the First Person
This course will explore classical doctrines of the First Person, including God, Trinity, Creation, Providence, Humanity, and Sin. Special attention will be given to the sub-themes of religion and science and the problem of evil and suffering.
Book List
Old Testament I will focus on methods for biblical study, major topics like covenant, law, and prophecy, and will provide students with a clear sense of historical and cultural context for these materials. While this is a survey, it will emphasize those “must know” concepts, personages, events, and literary genres essential to a basic knowledge of the Old Testament.
Book List
- V. Matthews & J. Moyer, The Old Testament: Text and Context (3rd edition; Baker, 2012)
- V. Matthews & D. Benjamin, Old Testament Parallels (4th edition; Paulist, 2016) – if the 4th edition is available by October, I would prefer that students use that new edition
- Dr. Victor Matthews is a Professor of Religious Studies and Dean of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs at Missouri State University. He holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, specializing in the social world of ancient Israel. He currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Examining Chaplains for the Diocese of West Missouri.
Anglican History
This course provides students an introduction to Anglican thought in historical context from the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century to the present. Students will meet the great minds of the English Church and consider their continuing relevance today.
Book List
- Recommended references work: J. R. H. Moorman, A History of the Church in England, 3rd ed. (1980)
- Avis, Paul. Anglicanism and the Churistian Church: Theological Resources in Historical Perspective, Revised and Expanded. T & T Clark: 2002.
- The Very Rev. Dr. Don H. Compier (Ph.D. in theology, Emory University) is Dean of the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. He also serves as Canon Theologian of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas and presides at the Spanish service at St. Paul’s in Kansas City, Kansas. 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. He is currently conducting research on the history of Eucharistic thought in the Anglican tradition.
The primary focus of the class is on the ancient and modern catechumenate, especially in terms of preparation for baptism and confirmation. The course will also look at other formation issues for adults, particularly vocational discernment and spiritual direction.
Book List
- Everist, Norma Cook. The Church as Learning Community: A Comprehensive Guide to Christian Education
- Fowler, James W. Becoming Adult, Becoming Christian: Adult Development and Christian Faith
- Westerhoff, John H. III. Will Our Children Have Faith?
- The Rev. Dr. Bill Fasel has been an Episcopal priest since 1990. He currently serves as the Ministry Developer for the Northeast Episcopal Regional Ministry in the Diocese of West Missouri. He is also the Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership Development. Fasel holds a D.Min. in Congregational Development from Seabury-Western.
Doctrines of the First Person
This course will explore classical doctrines of the First Person, including God, Trinity, Creation, Providence, Humanity, and Sin. Special attention will be given to the sub-themes of religion and science and the problem of evil and suffering.
Book List
- McGrath, Alister. Christian Theology: An Introduction, 6th edition. Wiley Blackwell, 2016
- Schaab, Gloria L. If God Is for Us: Christian Perspectives on God and Suffering. Anselm Academic, 2016.
- 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.