October 2023 Course Descriptions

Adult Catechesis and Formation
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.
Required Texts     
  • Bass, Diana Butler. Christianity After Religion: The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening. HarperOne, 2012.
  • Everist, Norma Cook. The Church as Learning Community: A Comprehensive Guide to Christian Education. Abigdon Press, 2002.
  • Fowler, James W. Becoming Adult, Becoming Christian: Adult Development and Christian Faith. Jossey-Bass,  2000.
  • Westerhoff, John H. III. Will Our Children Have Faith? Wipf & Stock, 1999.
Recommended, but not Required Text     
  • Tickle, Phyllis. The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why. Baker Books, 2008.
Your Instructor
  • The Rev. Dr. Bill Fasel is a retired Episcopal priest. During his career as a priest, he served small churches with a primary goal of developing ministry teams of lay and ordained leaders. Fasel holds a D.Min. in Congregational Development from Seabury-Western.

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.
Required Texts     
  •  Chapman, Mark D. Anglican Theology. T&T Clark, 2012.
  • Moorman, J. R. H. A History of the Church in England, 3rd ed. 1980.
  • Spencer, Steven, ed., Theology Reforming Society: Revisiting Anglican Social Theology. SCM Press, 2017.
Your Instructor
  •  The Very Rev. Dr. Don H. Compier (Ph.D. in theology, Emory University) is 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. He is currently conducting research on the history of Eucharistic thought in the Anglican tradition. He is completing his internship to be a guide to persons doing the Ignatian Exercises.

Christian Theology II
Christian Theology II provides a biblical, historical, and systematic overview of the following Christian concepts: Christ and Salvation, the Holy Spirit, Church and Sacraments, and Eschatology. The goal of this course is to provide diaconal candidates (as well as lay persons interested in personal enrichment) with a theological foundation for effective ministry in the world today.
Required Texts
  • McGrath, Alister. Theology: The Basics, 4th ed. Wiley-Blackwell, 2018.
  • McGrath, Alister. Theology: The Basic Readings, 3rd ed. Wiley Blackwell, 2018.
Your Instructor
  • Dr. Wilburn (Bill) T. Stancil is Professor Emeritus of Theology and Religious Studies at Rockhurst University, Kansas City. From 1980 to 2020, he taught theology at four different universities and theological seminaries. Dr. Stancil is a licensed lay preacher in the Episcopal Church and a frequent speaker in churches of many denominations in the Kansas City area.

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.
Required Texts
  • Matthews, V. & Moyer, J. The Old Testament: Text and Context, 3rd edition. Baker, 2012.
  • Matthews, V. & Benjamin, D. Old Testament Parallels,  4th edition. Paulist, 2016.
Your Instructor
  • 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.
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!

October Overview
  • Classes begin on Monday, September 11.  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 Focus Weekend meets  October 14-15, 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, November 10.
  • Grades due November 30.
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 October Courses