CONTINUING EDUCATION

Class Descriptions

📖 Seeing Salvation: Christian Art through the Ages - Instructor: Rev. Jen Fite

The Gospels give no physical description of Jesus’s appearance during his earthly life. Jesus likely looked like an ordinary, first-century Jewish Galilean. And yet, Jesus is by far the depicted person in global art.

In this course, we will study the dominant images of Jesus through the centuries, from the Good Shepherd to Warner Sallman’s Head of Christ (aka “Hollywood Jesus”), and we will explore the biblical stories and theology behind our most beloved images. Each month we will also engage in Visio Divina, the practice of praying with a sacred image or work of art.

🔗 Class Syllabus- Coming Soon!

📖 Reclaiming Evangelism for Shy Lutherans- Instructor: Rev. John Meachen

“Wow! That is amazing!” “I can’t believe that can make such a difference!” “It really works!” “It totally changed the way that I see things” “It gives me hope.”

Whether it’s a new James Patterson novel, a song by Taylor Swift, a yoga class, a new recipe, a diet, or even a new dishwashing soap; we have no problem sharing what we have found to be helpful with anyone who will listen. We want people to experience what we have discovered. If this is true about us, then why is it so difficult to share the joy, the Good News of what Christ has done for the world? Why are we so shy about sharing how the Good News impacts our lives?

This class, will focus on the Good News revealed in scripture, especially in the book of Acts and our distinctive Lutheran understanding of that Good News. This course will then explore and create practical ways of sharing the Good News outside and within the walls of our congregations. Our hope for this course is that what we discover and experience together will be put into practice in the life of our congregations. What would it look like to “Reclaim” and put into practice a faithful, biblical, Lutheran understanding of Evangelism? Join us shy Lutherans as we create a path forward for sharing the Good News.

📖 Extraordinary Care in Ordinary Times - Instructor: Rev. Will Ostrem

Pastoral Care has long been viewed as an entity of the church reserved solely for the clergy. Pastoral Care is really God's ministry that we, both clergy and laity, have the humble privilege of participating in. It is the intentional words and actions of journeying with our siblings in Christ. It is about people knowing that they are seen, heard, remembered, and loved. Such intentionality is the extraordinary care we give in our daily lives to our family, friends, and congregation members. Jesus called his disciples from among the people, encouraged them to use their gifts, empowered them with the Holy Spirit, and sent them out to give of their heart in caring for those who need it. This world is still seeking such disciples today. Those disciples are you. This class will be exploring how the laity are called into this vocation of providing extraordinary care for a world that is seeking God's presence today. Over the course of the year, we will be looking at the foundation of care, exploring different personality and ministry styles, discussing interpersonal communication, and equipping ourselves and others in this ministry for the many ways this ministry is lived out. Such extraordinary care takes place from worship to visitations and from celebrations to being present in a time of grief. We will be learning together from a variety of resources including books, some articles, guest presentations, and you. as many of you are already a part of this humbling ministry, you bring with you experiences that will allow the class to learn from each other. We look forward to having you among us as we journey on this path together. 

📖 Preaching- Instructor:  Rev. Rachel Knoke

Preaching is an art so much more than a science. But like all art forms, there are techniques and disciplines to learn that not only make us better preachers, but hopefully more informed listeners. Over these nine months together we'll dive into the art of preaching. We will look at the component pieces of crafting a sermon as well as delivery, while also reflecting on what it means to preach as an act of faith. The structure of this class will be a little non-traditional. Every month, we will spend the first hour together in learning, with the instructor rotating locations each month. Whichever site the instructor is in person, those students will then spend a second hour in practical studies together, working on the mechanics of public speaking as well as sermon delivery. It will be the expectation that all students write and deliver at least one sermon during the course of the class. 

🔗Class Syllabus- Coming Soon!

📚 Continuing Education Textbooks

Seeing Salvation: Christian Art through the Ages
Rev. Jen Fite   Friday 6:00-7:30 p.m.

• TBD

Reclaiming Evangelism for Shy Lutherans
Rev. John Meachen  Friday 7:40-9:10 p.m.

• Troy M. Troftgruben, Bearing Witness in Acts and Today

(Cascade Books 05/16/2025). ISBN 13: 9781666754124

Extraordinary Care in Ordinary Times

Rev. Will Ostrem    Saturday 9:00-10:30 a.m.

• TBD

Preaching

Rev. Rachel Knoke   Saturday 10:40-12:10

• TBD

🗓️ Typical Class Schedule

Friday Evening:

• 5:15 – 6:00 p.m. Dinner

• 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Seeing Salvation: Christian Art through the Ages - Instructor: Rev. Jen Fite

• 7:40 – 9:10 p.m. Reclaiming Evangelism for Shy Lutherans- Instructor: Rev. John Meachen

Saturday Morning:

• 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast

• 8:30 – 8:50 a.m. Worship

• 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Extraordinary Care in Ordinary Times - Instructor: Rev. Will Ostrem

• 10:40 – 12:10 p.m. Preaching - Instructor:  Rev. Rachel Knoke