Course Description: Baptism is more than a one-time event in the life of a Christian. It is the beginning of a lifetime commitment out of which to live. Evangelism is an essential component of that commitment. Baptism is often understood as the way we become members of the family of God, changing our relationship to the church and the world. The promises made at baptism are often not understood to be connected to evangelism, but our “yes” in baptism commits us to it.  The seminar is designed for clergy and other church leaders who preach and/or teach in a congregational setting, or who serve in other capacities and have an interest in discipleship formation and evangelism and want to strengthen their understanding of the connection between baptism and our call to share the Good News. 
 
During this week, we will explore the connection between baptism and Beloved Community, what Beloved Community looks like, and the church’s role in participating in this vision that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King described. Participants in this event will:
  1. Explore the implications of baptismal commitments (vows/promises) in general and in their own tradition;
  2. Examine how to intentionally emphasize baptism and evangelism in their preaching and teaching;
  3. Identify barriers to Beloved Community in and out of the church, and 
  4. Begin to reimagine vocation and ministries in light of building Beloved Community informed by an understanding of baptism.
Location: Harrington Center 222 and other locations on the campus of Columbia Theological Seminary

With: Dr. Lisa M. Weaver, assistant professor of worship at the seminary and other leaders. Dr. Martha Moore-Keish, the J.B. Green Professor of Theology at the seminary, the Rev. Adriene Thorne, senior minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, NY and the Rev. Dr. John H. Vaughn, executive pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA.

Schedule: General schedule below. Please click HERE for a more detailed schedule and topics.
 
Tuesday
April 26
2:00 PM – 7:00 PM (dinner included)
Wednesday
April 27
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (dinner on your own)
Thursday
April 28
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (dinner provided on campus)
Friday
April 29
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
    
Program Fee: $175; includes six meals

Housing: available on campus; queen suites $291.60; regular rooms/single $259.20 and regular room/double (per person) $166.86. All rates for three nights and include tax (April 26 arrival, April 29 departure)

Meals:  Six meals included; two lunches, two dinners, three breakfasts
 
Contact: lifelonglearning@ctsnet.edu

Earning CEUs for this course: If you desire to earn a certificate confirming earned CEUs in this course, please contact the Center for Lifelong Learning.

In order to qualify for CEUs in this course you must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Confirm that you have read the assigned text.
  2. Participated in the full course and all discussions.
  3. Completed any assignments, papers, and projects.
  4. Completed the course evaluation.
  5. Made a formal request for a CEU certificate.