EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

• “The Rural Church in God’s Country” is the topic for an online book study hosted by the Part-Time Pastor, Full-Time Church program of the Church of the Brethren Ministry Office. Pastor Brad Roth, in his book God’s Country: Faith, Hope, and the Future of the Rural Church, and Allen Stanton, author of Reclaiming Rural: Building Thriving Rural Congregations, champion rural ministry and the dedicated leaders who make it possible. Sessions will be facilitated by “circuit rider” John Fillmore. The series of 10 sessions begins on Sept. 2 and will be held every Tuesday for approximately 90 minutes, starting at 7 p.m. (Eastern time). Continuing education units are available and can be requested when the book study evaluation form is completed. Register at https://forms.gle/cCanuEcqx4Bmbym79. For questions, email John Fillmore at filmojo@gmail.com or Tabitha Rudy at adminptpftc@brethren.org. 

• Upcoming courses from the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership include “Introduction to Hebrew Bible,” online Oct. 22-Dec. 16, led by Matt Boersma (registration deadline Sept. 10). Register and pay online at Brethren Academy Course Registration/Biannual TRIM Payment | Bethany Theological Seminary (bethanyseminary.edu). Courses on the schedule for 2026 include “Church of the Brethren Beliefs and Practices,” “Introduction to Educational Ministry,” “Church History 1,” “Introduction to Preaching,” “Introduction to Biblical Studies,” and “Introduction to the New Testament.”

• Upcoming Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center (SVMC) continuing education courses include “The Shape of Ministry in a High-Tech World,” led by Dan Poole, Sept. 15, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Central, via Zoom, cost $45; “Caring for Congregational Members at the End-of-Life” (for clergy), led by Julie Guistwite, Oct. 7, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Central, via Zoom, cost $35; “Supporting Terminally Ill Congregation Members” (for laypeople), led by Julie Guistwite, Oct. 28, 8:30-11:30 a.m.. Central, via Zoom, cost $25 (group discount available); and “Weakness Transformed in the Gospel of Matthew,” led by Dan Ulrich, Nov. 1, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Central, via Zoom (or in person in Huntingdon, Pa.), cost $45 (additional $20 for in-person). Course prices are $10 less without

CEU’s. Register by visiting the SVMC course page or by contacting Karen Hodges at karenhodges@svmccob.org.

• McPherson College’s “Ventures in Christian Discipleship” series will offer “Preaching and Storytelling,” by Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm, Sept. 16 and 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Central (0.4 CEU’s); “Immigration Solidarity,” by Founa Badet and Matt Guynn, Oct. 21 and 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Central (0.4 CEU’s); and “Making Sense of God’s Violent Behavior in the Old Testament,” by Eric Seibert, Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Central (0.3 CEU’s). All sessions are via Zoom. Suggested donation is $25 per course. Learn more and register at https://www.mcpherson.edu/ventures/.

• Lombard Mennonite Peace Center offers a variety of training sessions. Upcoming options include “Peaceful, Productive Pastor-Parish Partnerships,” Aug. 20 via Zoom; “Strengthening the Body of Christ,” Sept. 16 via Zoom; “Restorative Conversations,” Sept. 17 or Dec. 10 via Zoom; and “Conflict Transformation Skills,” Sept. 11 via Zoom. The Mediation Skills Training Institute will be held in person in Glen Ellyn, Ill., Sept. 29-Oct. 3. For details and registration information, go to https://www.lmpeacecenter.org/trainings.

• Designed particularly for ministers new to the Church of the Brethren denomination, Bethany Theological Seminary’s new certificate of achievement in ministry studies (CAMS) includes six courses that focus on Brethren history and theology, practical experience with the ordinances and preaching of the church, biblical interpretation, and peace studies. The certificate can be completed in two years or even one year, depending on course offerings. Five of the six courses can be completed at a distance. For more information go to https://bethanyseminary.edu.