EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

• The denomination’s Part-Time Pastor/Full-Time Church program this spring will be sponsoring a free four-week online cohort called Practicing the Way: The Sabbath Practice for all multi-vocational pastors. It will use Practicing the Way, a book by John Mark Comer, which describes nine different spiritual practices (Sabbath, Solitude, Scripture, Prayer, Fasting, Generosity, Community, Service, and Witness) that can help followers of Jesus “Be with Jesus, Become like Jesus, Do as He Did.” The cohort will explore and practice the spiritual practice of Sabbath by learning about the practice, practicing the practice (in between sessions), reflecting on the practice, and processing the practice together. Session themes will be “Stop,” “Rest,” “Delight,” and “Worship.” Sessions will be each Monday evening at 6 p.m. Central from April 13 to May 4. Videos last 30 minutes; sessions last anywhere from one hour to one hour and 30 minutes. Register by April 8 at https://forms.gle/fdWzs6P1nnu7YZw5A. 

• Upcoming courses from the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership include “Introduction to Preaching,” online hybrid with onsite class in Richmond, Ind., May 19-22 (note new dates), and two Zoom sessions before, led by Dava Hensley (registration deadline March 24); “Multivocational Ministry,” online, Aug. 19-Oct. 13, led by John Fillmore (registration deadline July 22); and “Cultivating an Everyday Faith,” online, Sept. 23-Nov. 17, led by Joan Daggett (registration deadline Aug. 19). Register and pay online at Brethren Academy Course Registration/Biannual TRIM Payment | Bethany Theological Seminary (bethanyseminary.edu). Other courses on the schedule for later in 2026 include “Introduction to the New Testament.”

• McPherson College’s “Ventures in Christian Discipleship” series will offer “God’s Earth, Our Home: Engaging Creation Care through Faith,” led by David Radcliff, May 2 (note new date), 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Central. 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 “Restorative Conversations,” May 12 via Zoom; “Conflict Transformation Skills,” June 10 or Aug. 26 via Zoom; and “Strengthening the Body of Christ,” Sept. 16 via Zoom. For details and registration information, go to https://www.lmpeacecenter.org/trainings. LMPC has also begun offering free quarterly clergy roundtable events. Watch their website for details on future roundtable opportunities (next on April 16).

• The L.E.A.D. (Listen – Equip – Adapt – Disciple) Conference Planning Team is now offering “Third Thursday” quarterly webinars with the goal of providing congregational leaders with tools to grow in their leadership abilities. The next one will be March 19, on “Discipling Leaders,” led by Lidia Gonzalez. Continuing education credit is available. Learn more at www.brethren.org/thirdthursday. Registration for this year’s L.E.A.D. Conference, May 1-3 at Ephrata (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, is now open at www.brethren.org/dlf/lead-conference. The scripture theme is Hebrews 11:8, which talks about Abraham following God through unfamiliar territory. Tod Bolsinger, author of Canoeing the Mountains and Tempered Resilience, will be the keynote speaker. Michaela Alphonse, pastor of Miami (Fla.) First Church of the Brethren, will be the opening preacher. Through March 31, early registration is $99 per person or $79 per person for 5 or more from the same congregation for in-person attendance or $49 for virtual attendees.

• 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.