EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

• Upcoming courses from the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership include “Multivocational Ministry,” online, Aug. 19-Oct. 13, led by John Fillmore (registration deadline July 22), 2 CEU’s available; “Cultivating an Everyday Faith,” online, Sept. 23-Nov. 17, led by Joan Daggett (registration deadline Aug. 19); and “Introduction to the New Testament,” online, Oct. 21-Dec. 15 (registration deadline Sept. 16). Register and pay online at Brethren Academy Course Registration/Biannual TRIM Payment | Bethany Theological Seminary (bethanyseminary.edu).

• The Brethren Academy's Directed Independent Study Unit, Redeeming AI: Biblical Guidelines, will be a two-step program requiring registration for both the Minister's Association Pre-Annual Conference event on June 27 in Fort Wayne, Ind., and the DISU itself. Russell Haitch will be the speaker at the pre-annual conference event, while Tabitha Rudy will be the instructor in the DISU. This course will explore what AI is, how to make informed decisions on its use in ministry settings, and identify some biblical principles for how to interact with it. For TRIM and EFSM students, this course fulfills the multiple program requirements. For those looking to fulfill CEUs, this course is worth 2 CEUs. Registration deadline is May 6.

• Mediator, professor, and consultant Betty Pries’ book The Space Between Us: Conversations About Transforming Conflict will be the focus of the next offering by the denomination’s Part-Time Pastor, Full-Time Church program. The nine-week discussion of Pries’ book will be facilitated by “circuit rider” John Fillmore on Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m. Central Time starting April 21 and concluding June 16. Register at https://forms.gle/Gxmt4fgh8PBbGmrDA. This book discussion leads up to Pries’ presentations at the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference this summer in Fort Wayne, Ind.: the Discipleship and Leadership Formation Dinner on Monday, June 29; an Equipping Session on the evening of Monday, June 29; and the Clergywoman’s Breakfast on the morning of Tuesday, June 30.

• 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; “Peaceful, Productive, Pastor-Parish Relationships,” May 14 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, 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Central).

• Registration for this year’s L.E.A.D. (Listen – Equip – Adapt – Disciple) 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. Registration is $140 through April 24. A virtual option is also available; registration $75 through April 24.

• New Community Project continues to offer learning tours to “Go. Meet. Learn. Grow. Change – yourself and your world.” Upcoming trips include: Ecuadorian Amazon, May 28-June 3 (native communities, toucans and pink dolphins, toxic tour, nature's splendor); Borneo, June 11-19 (orangutans & sun bears, mangroves, palm oil plantations, snorkeling amidst coral, beaucoup biodiversity); Lybrook, N.M., July 8-14 (Dineh (Navajo) life and culture, Chaco Ruins, magnificent vistas, medicine woman, daily work around the site); Denali/Kenai Fjords, July 27 – August 4 (hiking, wildlife (sheep, moose, bears), volunteer day at dogsled kennels; whales and puffins along the coast); Yellowstone/Tetons, early August 9-16 (thermal springs, waterfalls, bison, 'mazing mountains, camp and hike); Nepal, January 12-24, 2027 (hosted by Shakti Samuha, learn about human trafficking and meet survivors; visit Chitwan National Park (rhinos!)). Find more information at www.newcommunityproject.info or contact dradcliffncp@yahoo.com.

• 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.