Upcoming Workshops

IFD100 How to Provide Your Workshop Online -- February 13-24, 2012 -- $100

This is a two-week workshop designed to familiarize participants with the mission of the Institute for Discipleship and BeADisciple.com, the basics of planning and teaching online workshops, and the basics of the use of Blackboard software. Participants will complete a series of exercises. In the first week, you will use the software as a student in order to give you familiarity with the perspective of the "students" in online workshops. You will also begin to think about a potential workshop you might want to offer online. In the second week you will be given a workshop site of your own to administer as if you were leading a workshop. Many participants who come into the How To workshop with ideas end up developing much of their actual workshop in the second week. Once you have completed the How To workshop, you will be certified to offer your own workshop through the Institute for Discipleship and BeADisciple.com.

One live meeting time is set for the second Tuesday of the session at 10 am Central Time. The session is not mandatory and will be recorded for you to view if you cannot attend.

Access to all BeADisciple.com courses begins at noon Central Time of the publicized start day. You will receive an email containing web location and login information that morning, so please be sure to add the email address BeADisciple@sckans.edu to your list of approved senders. If you have questions about how online workshops work, please check our FAQ's page.

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How to Become a Disciple Online Facilitator -- Self-paced training -- $50

Do you have persons in your congregation who are missing out on DISCIPLE because of their schedules? Do you have some whose travel keeps them from committing to a weekly class meeting? Do you have some who might like to take DISCIPLE with others who have a similar life experience? How about the appeal of participating in a serious, transformational Bible experience with other Christians from around the world?

The Institute for Discipleship is providing an opportunity for Christian leaders to participate in DISCIPLE Bible Study -- online!

In this workshop, DISCIPLE Bible Study facilitators will learn how to facilitate this amazing, life-transforming 34-week walk through the Bible in an online format using one of the top educational online software packages available. Used primarily for college online course curriculum, BeADisciple.com offers this software for use for online workshops and other educational opportunities to nurture and enrich Christian leaders, lay and clergy, for effective living and ministry.

What better way to nurture and enrich Christian leaders, and to make disciples of Jesus Christ, than through DISCIPLE Bible Study?!

The training course is now being offered in a self-paced format to meet the demands for the training. Participants will move through the training materials at their own pace with pauses to interact with Lisa, the IFD Assistant Director. The cost is $50. The course will begin upon enrollment (evening enrollment will be processed the next working day). It will take approximately 10 hours to work through the materials. After training is complete, facilitators may use the Disciple Online software materials to lead a group of participants through the 34-week study.

To learn more about Disciple Online, please visit www.BeADisciple.com/discipleonline.

You will receive an email containing web location and login information upon enrollment during business hours, so please be sure to add the email address BeADisciple@sckans.edu to your list of approved senders. If you have questions about how online workshops work, please check our FAQ's page.

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How to Become a Youth Disciple Online Facilitator -- Self-paced training -- $50

In this workshop, DISCIPLE Bible Study facilitators and youthworkers will learn how to facilitate this amazing, life-transforming walk through the Bible for YOUTH in an online format using one of the top educational online software packages available.

In August 2012, BeADisciple.com will be the host site for Youth Disciple Online which is a joint ministry of the Institute for Discipleship (IFD) and the Center for Youth Ministry Excellence (CYMX). It will be provided for $35 per youth (includes digital manual) and is designed to help high school students learn and love the scriptures. This interactive small group experience is a great way to walk through the Bible over the course of a school year together.

The training course is now being offered in a self-paced format to meet the demands for the training. Participants will move through the training materials at their own pace with pauses to interact with Lisa, the IFD Assistant Director. The cost is $50. The course will begin upon enrollment (evening enrollment will be processed the next working day). It will take approximately 6-8 hours to work through the materials. After training is complete, facilitators may use the Youth Disciple Online software materials to lead a group of participants through the 32-week study (also includes an introductory and a closing assignment.).

To learn more about Youth Disciple Online, please visit http://beadisciple.com/youthdiscipleonline

Enrollment is open now, but the training will become available February 1, 2012. You will receive an email containing web location and login information upon enrollment during business hours (after Feb 1), so please be sure to add the email address BeADisciple@sckans.edu to your list of approved senders. If you have questions about how online workshops work, please check our FAQ's page.

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Biblical Storytelling I -- February 13-27, 2012-- $50

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Speaking Ministries.

Learning the sacred stories of Scripture by heart and sharing them with others is both an ancient-future art and a powerful spiritual practice. This workshop’s methods, developed by the Network of Biblical Storytellers International, are for everyone who wishes to learn, to tell and to connect with God and other people through sacred story – yes, you can do it too! By the end of the two-week workshop you will be able to share at least one text with others by heart, and you will understand how this completely non-technological art fits into a digital-communications world. Whether you work with children in Sunday School or dream of bringing Scripture to life in worship or elsewhere, your ministry and your spirit will be enriched by this art.

This is a two-week introduction to the ancient-future art and spiritual discipline of telling the sacred stories of Scripture. Participants will learn to prepare, learn, and tell a Biblical text by heart (not “memory”) using the methods of the Network of Biblical Storytellers International. The workshop is taught by NBS member and United Methodist deacon Beth Galbreath.

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Speaking Ministries.

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Biblical Storytelling II -- April 15-May 7, 2012 -- $75

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Speaking Ministries.

This workshop expands on the methods taught in Biblical Storytelling I. It explores a number of storytelling genres as well as telling the Biblical text, including midrash, chancel drama, first-person storytelling, puppetry, and more. The workshop also offers specific ideas for learning tough passages, using and not abusing voice and body, and enhancing tellings with props, digital media and more, with children and adults. It also suggests ways to deepen your practice of this art as a personal spiritual discipline. Anyone who is already practicing the art of storytelling, Biblical or secular, is welcome; Biblical Storytelling I is an excellent starting place for those new to the art but is not required. In this three-week workshop you will dive deeper into developing your unique storytelling “voice,” expand your technique and polish your art.

Biblical Storytelling I is not a prerequisite for Biblical Storytelling II, but previous storytelling experience is highly recommended.

The workshop is offered by experienced storyteller, Beth Galbreath.

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Speaking Ministries.

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Biblical Storytelling TOGether: The Online Guild -- Ongoing until August 1, 2012 -- $100

Seasoned storyteller, Beth Galbreath, will lead an online sharing community focused on telling the Biblical text by heart. (There will not be formal training in the art as in Biblical Storytelling I, II, and Weekly). This community will meet online monthly on Saturday afternoons (2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. US Central time). It is designed for storytellers who want to connect with a guild in the style of the Network of Biblical Storytellers, but do not have a local NBS-related guild within reach of their travel expense and time. Each month we’ll share a specific storytelling enrichment topic, possibly learn a short story, discuss questions we’re struggling with, help with stories we’re working on, and participate in (or experience) an epic telling of stories coming up in the church year. You can participate as much as you wish during the year. Meetings will be recorded for those who can’t attend on a given date.

A webcam, a microphone, and a high speed connection are required for these sessions. Most webcams have microphones, but a headset (earphones and a mike) will make participating much easier.

Live meeting dates for 2011: Dec. 10.
Tentative dates for spring (participants have input), 2012: Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 17, April 21, May 12, June 16, July 14.

Enrollment will remain open for this online community until full. Interested persons may enroll past the start date of September 1 and start late. Video recording of missed sessions will be available. Workshop fee will remain $100 until February 1 and then be prorated to $70 for the remainder of the course.

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Companions in Christ Small Group Leader Training -- January 23-27, 2012 -- $45

Are you considering leading a Companions in Christ small group? This training opportunity will help prepare you. Leaders who guide Companions in Christ small groups well have practiced the art of listening well (to God, themselves, and others), act as facilitators rather than teachers, and fully enter into the struggles and joys of walking with God along with the members of the group. Through this course, we will prepare to lead well.

The training is 5 days in duration and asks for about 1 hour per day of involvement. Participants will need to purchase copies of the Companions in Christ Leader’s Guide and the Companions in Christ Participants Book. A 20% discount is available when these books are purchased through the Upper Room online bookstore. Information including the discount code will be emailed to you during daytime hours following the receipt of your enrollment.

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Disciple Making 101 - January 9 to February 13, 2012 -- $20

What is the simplest system one can use to make disciples and mature them spiritually to the point where they can make their own disciples?

A flood of new ideas and methods in evangelism has made us skeptical. The innovation that is needed in churches today is far more elementary yet entirely sufficient: Jesus is Lord.

How can we overcome resistance to this innovation?

This workshop offers a specific, step by step plan of spiritual formation based on the discipleship systems of the world's largest and fastest growing churches.

Participants will learn practical spiritual disciplines based on the Great Commission that operate in pre-venient as well as sanctifying grace to develop Christians into better disciples and then disciple makers.

This online workshop is based on Dr. David Kueker's 2008 Doctor of Ministry project on evangelism, church growth and organizational change at Fuller Theological Seminary (www.disciplewalk.com).

This seven session course at an introductory rate is a great way to try out online learning at BeADisciple.com. Participation limited to 18. It will be offered January 9 to February 13, 2012.

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Exploring a Postmodern Gospel -- March 5-30, 2012 -- $69

What is the Gospel? As we progress forward into a radically different and postmodern culture, many are beginning to question the basic assumptions about Christianity and the Gospel message. With the advent of the Internet, people are empowered to speak up about their doubts and issues with many of the traditions we've inherited. Yet what if these questions are actually leading us to a deeper understanding of our own faith?

Led by IFD instructor, Jonathan Brink, this 4 week course will explore a postmodern understanding of the Gospel. It will suggest a very different way of understanding the Good News, one that reconciles in a fresh way. It will walk through the story in detail, allowing the story to inform the reader of both the problem and solution that inform the Good News. It will break down the key moments that make up the Gospel narrative and begin to ask what is God actually doing. It will provide a remarkably simple understanding of Gospel, one that liberates us from the embeddd tension and paradox created by some of our traditional theories of the Gospel.

The course will use Discovering The God Imagination: Reconstructing A Whole New Christianity. Participants will need to order this text.

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Green Church -- March 12-23, 2012 -- $60

In the Bible, salvation and creation are intimately connected. From Genesis' stories of beginnings to Revelation's vision of the renewing of the Earth, the salvation story is set within the context of creation. Yet at the same time, Mother Earth's natural features and abundant creatures are suffering from environmental stresses. How to reconcile the two? The answer lies in practicing biblical stewardship of the earth.

Based on the book by the same name, and faciliated by it's author, Rebekah Simon-Peter, this two-week course is designed to introduce participants to biblical concepts of stewardship of the earth. And how to integrate them into the life of the believer. Through this online community, participants will receive support, share insights, and generate creativity to move their communities of faith into becoming Green Churches. An autographed copy of the book is included in the cost of the course. It will be mailed out shortly after enrollment.

The course will include a project designed to be shared in one's church or faith community.

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Growing Spiritually Through Daily Discipline -- January 17 to March 2, 2012 -- $50 -- Session is FULL

Do you want to grow in your faith journey?
Do you want to help others grow in their faith journey?

This seven week course uses the texts Lay Speakers Grow Spiritually Through Daily Discipline and Devotional Life in Wesleyan Tradition (Steve Harper). Participants will be guided in discerning God's direction for their lives, practicing daily disciplines, and reaching out in love. Participants will participate in weekly class discussions based on their readings and will also experience an online small accountability group. The course will be led by Debra Dickerson.

Participants will need to purchase the texts prior to the start of the workshop. Participants will be expected to be actively involved in the classroom (online) a minimum of three times per week. The accountability group assignments will be divided by gender.

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Speaking Ministries.

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Leading Camp and Retreat Ministries into the Future -- Feb 23 - Mar 8, 2012 -- $40

This online course, led by Kevin Witt and Jack Shitama, focuses on the rapidly changing dynamics impacting camp and retreat ministries and the strategic role of leaders in helping to forge a strong, sustainable future for the sacred places and ministries in our care. The format includes key content presentations, strategic dialogue and planning with other core leaders in the field, research and resource gathering to share, and intentional time for you as a leader to formulate vital next steps in moving forward with your own ministry teams. It is crucial for directors, board members, staff, and key volunteers to step away from day to day operations to focus on strategic direction. The workshop provides a great opportunity to gain insight and tools for this major responsibility.

Note: This course is designed for leaders who are fully employed, so the assignments will be designed for 45 minutes to 1 hour per day during the 2 week course, excluding Sundays. In addition, there will be 6 online class sessions lasting 1 to 1.5 hours each. The goal is to go deeper while making it doable for busy leaders.

The exact day/time for the live sessions will be set once the course begins. You will need a microphone or head-set (combined earphones/microphone). If you are using a built in or plugged in microphone, you may also wish to have some earphones (or ear-buds) to reduce an echo effect which occurs when sound comes through your speakers and then back into your microphone. It is fine to borrow the equipment, but head-sets may be purchased for around $20.

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Living into the Answers: A Workshop on Personal Spiritual Discernment -- Nov 7-18, 2011 -- $100

Are you facing a decision?

How do you know what God wants you to do?

Upper Room

The Art of spiritual discernment involves asking these questions and then living into the answers. This workshop provides students with the opportunity to explore the process of discernment in an on-line setting. The course utilizes the content of the Circles of Discernment as a guide for learning the discernment process. The workshop is based on the book – Living into the Answers: A Workbook for Personal Spiritual Discernment by Valerie K. Isenhower & Judith A. Todd (Upper Room 2008).

Living into the Answers is taught by Valerie K. Isenhower & Judith Todd, authors of the book and experienced on-line teachers. Participants completing the course will receive 1 CEU. The text for the class is Living into the Answers: A Workbook for Personal Spiritual Discernment by Valerie K. Isenhower & Judith A. Todd (Upper Room 2008). The book can be purchased from Water in the Desert Ministries or Upper Room.

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Meditation on Both Sides of the Camera -- January 30 to February 10, 2012-- $105

This class, taught by Val Isenhower, explores the idea of photography as a spiritual practice. Photography is a path to stilling the heart and soul to hear God and to sense the presence of God in the beauty of God’s creation. Meditation behind the camera focuses on how our spiritual lives can inform our photography as we learn to pay attention, to be patient, to center and to focus our eyes in a new ways. Meditation in front of the camera is the act of focusing on the pictures we take to see how they speak to your souls. This course is experiential. We will read materials and discuss ideas on-line. You will also be asked to spend time taking photographs, sharing them with the class and reflecting on the experience.

Participants will have the opportunity to sample pre-publication content from Val's forthcoming Upper Room Books ebook, Meditation on Both Sides of the Camera.

This course is for anyone interested in learning how to include photography in their spiritual journey. Any type of camera will work, although digital cameras will make uploading pictures easier.

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Multimedia Technology in Worship for the Church Volunteer 101 -- February 13-24, 2012 -- $75

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Speaking Ministries.

The use of multi-media technology in worship is growing at an exponential rate. Congregations of all sizes are acknowledging the gift of media technology; however very few have access to formal training.

Rev. John Zimmerman brings his 20+ years of pastoral ministry and his gift of implementing multi-media technology in worship to this seminar. Students will be introduced to the hardware and software in worship technology and discover their ability to plan, create and implement technology in a worship setting. The workshop will also help the student learn about worship itself and the role of technology in design, appropriateness and excellence. Special consideration will be given to budget and a low-cost approach to technology implementation. This workshop is designed for the church volunteer or pastor who would classify themselves as “beginners” in multi-media experience. (Please note that since the workshop utilizes some software that is windows-based MAC users may find some limitations.)

The course content will include:

-Intro to Worship Theory
-Vision-casting, resources, structure
-Budget
-Projectors, computers, sound
-Multi Media graphic resources
-Worship presentation software

This course has been approved by the General Board of Discipleship as an advanced course in Lay Speaking Ministries.

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Reaching Towards Easter: A Lenten Retreat -- Feburary 22 - April 8, 2012 -- $40

The season of Lent is about Preparation. It is about getting ready to "enter [God's] gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise" (Psalm 100:4). Easter celebrates the victory of light over darkness and the reality of the kingdom Christ invites us to explore. Join author Derek Maul and retreat guide Sharon Conley as we prepare for Easter with John's Gospel as our framework.

This Upper Room eRetreat offers:

* a daily scripture, devotional, and prayer to guide you through Lent
* the option of a group discussion weekly with others involved in this eRetreat
* audio and video recordings of scripture readings and insights from Derek Maul

It is essential to have a copy of Derek Maul's book, Reaching Towards Easter, for this eRetreat. A 20% discount is available when these books are purchased through the Upper Room bookstore (via phone or online). The discount code will be emailed to you during regular business hours once enrollment has been processed.

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Retirement Matters: Transitions, Opportunities, Challenges -- January 30 - February 10, 2012 -- $50

This seminar offers those approaching retirement with a better understanding of the personal transitions experienced in this phase of life. Led by Jack Hansen and Jerry Haas, participants also explore the unique opportunities of retirement, which can easily be missed. And finally participants will talk about the important challenges faced as persons age.

The insights offered in this seminar are based upon extensive, in-depth interviews of retired professional men and women from all parts of the country and a wide variety of professional backgrounds (e.g., professors and teachers, business and government executives and professionals, pastors and denominational leaders.) At the end of the course, participants will be able to discern a sense of "next steps" as they move into a retirement life of significance.

The text for the course will be "Shaping a Life of Significance for Retirement," by Jack Hansen and Jerry Haas. The seminar is designed for women and men preparing for retirement, for those in the first few years of retirement, and for professionals helping people plan and prepare for retirement (investment counselors, pastors, social workers, etc.) Participants will need to purchase the book separately.

The course will be covered through six online assignments given on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week beginning Monday January 30, 2012.

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Spirituality and Photography: Lent -- February 13-24, 2012 -- $100

This class taught by Val Isenhower explores the crossroads of photography as a spiritual practice and the spirituality of Lent. Photography can deepen our spiritual journey during this season. We will explore ways to use photography as a spiritual practice for Ash Wednesday, Lent and Easter. We will discuss practical ideas for using photography during the upcoming Lenten season. Participants will also be asked to spend time recording photographs, sharing them with the class and reflecting on the experience.

This course builds on the concepts offered in Meditation on Both Sides of the Camera. Participants who have not participated in that course are welcome, however they will be asked to purchase a pdf file of pre-publication content of Val's book forthcoming Upper Room Books ebook Meditation on Both Sides of the Camera. The eBook is $5 and may be purchased from the instructor.

This course is for anyone interested in learning how to combine photography and the spirituality of Lent and Easter. Any type of camera will work, although digital cameras will make uploading pictures easier.

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Uncensored Prayer: The Spiritual Practice of Wrestling with God -- Feb 27 - March 30, 2012 -- $69

Are you searching for something deeper in your prayer life? Would it be meaningful to have an indepth study in prayer for this season of Lent?

This course is about the spiritual practice of discussing everything with God, risking honesty to gain intimacy through loving, trusting conversations. It's wrestling through anger, faith, pain, hope about every aspect of our lives. No topic, language, or feeling is unholy. It will cover how to know you're hearing from God and explores a variety of ways to pray. This course is an opportunity to discover for yourself the redemptive freedom that comes from being totally honest with yourself and the One who loves you best. As you practice stepping out of your comfort zone, you will begin to experience confidence in speaking freely with God in ways that are uniquely yours.

The instructor, Joy Wilson, is the author of Uncensored Prayer: The Spiritual Practice of Wrestling With God. Prior to starting the workshop, participants need to order this text.

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United Methodist History, Theology, and Practice of Holy Communion -- Feb 20 - March 29 -- $45

A wide-ranging Lenten study of This Holy Mystery, Scripture, Church history, and United Methodist theology and practice of Holy Communion. Led by Beth Galbreath, the format is twice-weekly reading assignments and online discussion on a relaxed schedule: a new topic will be offered only twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays during Lent, 2012, but participants may login and join discussions anytime during the week. This course will reference but go beyond the official documents to include art, music, film and video resources to enrich our understanding and participation in the sacrament.

The course will become available on Monday, February 20 for students to introduce themselves and begin to acclimate to the online environment. The first assignment will post on Thursday, February 23, and proceed to open on Monday and Thursday from there through the completion of the course in March.

Participants will need a Bible and U.M. Hymnal and, if possible, a Book of Worship; other materials will be downloadable documents provided within the course.

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Writing Your Safe Sanctuary Policy Five Day Intensive Workshop -- January 16-20, 2012 -- $50 per person

This five-day online workshop is for congregations who need to write a Safe Sanctuary Policy, but are not yet ready (or cannot) commit a team of persons to the full four-week Safe Sanctuary workshop. Participants will learn the same information that is included in a four-week workshop: why congregations should have a Safe Sanctuary policy, what the policy includes generally and specifically, how to get a policy written and approved, and how to implement it. Participants will have access to the website 24 hours a day and be able to work at a time of day most convenient. There will be two daily readings and one daily discussion question. Participants will be required to post a response to the question and to at least two other participants every day. Participants will not be expected to write the policy during these five days but may send it to the workshop leader for feedback later when it is written!

What's the benefit for participation? Compliance with denominational and Annual Conference requirements! Continuing Education Units, if needed! But more importantly, the Safe Sanctuary policies protect your children and youth, your teachers and leaders, and your congregation’s reputation and resources! What better benefit to you than to know you are helping in such a great mission? As well as all the usual benefits of a Safe Sanctuary workshop, this Intensive Workshop provides the information in a fast, concise way.

Each participant will need a computer and internet connection – dial up, cable, DSL, etc. – and an email address. Because this is an INTENSIVE workshop, participants will need to be involved on the site every day to receive a completion certificate. Plan on reading two documents, posting a response to one question, and posting responses to at least two other participants every day. Plan on spending a minimum of an hour a day. In addition, participants may schedule six weeks of support while writting a Safe Sanctuary policy. The additional time will consist of once-a-week conference calls or chat room conversations and will cost an additional $50.

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