The purpose of this course is to teach the fundamentals of a lay counseling ministry in the local church. These consist of an appropriate counseling methodology; a basic understanding of the kinds of problems parishioners bring into a church setting; and a clear delineation of the limits of this ministry, both morally and legally. 

  We will examine the practice of Sabbath-keeping in the context of a four-hour retreat to a local retreat center. As we explore belief and practice, we will look for the intersections between doctrine and discipline while we seek ways to deepen our belief and shape our spiritual formation.

This course will be an investigation of the theories, qualities, and practices of Christian leadership. It will be based on principles in Scripture and other related sources including literature and assessments. Self-reflection and assessment of leadership skills, strengths, and style, will be conducted with attention to developing a personal philosophy of spiritual and transformative leadership.

In this two quarter course, even though we begin with the Old Testament, we will continually keep in mind the whole Bible. In highlighting the themes emphasized by the authors of each book, we will examine questions of authorship, historical context, literary style, and the distinctive contribution of each writing in the salvation history leading to Jesus Christ.