It is said Jesus did not speak "except in parables.” The parables are part of what made Jesus a master teacher. This class will discuss the nature of parables, how they hide and reveal, and how one might teach or preach from the parables. Teacher: Mark Manassee

What does it take to be an effective leader in a local church, nonprofit, or ministry environment? This is a question that countless churches have wrestled with, whether it's in the context of recruiting volunteers to serve in existing ministries, installing elders to shepherd the congregation, or searching for new ministers to love and lead the church. This class will explore a simple but essential truth from God’s Word: The best leaders strive to have a heart like Jesus did, because who we are on the inside will always be more important than what we do on the outside. The goal of this class will be to give existing leaders a roadmap on how to love and lead like Jesus did, as well as give churches some important principles to keep in mind as they think about recruiting new leaders to serve their congregations. We’ll be incorporating some key passages from the Bible and recommending some great resources that explain why churches sometimes gravitate towards toxic leaders—and how to avoid making that same mistake in your congregations. Teacher: Bryan Fojtasek

For many congregations, finding the right individuals to serve on their ministry staff is a difficult season that involves a broad search and interview process. But what if God is growing your staff within your own community? In this class we will explore the ways developing future ministry staff from within a congregation can be done, the theological and practical reasons to do it, and share how our own church has thrived through such an experience. We will realistically tackle the challenges and blessings. As churches confront budgetary challenges and preacher shortages, this process may become an essential way to find more workers for the harvest. Teacher: Caleb Borchers

A few years ago, I confessed to a friend, "I get jealous when I hear others say they married their best friend, because I didn't." In the same conversation I challenged us both to learn to love our wives better. What resulted was a year of Jesus teaching me how I could be more loving. I also learned in the process that my jealousy was based on a false assumption. Let's discuss some of what I learned! Teacher: Kevin Knight

Hope for renewal and revival for churches that are small or stuck Teachers: Jon Reed, Kevin Withem

The studies have shown for decades the uptick in young people leaving the Church after high school. Many churches have struggled to respond to the shifting topography of culture and identity. Perhaps what is needed most are churches that are truly investing in their young people and passing on a faith built on compassion, not doctrine alone. But where to begin? If you are struggling to help your congregation to journey with and mentor young people, this session will offer some helpful ideas and conversation. Teacher: Kyle Williams

Most Christians I know are dreading this fall’s presidential election. “It’s going to be bad.” “We’re going to lose friends.” “I’m worried about my church.” “The world is going to fall apart if the other team wins.” How might the apostle Paul coach a church entering in this season? By taking a careful look at how Paul approached the fault lines threatening to fracture the Christians in Rome (with special attention to Romans 14), this class will offer a positive vision for how a church might proactively engage the election season as an opportunity to be a “disruptive witness” in a saturated market of rage. Teacher: Phil Brookman

Psychiatrist and award-winning author Curt Thompson, along with Luke Norsworthy, will discuss God's transforming work of taking our grief into a lasting peace that surpasses all understanding. Suffering is a defining reality of life. Yet so many of us are so focused on avoiding discomfort that we've never learned how to actually suffer. But what if we could move from anxiety to durable hope? This is a two-part series. Teachers: Luke Norsworthy, Curt Thompson, MD

Hosted by the Boone Center for the Family Teachers: John Philip and Karen Louis

When we appreciate that human beings are lovers, and that our loves are shaped by rituals and routines—“liturgies”—then we should recognize afresh what is at stake in the practices of Christian worship. This session will explore the ways in which worship is the heart of discipleship and how we can be intentional in creating (re)formative worship environments. Teacher: James K.A. Smith