Online conversations equip congregations to nurture young adults

Funded by the Texas Methodist Foundation and produced in coordination with Perkins School of Theology Office of External Programs, a series of online learning conversations will give participants practical tools to serve teen and young adult Christians. Free for participants, these live conversations are perfect for laypeople, youth workers, and clergy who want to gain additional tools for ministering to teens and young adults in their congregations. Five webinars are scheduled for this spring on Jan. 20, Feb. 10, Mar. 3, Mar. 24, and Apr. 7. Each of the live Zoom sessions are…continue reading →

Sarah Wilke Joins Institute for Discipleship as Director of Global Relations

WINFIELD, KS — Sarah Wilke has been appointed director of global relations for the Richard and Julia Wilke Institute for Discipleship, effective Jan. 1. This newly created position will support the Institute's growing focus on international ministry, and Wilke's initial priority will be to help develop a smart-phone platform for small-group Christian education. "We're thrilled that Sarah brings with her an impressive background in communications, community development, and international publishing," says Institute Executive Director Steve Wilke. "Her gifts and experiences will allow us to enhance our capacity for innovation and build on our…continue reading →

Upcoming Online Courses Focus on Biblical Education, Interpretation

Nov. 28, 2021 – A pair of upcoming online courses from BeADisciple.com will focus on Bible education, with enrollment open now. “Teaching Adults” and “Biblical Interpretation” are two-week classes that will begin in January.  The courses’ instructor, Rev. Beth Perry, has more than 30 years of experience in the pastorate and has taught these classes multiple times each year for the past six years.  “One of the things that has happened during the past couple of years is that the number of Bible users actually has gone up,” Perry says. “Research by the Barna Group shows that as COVID-19 took over, there was a drop in the proportion…continue reading →

Cultivating Grit: Mohler-Seib Publishes Defense of Struggle in Firebrand Magazine

Wendy Mohler-Seib, director of faith formation for the Institute for Discipleship, is author of an article published in the Nov. 16, 2021, issue of Firebrand magazine. In it she outlines why shielding youth from struggle may be counter to developing faith. "Grit, practicing joy in the face of hardship, matures us into the likeness of Jesus Christ. This is the grit Paul exercises and urges the church to develop in Philippians. The encouragement does not necessitate a search for suffering, for suffering is inherent in the human story. However, rejoicing in the face…continue reading →