Rediscovering the Heart of Methodism

Instructor:

, ,

Duration:

Five, 4-week courses

Cost:

Free

Format:

Link to Register:

https://duke.is/2y2st

The Rediscovering the Heart of Methodism series provides non-degree, self-paced learning opportunities for cohort and individual study through the Divinity+ platform. This series includes five, 4-week online courses designed to help engaged laypeople and clergy (including local pastors in licensing schools) develop core capacities for innovative leadership within the Wesleyan tradition. Each course includes interactive video lessons from Duke Divinity School faculty and Methodist leaders, plus a course workbook PDF including exercises to accompany each video lesson and discussion guides for group meetings.

The five capacities addressed by Rediscovering the Heart of Methodism’s certification are:

  1. Cultivating a Scriptural Imagination: How can Scripture expand our capacity to envision God’s purposes in our time, and how can examples from Methodist history help us recognize these new possibilities?
  2. Rediscovering Wesleyan Mission: How did Methodism come to be known as a missionary movement, and how can we embody that sense of mission today?
  3. Emphasizing Christian Formation: How can distinctively Methodist approaches to preaching, prayer, fellowship, and other practices help us nurture both character and gifts?
  4. Nurturing Entrepreneurial Mindsets: What can we learn from Methodism’s entrepreneurial streak, and how can we apply that spirit of innovation to faithfully meet our current moment?
  5. Forming Christ-Shaped Leaders: How can the resources of Methodist history and theology helps us grow into leaders who reflect Christ not only in our churches, but also in our communities?

Lead Instructors

Jung Choi

Dr. Jung Choi serves as associate dean for global and intercultural formation and as consulting faculty and co-director of Asian House of Studies.
Read More Jung Choi

Edgardo Colón-Emeric

The Rev. Dr. Edgardo Colón-Emeric is dean of Duke Divinity School, Irene and William McCutchen Associate Professor of Reconciliation and Theology, and director of the Center for Reconciliation. An ordained elder in the North Carolina Annual Conference, he serves on the United Methodist Committee on Faith and Order and on both national and international Methodist-Catholic dialogues. His work explores the intersection of Methodist and Catholic theologies, and Wesleyan and Latin American experiences.
Read More Edgardo Colón-Emeric

Laceye Warner

Rev. Dr. Laceye Warner serves as the Royce and Jane Reynolds Associate Professor of the Practice of Evangelism and Methodist Studies and associate dean of Wesleyan engagement.
Read More Laceye Warner

What to Expect

Each course is designed to be completed over four weeks. Upon registering for a course, you will receive access to: 

  • Four interactive video lessons from Duke Divinity School faculty and Methodist leaders
  • A course workbook PDF including exercises to accompany each video lesson and discussion guides for group meetings (Please note that you will need to print your own workbook.)

Each week, you should plan to spend 20-30 minutes on your own completing an interactive video lesson. As you watch the video, reflection questions will appear, and you’ll be prompted to write down your thoughts in your workbook. Ideally, you’ll meet with your group for 45-60 minutes each week to compare notes and discuss how you can apply these ideas where you are. Discussion guides for these group conversations are included in your workbook. 

Who is this Certification For?

  • Pastors and lay leaders in churches connected to the Wesleyan tradition
  • Small groups looking to dive deeper into Methodist history and theology
  • Annual Conference leadership teams seeking resources to nurture and support ministerial leaders

Featured Instructors

  • Rev. Dr. Ken Carter, Bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church
  • Rev. Dr. Will Willimon, Bishop and Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry
  • Rev. Dr. Sangwoo Kim, Associate Dean for Vocational Formation and Director, Methodist House of Studies at Duke Divinity School
  • Dr. Kavin Rowe, Vice Dean for Faculty and George Washington Ivey Professor of New Testament
  • Rev. Dr. Greg Jones, Dean Emeritus and President, Belmont University
  • Dr. Daniel Castelo, Associate Dean for Academic Formation and William Kennon Quick Professor of Theology and Methodist Studies
  • Dr. Alma Tinoco Ruiz, Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Evangelism and Director, Hispanic House of Studies at Duke Divinity School
  • Rev. Dr. Warren Smith, Professor of Historical Theology