Bethany Seminary to offer offsite classes in Spring semester.

Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., will offer four offsite classes during the 2007-08 Spring semester, focusing on Brethren heritage, Brethren polity, conflict resolution, and biblical studies.A class titled "Brethren Beliefs and Practices" will be offered at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College on Feb. 29-March 1, March 14-15, April 4-5, and April 18-19. Wally Landes, senior pastor at Palmyra (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, will be the instructor. The course examines major beliefs and doctrinal interpretations along with practices that shape the Church of the Brethren, including discussions about the present life and faith of the church.

"Brethren Polity and Practice" will be offered at Bridgewater (Va.) Church of the Brethren on Feb. 1-2, Feb. 15-16, Feb. 29-March 1, and March 28-29. Earle Fike, an author and retired pastor and former teacher at Bethany Seminary, and Fred Swartz, retired pastor and current Church of the Brethren Annual Conference secretary, will be the instructors. The course will focus on Church of the Brethren policy and governance, and how it is lived out at the denominational, district, and local levels.Celia Cook Huffman, professor of Conflict Resolution at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., will teach the course "Conflict Resolution." The course includes classes at Juniata College and additional course work online. Class dates are Jan. 18-19, Feb. 1-2, and Feb. 15-16. The course provides an introduction to the study of conflict and its resolution, exploring basic theoretical concepts of the field, and learning and practicing skills for analyzing and resolving conflicts.Bob Neff, president emeritus at Juniata College and a former general secretary of the Church of the Brethren General Board, is the instructor for "The Prophets: Jeremiah" at Elizabethtown College on May 2-3, May 23-24, June 6-7, and June 20-21. The course examines Jeremiah’s prophetic call, the role of lament in the life of faith, the nature of patriotism in the context of war, the definitions of enemy and hope in a time of terror, and devotion to God in adversity.Tuition is $975 for each course, plus applicable fees. Those interested in enrolling in the courses for graduate credit who are not currently Bethany students must complete the application process no later than four weeks prior to the start of the class. Applications can be completed online at www.bethanyseminary.edu/admissions/apply. For more information contact the Admissions Department at 800-287-8822 ext. 1832 or enroll@bethanyseminary.edu. A limited number of places may be available for those who wish to take a course for personal enrichment or non-credit continuing education, for a cost of $275 per course. Reservations are made through the office of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership. Contact academy@bethanyseminary.edu or 800-287-8822 ext. 1824.

--Marcia Shetler is director of Public Relations for Bethany Theological Seminary.

Source: 11/21/2007 Newsline