Dimensions and Dynamics of Church Reform
This 6 week mini-course will provide participants an overview of the main themes and considerations involved in church reform today. It will include treatment of the historical, biblical/scriptural, theological/ethical, ecclesial, and spiritual/pastoral dimensions of church justice. In addition to theoretical constructs, the course will involve practical community organizing theory, resources, and tools. The course will convene each week on Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30pm central for a live, online hour and a half session using webinar technology. Weekly facilitators will spend time giving an overview of that week’s topic, facilitate discussion, and review resources available to participants.
Click here to download the course syllabus
$49.99 course fee
Week 1 - February 9, 2016 | Welcome & overview, Reform Throughout the Ages | Aaron Bianco, STD
Week 2 - February 16 | Jesus the Reformer | Emily Dykman, DMin
Week 3 - February 23 | To Reform or Not to Reform: Ethics & Theology | MT Davila, PhD
Week 4 - March 1 | BREAK
Week 5 - March 8 | Called to be Church: Called to Reform | Robert Ludwig, PhD
Week 6 - March 15 | Spirituality of Reform | Kimberly Lymore, DMin
Week 7 - March 22, 2016 | Organizing for Justice, Wrap-up | Melissa Browning, PhD
Aaron Blanco STD studied in Rome, earning a Doctorate of Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) with an emphasis in Early Church Mothers and Fathers at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas (the Angelicum). Aaron routinely leads study trips to Rome and is fluent in Italian. He is currently Call To Action’s Program Associate where he works with the 20/30 young adult community, national chapters, and the Church Worker justice program
Emily Dykman, DMin completed a B.M. in Piano Performance from Viterbo University, a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from St. Mary’s University, and completed a doctor of ministry degree in congregational mission and leadership from Luther Seminary in May 2014. Her thesis focused on an influence of scripture in assisting the laity in their recognition of vocation and participation in God’s mission. In particular, she studied the influence of an action research intervention using dwelling in the word in shifting the parish council’s ability to work collaboratively with the parish priest rather than relying upon the priest for sole directives. She teaches courses in liturgy and worship, ritual, sacraments, scripture, and servant leadership.
MT Dávila, PhD is associate professor of Christian ethics at Andover Newton Theological School. Her current focus is on the intersection of Christian discipleship and activism, specifically as it relates to the practice of the option for the poor in the United States. She has written on immigration and race, the ethics of the use of force, the use of the social sciences in ethical reflection, and ethics in the public square. She lives in Malden, MA, with her husband and 4 children, where they attend St. Joseph's Parish.
Robert Ludwig, PhD is an experienced educator and scholar. He earned his MA and PhD in theology from The Aquinas Institute of Theology (now at St. Louis University), and studied political theology in Germany at Tubingen. His dissertation on theology and politics in America focused on Jesuit peace activist Daniel Berrigan and the Catholic Peace Movement during the Vietnam War. His award-winning book, Reconstructing Catholicism for a New Generation (Crossroad, 1995) includes a penetrating exploration of the challenges facing humanity due to environmental degradation and the insights of Thomas Berry and Teilhard de Chardin for reconstructing Christian spirituality for a sustainable future. At Holy Names University, Dr. Ludwig oversees the revision of the programs in Culture and Spirituality and the development of adult learning modalities to make the program more accessible to adult learners
Kimberly Lymore, DMin is the Associate Minister at the Faith Community of St. Sabina in Chicago, IL, which is known for its dynamic worship and social activism, under the leadership of Rev. Michael L. Pfleger. Kimberly has facilitated many workshops, classes and retreats in her 15-year ministerial career including classes on Social Justice at Xavier University, in New Orleans, LA. Most recently she became an adjunct instructor teaching Social Justice at Calumet College of St. Joseph, in Whiting, IN. In 2003, Kimberly received her Master in Divinity with a concentration in Word and Worship from Catholic Theological Union. In May of 2009 she received her Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Union. Kimberly also has an article in the publication, Emerging from the Vineyard: Essays by Lay Ecclesial Ministers.
Melissa Browning, PhD received her Ph.D. in Christian Ethics from Loyola University Chicago (2011). She also holds an M.Div. in Global Missions from George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University (2002) and a B.A. in Religious Studies from Gardner-Webb University (1999). Dr. Browning's primary research focuses on community-based moral reasoning. Her first book looked at the intersection of public theology and public health through research with women living with HIV and AIDS in Mwanza, Tanzania. Dr. Browning is an ordained Baptist minister with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and has experience working with faith-based non-profits, particularly in international development, community development, and community organizing.
