Distance Learning Online at EMS

Eastern Mennonite Seminary has offered online courses for over a decade in the areas of Anabaptist theology, church history, and the practice of ministry (pastoral care, missional church, and leadership). More than a dozen online courses are offered on a two-year cycle, with several course offerings each semester as well as during the summer.

Summer 2012

Money, Ministry and Me

This course involves an exploration of stewardship education resources alongside the explanation of financial tools and services needed in today’s world. It is designed to serve the needs of pastors and other church leaders in the congregation. Initial attention will focus on the personal stewardship practice of class participants. An exploration of biblical and spiritual perspectives will prepare the way for each participant to develop a five year stewardship education plan for themselves as leaders as well as their respective congregations.

• Instructor: Beryl Jantzi
• Credit Hours: 2
• Dates: May 7-June 30

Fall 2012

Anabaptism Today

Why is there more interest in Anabaptism today than ever before in history? Is it perhaps because many are tired of church as usual? Or, because many realize that in our global community we must learn to live together without violence? Have others been drawn to the embodied discipleship, to the bold witness of the thousands of sixteenth-century Anabaptists who were willing to suffer for their faith? No doubt there are multiple reasons why Christians from various traditions are drawn to Anabaptism. Two theologians are largely responsible for putting Anabaptism on the 21 st Century theological map—John Howard Yoder and Stanley Hauerwas. This course will explore contemporary “Anabaptism” through the writings of these two influential theologians and through those who have been influenced by or are in dialogue with them on various issues.

• Instructor: Dr. Mark Thiessen Nation
• Credit Hours: 3
• Dates: Aug 28-Dec 14

Leadership and Administration

This course engages leadership and administration in both traditional and emerging congregations as well as missional involvement in the broader community. Initial attention will focus on the leadership formation of the student from a wholistic Anabaptist perspective. An exploration of biblical and spiritual perspectives will prepare the way for an examination of transformational leadership through both a contextual and cultural lens. Finally, students will have the opportunity to practice and reflect on leadership and administration via the exploration of a variety of specific topics including planning, budgeting, communication, team building, and conflict transformation.

• Instructor: Dr. Lonnie Yoder
• Credit Hours: 3
• Dates: Aug 28-Dec 14

Mennonite Faith and Polity

This course examines two aspects of Mennonite reality. First, what has it said and what is it saying about what it believes concerning the Christian faith; and second, how it structures itself in the light of those beliefs to carry out its ministry in the world.

• Instructor: Dr. David Boshart
• Credit Hours: 2
• Dates: Aug 28-Dec 14

Spring 2013

Old Testament: Text in Context

This is an introduction to the Old Testament literature. The approach gives major consideration to the ancient Near Eastern context: history, culture and religion. Other considerations include reading the Old Testament as literature and as the authoritative Word of God. Lectures, readings, inductive study questions and class discussion are used.

• Instructor: Dr. Laura Brenneman
• Credit Hours: 3
• Dates: Jan 7-Apr 26

Prayer in the Christian Tradition

Prayer in the Christian Tradition takes us on a pilgrimage across time and place, and invites our careful attention as we listen in to persons praying within the believing community from Old Testament times to the present. Experience of prayer, class discussion, readings, and course assignments will assist us in our discovery of the formative and transformative nature of the relational dialogue God enters into with us, and we with God.

• Instructor: Dr. Nate Yoder
• Credit Hours: 3
• Dates: Jan 7-Apr 26

Christ in Communication Culture: Communicating in Today’s Global, Digital, Relational World

This course provides a foundation for communicating in today’s real-world settings. Students gain a working knowledge of skills, strategies and goals to facilitate effective communication in such diverse contexts as interpersonal relationships, organizations, and social media.

• Instructor: Julie Gochenour
• Credit Hours: 3
• Dates: Jan 7- Apr 26

Summer 2013

Ethics and Nonviolence: Sermon on the Mount

Course description coming soon.

• Instructor: Dr. Laura Brenneman
• Credit Hours: 3
• Dates: TBA