Here is a look at a couple of the courses and instructors MI has in October:
Andy Rowell,
TH. D
Andy has taught in ministry leadership at Bethel Seminary since 2013. His doctoral dissertation at Duke Divinity School was on Karl Barth's ecclesiology. He regularly teaches Missional Outreach and Evangelism, and Discipleship in Community at Bethel Seminary. Andy and Amy have three children: Ryan, Jacob, and Alice. They live in Minneapolis where Amy is Pastor of Community Life at City Church. Andy coaches youth soccer, basketball, and baseball. Andy can be found on Twitter at @AndyRowell.
Missio Dei Description:
This course investigates the Missio Dei and its implications for the life of the church. It will focus on how Scripture narrates the Missio Dei and the theological underpinnings of Missio Dei, as well as drawing out the implications of this for the life of the church and for leadership in the church.
Instructor Focus:
A major theme in the Bible is God’s reaching out to people, the Missio Dei. And God also sends his people to reach out to other people. But “missions” have been patronizing and condescending and destructive in the past. So is it better to mind our own business and just be an example? Some Christians think so. But our world is quite troubled. Does the Christian have anything to say? And even if Christians do think the good news of Jesus Christ is good, how do we share that good news? And how can we be doers of good rather than obnoxious meddlers? It is important to consider what the purpose of the church is. And an important part of what a leader does is to help keep the people in the group focused on the purpose of the group. In this course, we will look at God’s nudging of his people to reach out to others, the understandable wariness Christians have about mission and evangelism, why the good news is good news, how people become Christians, and what long-term sustainable mission, witness, evangelism, and service looks like.
Rev. Ryan Braley
Hey everyone! I grew up in Denver, Colorado and met my wife while working with Youth With A Mission, Denver. The two of us traveled to a number of different countries on short-term missions trips and led a variety of different schools. We moved to MN where I went to Bethel Seminary. I joined the staff at Central Lutheran Church in 2006 and worked in various roles including: Student Ministries Director, Director of House Churches and Small Groups, Associate Pastor. In the summer of 2019 I was called to be the new Lead Pastor at Central, and…so far, so good! My wife’s name is Katie. My kids’ names are Logan, Gavin, Addison, and Scarlett. Also, I enjoy odd but healthy foods, talking about Laird Hamilton, coaching my kids' sports teams, and drinking espresso.
Theology and Process of Preaching Description:
A course in the art, theology, and practice of preaching, designed to help students explore the process of creating a sermon from beginning to end. Together we will discuss where sermons come from, how to create a sermon, how to give a sermon (and not be boring), and how to do it in ways that provoke and invite the audience to action. We will search for fresh and new ways to do this in today’s culture and society while honoring those who have gone before us. Whether giving a talk, sermon, message, or teaching, effective communication can inspire, awaken, and guide others to a deeper faith.