Seminary offers new lay studies by Melissa Lauber
UMConnection Staff More than 1.5 million people have used the Disciple Bible Study series to deepen their discipleship journey in Jesus Christ. The popular study, begun almost two decades ago, uses small group settings as it teaches deeper understandings of Scripture. For many people, though, the Disciple series isn't enough. Enter the Wesley Ministry Network, an adult Christian education resource designed to take laity one more step. With the network, the church has found 'the perfect follow-up to Disciple study,' said Bishop Richard B. Wilke, creator of the Disciple series. Those at Wesley Seminary in Washington, D.C., who are developing this resource for adult Christian education, agree, although they do marvel that no one has created such a resource before.  Imagine combining the scholarship of some of the church's best theologians, the opportunities for learning that arise in Sunday school classes and other small groups, and books on topics proven to inspire and provoke, said the Rev. Craig Hill.
It's a powerful combination that makes perfect sense, said Hill, who sees the
network as a tool 'to address the spiritual hunger of the laity.' Wesley Ministry Network courses are designed to provide a 'substantive theological education within the framework of the traditional Sunday School or Bible study group.' For a fee, churches enroll in the network's courses. This spring, three courses will center on books written by Wesley faculty. The first course is based on Hill's 'In God's Time,' a second revolves around Denise Dombkowski Hopkins' 'Journey Through the Psalms,' and the third is on 'Women Speak of God,' by Amy Oden.  When they enroll, churches receive weekly video (or DVD) lessons, a teacher's gbwc_superusere with detailed lesson plans, participants' workbooks, a weekly course e-mail from the author and a course Web site featuring on-line discussion and other resources.
Care was taken not to 'dumb down' the materials for the laity. 'We are bringing the best in mainstream Christian theological education to local churches,' Hill said. 'Disciple raised the standard of adult education in our churches,' he continued. 'But after people have completed Christianity 101, where do they go from there? There is not very much in place now.' Increasing the quality of adult education is vital to Hill and the other authors.  'The Methodist Church is a centrist one,' he said. It doesn't exist at one extreme end or the other. 'Theologically, that balance is good. But it does not provide pre-packaged answers. We require people to think, discern and make complicated judgments about faith.'
By its character, the church requires its members to be educated in their faith. 'Too often we have failed to equip them to do that,' said Hill. 'We are now taking people seriously as adult learners.' Providing this network, which began this fall, is a continuation of Wesley Theological Seminary's efforts to 'be a church-centered seminary,' by taking the 'best teachers in theological education and making them available to churches.' Today, more than 70 churches have paid the $125 to participate in the courses, or a little more if certain books are included. The average group is made up of 15 members, making it already one of the largest lay education programs available in the United States. Hill anticipates that this is just the beginning. Each semester, additional books, on a vast array of subjects will be added, he said. 'There is an inexhaustible hunger in churches for this kind of thing,' Hill said. 'I don't know where our limits are, but we'll handle whatever comes.' Churches wishing to learn more about the Wesley Ministry Network can find additional information at www.wesleyministrynetwork.com, or by calling (202) 885-8607. | 
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