The work of understanding and analyzing cultures requires much research, study, and conversation. To sum up, to understand cultures requires time. The time required to study and analyze the cultures around us and read widely to make sense of it all, is often more than the typical pastor has to give. That’s not a critique, just a reality. While an academic theologian might invest time in reading poststructural philosophy and queer theory in order to understand what is being said when someone refers to their gender identity and sexuality, the average pastor is spending that time meeting with parents whose child is trying to work out their gender identity and attractions. Where do you find the time and space to think deeply about both the gospel and cultures?
While this brief cohort won’t provide all the answers for you, it will provide the space for conversations with pastor-theologians who can help you discern how to have generative conversations around some of the most important issues within the church today.
Over five 2.5 hour meetings, David Fitch & Gino Curcuruto, will lead you through issues of ecclesiology, power and the abuse of it, ideology (specifically, racism), the gospel in the pluralistic world, and human sexuality. They will help to clarify the issue we are facing and provide concepts on how to navigate the issue, while remaining deeply rooted in the Scriptures.
These five weeks may not solve all the issues you face in leading in your church context, it will provide you with clarity amidst so much confusion. A clarity that will help you make space for the work of the Holy Spirit to lead you and your church into a faithful presence with God and each other.
Session dates:
Runs from October 21, 2024 – early December 2024
Week 1: The Church in the Culture: The Three Circles | October 24, 7:30-10PM ET
Week 2: Power – Navigating Power as Christians and Church Leaders | November 7, 7:30-10PM ET
Week 3: Ideology and Racism | November 14, 7:30-10PM ET
Week 4: The Gospel – Mission in the World | November 21, 7:30-10PM ET
Week 5: Sexuality | First week of December, in-person in NYC, 10-3PM ET (date to be decided by cohort)
Cost:
$150. All reading materials and syllabi will be provided digitally and are included in the registration fee.
Cohort limit:
20 people
Culture, Gospel, & the Church Cohort