Asking Big Questions: Adult Faith Formation
April 23, 2018
All are welcome to join us for this free one-day workshop. … More Asking Big Questions: Adult Faith Formation
Notes from the Field: Atheism for Lent
April 3, 2018
A guest post from the field: Steve Johnson of St. David’s Minnetonka sends this testimonial about Peter Rollins’ series, Atheism for Lent. … More Notes from the Field: Atheism for Lent
This is what (good) evangelism looks like
March 21, 2018
This is evangelism: Speaking clearly about why Jesus is good news, about your experience of faith, and – perhaps most importantly – about how you live because of it. … More This is what (good) evangelism looks like
Bridging the political divide in your faith community
March 19, 2018
Check out this course and see more offerings, available to members of ECMN for free. … More Bridging the political divide in your faith community
Change the conversation
February 28, 2018
We have this strength in our DNA: the willingness to be present in relationships where issues of the deepest import create life-or-death conflict. … More Change the conversation
What we talk about when we talk about guns
February 21, 2018
Four resources here for you as you consider how to speak publicly about gun violence: Wondering how to crack open the gun policy conversation in a polarized environment? Gun Reform: Speaking Truth to Bullshit, Practicing Civility, and Effecting Change by Brené Brown will challenge you to get beyond the all-or-nothing frame that has dominated our national … More What we talk about when we talk about guns
The promise, and peril, of wilderness
February 8, 2018
Delusions of heroism can lead to isolation and spiraling disconnection from God, self, and others. … More The promise, and peril, of wilderness
Lent 2018: Resources for your Practice
February 8, 2018
The call to fasting, prayer, and silence in Lent isn’t a Christian cover on secular anxiety and DIY happiness. It’s about returning to God, who we meet in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, who offers us rest, grace, and belovedness. … More Lent 2018: Resources for your Practice
Sharing the Wisdom of the Crisis Leadership Workshop
January 22, 2018
In mid-January, those in formation for Holy Orders gathered for a weekend of integration and prayerful reflection, supported by clergy from across ECMN. On Saturday afternoon, all participants gathered for an intensive workshop, in which they were asked to imagine themselves serving faith communities in Charlottesville, VA, in advance of the white supremacist rallies that … More Sharing the Wisdom of the Crisis Leadership Workshop
Pre-Lent Clergy Retreat 2018
January 3, 2018
As we prepare for Lent in 2018, the School for Formation is making two of its one-day workshops available to clergy seeking a pre-Lent retreat day. Join us on Saturday, February 3, at the ECMN Retreat Center in Faribault, for a day of prayer and learning. We’re excited to share both of these workshops: passionate, … More Pre-Lent Clergy Retreat 2018
Take your first course free in Spring 2018.
December 7, 2017
As ECMN continues to make the School for Formation a resource that serves all our faith communities, we’re excited to offer this opportunity! If you’ve never taken a course in the School for Formation before, try one of these for free in Spring 2018. Upon completion, receive a voucher to take half off the cost of … More Take your first course free in Spring 2018.
Hope where there is no hope
November 6, 2017
“Christians are not optimists. No. Rather, we choose to see hope where there is no hope.” On a pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine in 2010, I heard these words from a former bishop of the Diocese of Jerusalem, the Rt. Rev. Riah Hanna Abu El-Assal. He had earned the right to speak boldly about ‘where … More Hope where there is no hope
Take the Building Bridges course for free
October 27, 2017
Excited about ECMN’s mission opportunity of Beloved Community this year? Here’s one way you can lean into that effort. We’re making a limited number of free spaces in the Building Bridges Across Culture and Race course available to members of ECMN. This seven-week course gives each participant the chance to work one-on-one with an experienced Intercultural … More Take the Building Bridges course for free
Even now, creativity and freedom
October 27, 2017
We can be hubs for courageous innovation when we trust that God has given us the freedom and the will to do something new. … More Even now, creativity and freedom
Three steps to take advantage of our partnership with ChurchNext
October 2, 2017
“This deepened my body, mind, and spirit regarding racism on personal and theoretical levels.” “I loved how it was broken up into sections and allowed me to return where I left off. The speakers and videos were very engaging.” Friends, we’re excited to tell you that the School for Formation is continuing our partnership with … More Three steps to take advantage of our partnership with ChurchNext
Using online tools to learn to preach
September 26, 2017
Our Homiletics course, offered by Lisa Cressman and Cathie Caimano of Backstory Preaching, consistently gets rave reviews from all kinds of participants who are learning (or re-learning) to preach Good News. A side benefit: You will become much more fluent in some online tech skills! Interested? Take a peek at this welcome video to find … More Using online tools to learn to preach
White Supremacy and Your Faith Community: Three Questions to Consider
August 15, 2017
Friends, here are three key questions for your faith community to wrestle with in the wake of the recent events in Virginia. We’ve offered some resources that we hope will support you as you pray through these issues together. 1) What’s the long work your faith community is doing to build beloved community in your … More White Supremacy and Your Faith Community: Three Questions to Consider
Preaching after Charlottesville
August 14, 2017
Guest blogger: The Rev. Marcus Halley, Rector at St. Paul’s, Lake of the Isles In the wake of the horrific attacks by White Supremacists that have devastated the local community in Charlottesville, Virginia, cost the lives of the 3 Americans (1 counter-protestor and 2 law enforcement officers), and stunned the nation, many have issued clarion … More Preaching after Charlottesville
Ground yourself in Scripture
August 8, 2017
by guest blogger and SFF summer intern Christy Stang Deepening Roots: Becoming Grounded in Scripture Any type of spiritual programming will inevitably teach you something. Not every program, however, gives you the experience you need to put down roots in your theological heritage and to find your place within the church’s story. Deepening Roots provides … More Ground yourself in Scripture
Practicing love over fear
August 2, 2017
Last week, at the Rethinking Church conference at Luther Seminary, we heard a speaker offer this nugget of wisdom attributed to a fighter pilot: “In the moment of crisis, we don’t rise to the occasion. We revert to our training. That’s why we train so much.” In the midst of rapid-fire news, the constant barrage … More Practicing love over fear