Many laypersons are seeking additional learnings in biblical studies and church leadership
These are the observations of Alternative Ministerial Education (formerly, Regional Ordination Program) Dean Carl Cottingham. The courses offered throughout the year are for you - both laypersons and clergy - who have heard God's word to leaders "study to show thyself approved..." and want to become more informed and aware of how God can use you to more effective service in the lcoal church.
The web sites of the Great Rivers Region offer these and many more opportunities for the following types of learnings:
Formal - Opportunities for physical (vs. online) classroom with lecturer and fellow learners (e.g. Courses listed each semester that are taught in a higher educational institution (i.e. college) or at a site sponsored by the Great Rivers Region (e.g. American Baptist History and Polity and Boundaries courses).
Informal - Learnings gathered from communications, articles (e.g. Dwight Stinnett's Current Thoughts), blogs, and online courses. Look now at the vertical menu on the left side of this page under the headings "GRR Sites" and "Learning Resources" for paths toward these opportunities. Whatever level of learning and/or training you want is available for your pursuit.
Just-in-time - Learning that comes from accessing information on the GRR sites when you are in need of it (e.g. steps for preparing for a work mission trip or requirements for ordinaiton)
How to's - Instructions as to how to do technical jobs such as preparing photos for the web, publishing a web site, etc.)
There is a circle of growing effectiveness and faithfulness that has two components: Growing Churches and Growing Leaders.
If you have started - or are continuing on - this path of lifelong learning, keep it up! If you are considering starting on this path, go for it!
Please send links to resources you have found helpful to Richard Ricks: revrick4@comcast.net so that they might be included on this site to help others as they have helped you on this path.