Jerry Sittser, professor of theology at Whitworth University, recently joined the Whitworth Office of Church Engagement (OCE) as part-time senior fellow. In addition to teaching part time, Sittser works with the OCE team to create, sustain, and cultivate a deeper relationship between Whitworth and the larger Christian movement on the West Coast. The OCE provides outreach and learning programs as a way to begin building those relationships in programs such as the Ekklesia Fellows Program, the Gospel Conference, the Whitworth Institute of Ministry, and, most recently, the Academy of Christian Discipleship, according to a press release.
In October, two tracks of the academy were launched: the morning biblical-formation track and the afternoon Christian-leadership track. About 15 churches, with more than 100 participants, are involved in this first round. They work in small groups or with prayer partners, fulfill homework assignments, practice disciplines and complete a final project at the end of each month. The OCE plans to launch more tracks next year, in consultation with cohort leaders and pastors.
“I see the OCE and the academy as re-establishing a stronger relationship between Christian university and church that once flourished in American history,” Sittser said in a press release. “In an increasingly post-Christian culture, a more robust relationship between Christian university and church could contribute to the renewal of both institutions and could help both students and church members to become more faithful followers of Jesus. As the period of easy, nominal Christianity comes to an end, the need for functionally mature Christians is becoming more acute. We hope the OCE and the academy will contribute to that end.”
For information and to sign up for courses, visit the Academy of Christian Discipleship website.
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