“Creating Common Good 4: A Christian Response with Archbishop Justin Welby” launches today

In this, the fourth ChurchNext course previewing Trinity Institute’s Creating Common Good conference, Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Rev. Justin Welby offers a Christian Response to the often overwhelming and disheartening problems of poverty and economic injustice. Rather than focusing on what we can’t do, the Archbishop urges us to focus on what we as a Church can offer: on-the-ground help, a message of hope, a challenge to cynicism, an understanding of human nature, and a commitment to outward, other-oriented service. welby

In this course, we consider ways that radical, systemic change has been accomplished with the support of churches; we reflect on the theology of “common good” and economic equality; and we explore concrete ways the Church can help right now. Creating Common Good 4: A Christian Response is a thought-provoking, inspiring, and hopeful look at how we as Christians can, when we follow God’s call, accomplish amazing things with the abundant gifts we’ve been given. Click here to register or for more information.

 The Most Rev. Justin Welby is the 105th and current Archbishop of Canterbury. Learn more about his mission and ministry here.

Remember the Poor at Advent: Resources from ChurchNext

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Welcome to this season of preparation that points us past the halls of power and affluence and into a stable where a lowly manger harbors the hope of the world.

Our Savior was born into an incredibly unjust society. He dedicated his life to changing that. And calls us to do the same.

ChurchNext and Trinity Institute have teamed up to offer an Advent resource that can help our congregations learn more about economic injustice in our world and, perhaps more importantly, do something about it.

Four online classes are suitable for the four weeks of Advent, here are the titles and instructors:

Economic Inequality with Julio Murray, Anglican bishop of the Diocese of Panama
Christian Responsibility with Rachel Held Evans, Evangelical blogger
Educational Inequality with Nicole Baker Fulgham, Education advocate
– A Christian Response with Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury (Releases 11/23)

Each course takes an average student 45 minutes to work through and includes video lectures, quizzes, discussion questions, and downloads. They are suitable for personal and group use. Individual courses are $10 and unlimited monthly subscriptions are $15. ChurchNext congregational subscribers have these courses available to their communities on their release dates.

 
Tim SchenckIntroducing Advent with Tim Schenck

We are also greatly joyed to bring you a wonderful, and wonderfully entertaining, introduction to this holy season in the words and wit of the ineffable Tim Schenck (who actually paid us to preface his name that way).

As we know, Advent is a season of great anticipation both inside and outside of the Church. While the world around us shops, cooks, and prepares for December 25, Christians have their own way of anticipating the birth of Jesus.

In this class, Episcopal priest and author Tim Schenck will open up our imaginations to the magic of this holy time of year. In this class, we will learn:

  • What is Advent?
  • What are the themes of Advent?
  • Main characters of Advent
  • How should we observe Advent in Church and at Home

Tim Schenck is the author of a newish book with our partners Forward Movement, called A Dog in the Manger. This course is appropriate for those who are new to the church year, as well as those who are familiar, but are looking for a refresher.

Creating Common Good 3: Educational Inequality with Nicole Baker Fulgham

Today we launch the third Creating Common Good course in partnership with Trinity Institute. In Creating Common Good 3: Educational Inequality, Nicole Baker Fulgham provides a truly engaging, challenging, and inspiring analysis of our education system, both how it’s failing and how we as Christians are called to help.

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Using her years of experience in education and in educational reform, along with her inspiring passion for helping young people, Nicole explores the “two system” paradigm of American education, how expectations and resources are unequally allocated along economic and social divides, and how change can occur. Education is the pathway out of poverty; it also helps each child discover his or her God-given purpose.

This course has much to offer all of us who call ourselves Christian and thus bear a responsibility to those in need, but especially those involved in bringing up and educating youth, those interested in economic reform, and in social justice. Click here to register or for more information.

Nicole Baker Fulgham is the founder and president of The Expectations Project, a non-profit organization that develops & mobilizes faith-motivated advocates who help close the academic achievement gap in public schools. She is the author of Educating All God’s Children: What Christians Can – and Should – Do to Improve Public Education for Low-Income Kids (Brazos Press, April 2013).

Creating Common Good Part 2 is now open!

We’re thrilled to launch the second Creating Common Good course in partnership with Trinity Institute. In Creating Common Good 2: Christian Responsibility, Rachel Held Evans helps us rethink how we as Christians understand economic and social responsibility.

At the present time, your abundance will meet their need, so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality, as it is written:The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.” 2 Corinthians 8:14-15

evansRachel invites us to reconsider what we mean by “neighbor” and how we might take Eucharist out into our communities. Sharing her own experiences as an evangelical, she reclaims the term “evangelical” as one that indicates a commitment to justice, equality, and generosity through attention to Biblical teaching. This course will challenge, inform, and inspire all Christians who seek to address the overwhelming problem of economic injustice in our world. Click here for more information or to register.

Rachel Held Evans is a popular evangelical author and speaker. She blogs at rachelheldevans.com.

Creating Common Good 1 with Bishop Julio Murray now available

We’re pleased to launch the first Creating Common Good course in partnership with Trinity Institute. In Creating Common Good 1: Economic Inequality and Injustice, Bishop Julio Murray addresses the inequalities present in economic systems and how these are signs not only of distorted relationships between human beings, but also between God and God’s creation.

jmurrayWhat is the Church’s role in righting this relationship? How can the Church give voice to those who have found creativity in scarcity? How might the Church model a new way of living — living in contentment with enough?  This course challenges, informs, and inspires us as we seek to address the overwhelming problem of economic injustice in our world.  Click here to register or for more information.

The Rt. Rev. Julio Murray is a popular speaker and preacher. He serves as the Anglican bishop of Panama. He is a featured speaker at Trinity Institute 2015; click here to learn more.