ICS provides in-person and online courses developed for individuals discerning their call to ministry and those seeking Christian education for personal or group formation.
Participants will develop skills and knowledge necessary to effectively prepare and lead a Bible study. The course will cover essential aspects of Bible study, leadership, including exegesis, lesson planning, group facilitation, and application of biblical principles. Participants will create an engaging and meaningful Bible study that fosters spiritual growth and community within their congregations. Participants will lead a Bible before the beginning of their third year of classes at ICS.
After successfully completing the Thirdmill course on New Testament Foundations, students will participate in a practicum designed to demonstrate their understanding of the New Testament as foundational texts. By the end of this course, participants will not only gain a thorough understanding of the Gospels and Acts but also be inspired to actively participate in the growth and extension of God’s kingdom especially as it relates to ministry.
Clergy and lay leaders of our churches are encouraged to attend this workshop as the Rev. Canon Ellis Brust and the Rev. Cynthia Brust guide participants through the resources of Invite Welcome Connect, sharing practical insights and successful strategies for evangelism, hospitality, and connectedness drawn from their own church experiences.
Those discerning a call to the diaconate in the Diocese of Central Florida receive high-quality biblical and theological training through a combination of in-person classes with faculty from the diocese and online certificate program courses through our Thirdmill partnership. In addition, online Thirdmill courses are available for those seeking general Christian education, licensed lay ministry, and for clergy seeking continuing education.
The Foundations Certificate provides foundational courses in theology, as well as Old and New Testament.
Our Certificate in Biblical Studies covers additional courses in the Old Testament and New Testament.
The Certificate in Theological Studies covers additional courses ranging from systematic theology to Christian ethics.
Deacons serve as a vital bridge between the Church and the world. They are ordained members of the clergy who embody Christ’s servant ministry within and beyond the Church. While priests are charged with shepherding God’s people, deacons are called to be agents of God’s compassion and reconciling grace in the world, while bringing the needs, hopes, and concerns of the world to the Church. Their role is unique, symbolizing Christ’s servanthood in the liturgy, the community, and in their advocacy for a just and caring society.
Learn more at our 2024 Conference on Ministry, Saturday, August 24, 10 a.m. at Church of the Messiah in Winter Garden. Hear presentations from the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb, diocesan staff, priests, deacons, and Commission on Ministry members. Contact Archdeacon Julie Altenbach to learn more.
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