Friday Morning Courses

The annual Perkins Summit for Faith and Learning offers a wide range of theological mini-courses for laypersons, community leaders and clergy. Somewhere between seminary and Sunday School, Summit leverages the rich learning community of Perkins School of Theology to provide a unique, self-paced experience in theological education—for the church and world. Come for a half-day or spend the whole two days with us. Participants are free to design a customized Summit plan!

Houston Summit August 23-24, 2024

Registration Opens May 31!

 

Discernment in an Age of Noise

Dr. Frederick Aquino, Professor of Systematic Theology

We live in a world with unprecedented (and quicker) access to vast quantities of information. In one sense, we feel more connected through social media and various technological advances. At the tap of a finger, the requested pieces of information are readily available. In another sense,we feel overwhelmed by the noiseof social media, news outlets, and the relentless stream of facts and opinions. An important challenge involves learning how to cut through such noise and differentiate between peripheral and salient pieces of information.This course will explore how the Christian virtue of discernment helps us think about and respond to such a challenge.

Registration Opens May 31

The Christian Church: Thermometer or Thermostat?

Rev. Mark C. Grafenreed, Ph.D. Candidate in Religion and Culture, Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU

Thermometers and thermostats are invaluable instruments, especially during toasty, Texas summers! However, thermometers, which record temperatures, and thermostats, which regulate them, can be problematic when they are inoperable or ineffective. The same is true concerning the Christian Church! This workshop examines the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1963 “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and explores whether today’s Christian Church is a thermometer that is an “archdefender of the status quo” or a thermostat that “transforms the mores of society.”

Registration Opens May 31

Social Holiness: Exploring our Wesleyan Roots

Rev. Dr. Hugo Magallanes, Dean ad interim

The short course will offer a brief examination of Wesley’s theology and ministry in response to the needs of the poor in church and society; and it will provide helpful tools to develop a Wesleyan identity of solidarity with the poor as well as tentative responses to poverty related issues from a Wesleyan perspective.

  1. Students will be able to identify the importance and connections between personal and social holiness 
  2. Students will be able to provide examples, based on Wesley’s life and ministry, social holiness.
  3. Students will be able to articulate social holiness as solidarity with the poor.

Registration Opens May 31

Please note that online registration will close August 9, 2024. Refunds (less $25 fee) will be available up to 7 days prior to the event.