Resources for Clergy, Religious, & Lay People

Are you looking for new tools to be successful? Are you interested in enhancing or acquiring additional skills through the expansion of your knowledge? Continuing education is an important answer to meeting the complex demands facing the Episcopal Church in the twenty-first century.

Continuing education is not limited to a classroom. You can easily access a wide variety of educational opportunities through your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Designed for use by both clergy and laity, this website will offer resources to promote spiritual growth, engage your mind and hone your skills.

By creating links to a wide variety of resources in a single place, this website provides a convenient way to access books, videos, blogs, power point presentations, seminars, and other educational tools. Your suggestions are always welcome. If you have recently read a book or attended a class that you found valuable, let us know about it by sending the information to info@episcopalcolorado.org.

Lifelong Learning for Episcopal Lay Ministry 
Study Bibliography for those interested in Licensed Lay Ministry
Diaconal Self Study Resources

Excellence in Leadership

“It’s not easy to be the church these days”. This is a common sentiment in mainline Christian denominations. We know there is a need for hope and grace and the power of the gospel, but the ways of communicating that and the ways of being church in the world are shifting beneath our feet. How much more has this become true in the 2 years as we have attempted to negotiate the added challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic?
In response to this truth and the desire to raise up courageous, resilient, and faithful leaders, the Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA has created a leadership initiative called Excellence in Leadership. It is an 18-month investment, with classes meeting 1-2 times per month, which will provide tools and resources to last a lifetime.
This initiative is grounded in authentically claiming our identities as individuals and as church. By engaging deeply in the studies of adaptive leadership, vulnerability, emotional intelligence, family systems, Theory U, and spiritual practices, we will be stepping forward to meet the future boldly. The Rocky Mountain Synod is inviting participants from all regions and walks of life – lay or rostered, young or old, Lutheran or Episcopalian or Methodist. That includes you!

Religious Communities

Brotherhood of St. Andrew
The Brotherhood of St. Andrew is an international lay Christian religious organization with historical roots in The Episcopal Church. The Brotherhood follows disciplines of prayer, study, and service. Learn more at brothersandrew.net. There are 3 chapters in Colorado:

Worthwhile Books

Reading is a critical way to continue to expand your mind and spirit. The Commission on Ministry commends the following books, all of which are widely available:

Falling Upward by Richard Rohr

People of the Way by Dwight Zscheile

Christianity After Religion by Diana Butler Bass

In addition, the Study Bibliography for those interested in Licensed Lay Ministry provides good suggestions in a range of topics and subject areas, from Christian history, to worship, to theology and preaching.

Online Learning Links

ChurchNext – Learn from expert teachers in Scripture, liturgy, and important Christian topics. Students can interact in a safe, online environment that’s convenient, engaging, and affordable.

Spirituality and Practice – A multi-faith website on ways to practice spirituality in everyday life, this site provides e-courses, video links and book reviews.

Other Resources from The Office of the Bishop and The Episcopal Church in Colorado

Stewardship
The Colorado Episcopal Foundation offers annual workshops, as well as other resources to congregations and individuals interested in deepening stewardship in their communities.

Leadership
The Office of Congregational Development offers many resources to church leaders, including presentations, workshops and other materials.

Spiritual Direction
Spiritual Direction Colorado  is an interfaith network that promotes spiritual direction, supports practicing spiritual directors and encourages greater awareness of spirituality and spiritual companioning throughout Colorado. It sponsors continuing education events open to all throughout the year.

Education for Ministry
Education for Ministry  courses allow lay leaders to experience deeper faith through Bible study and discussions of the relationship of faith and life experience. EfM may be experienced through face-to-face small groups or online. If your church is interested in starting an EfM group, or if you would like to become an EfM mentor, contact Don Norris at  efmincolorado@gmail.com or 720-468-2779.