Course content

    1. Introducing Baptist History, Identity & Polity

      FREE PREVIEW

    1. First steps now that you're enrolled

    2. Course Syllabus

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. How to use this course - Basic navigation

    4. Course Overview

    5. Before we get started...

    1. Weekly Zoom information

    2. Join us LIVE on Zoom on Tues, 4:30 pm ET | 1:30 pm PT

    1. Historic Roots & Ruptures

    2. Guest Lecture with George Hancock-Stefan

    3. Zoom recording - for week 1

    4. Christian Family Tree

    5. Additional Baptist History Resources

    6. To Think That It Happened on Mulberry Street

    7. Deliver Us from Evil: Baptists, Slavery & Freedom

    1. Soul Freedom & Bible Freedom

    2. Zoom recording - for week 2

    3. 10 Facts about American Baptists

    1. Church Freedom & Religious Freedom

    2. Church Freedom - Instructor lecture

    3. Guest Lecture with Wayne Croft Sr.

    4. Zoom recording - for week 3

    5. Analytical Essay #1

    6. Midpoint Survey

About this course

  • $225.00
  • Cohort course
  • Sept 9 - Oct 14
  • Tues, 4:30-6:30 pm ET | 1:30-3:30 pm PT

Balancing autonomy and association in Baptist life

Enroll today

Testimony from past cohorts

“I appreciated the opportunity to explore Baptist traditions and polity. It helps me serve this Baptist church with more confidence and insight. It was a joy to meet together each week. ”

Linda H

“Thank you for a wonderful course! I learned a great deal!”

Wesley C.

“This was a really wonderful place to expand my understanding and experience of Baptist life beyond that of my local church. And what a great cohort. So special to learn alongside this group.”

Cate N.

“The online course has helped me grasp the principles of Baptist beliefs and practice, and equipped me to have constructive dialog as [my church] is facing a crucial transition of leadership.”

Jeannie G.

“This course helped me to know as a Baptist, I am not alone. We have great men and women who have been in vanguard long before us and are cheering us on in today's challenges. This course has encouraged me to keep on fighting for the marginalized, voiceless, poor and the needy. ”

Sando M.

“I really appreciated and learned much from this course.... It was also quite helpful to be in such a diverse cohort and allowed me to experience the range of viewpoints and understandings (an exercise of the freedoms we explored!) in the American Baptist church. ”

Sara S.

“Engaging in this study of Baptist Identity and Polity has provided me with a first-time momentum to cultivate a Baptist Identity in congregational context.”

DeAndra R.

“This is the best online class. It does a great job of lining up the tenets of our Baptist beliefs with what is happening in today's world.”

Diane B

Instructor

Rebecca Irwin-Diehl

Director, ABHMS Center for Continuous Learning

Rev. Rebecca Irwin-Diehl, PhD, is founding director of the ABHMS Center for Continuous Learning. Dr. Irwin-Diehl holds a Master of Theological Studies from Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University, as well as a Master of Arts in Theology and the PhD in Theology from Villanova University. Her research has focused on lived spirituality, especially among those who are religiously disaffiliated or who consider themselves "spiritual but not religious." Rev. Rebecca is passionately committed, both personally and vocationally, to lifelong learning, especially when it comes to equipping leaders and other disciples with the tools they need to pursue ongoing faith formation and spiritual growth, individually and in community. In addition to her work with ABHMS, Rev. Rebecca serves as associate minister at the Second Baptist Church of Germantown, in Philadelphia, PA, where Rev. Dr. Crystal Jennings is pastor.

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