ABCNYS LAY STUDY PROGRAM
The purpose of the Lay Study Program of American Baptist Churches of New York State is two-fold. It offers 14 online courses giving an opportunity for:
The purpose of the Lay Study Program of American Baptist Churches of New York State is two-fold. It offers 14 online courses giving an opportunity for:
- Personal Growth and Enrichment -- Anyone is welcome to take one, a few, or all courses offered.
- Leadership Development – Courses help people to prepare for leadership in the local church, including as a Certified Lay Pastor.
For an overview of the 14 Lay Study Program courses, please click on Courses Offered
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For an overview of the Church Leadership Certificate Program, please click on Church Leadership:
For an overview of the Certified Lay Pastor Program, please click on Lay Pastor:
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ABCNYS LAY STUDY PROGRAM COURSES SPRING:
Ministry to Individuals
Start Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
When: Wednesday evenings, 7-9 PM
Where: Online only
Instructor: Rev. Dennis Christiansen, [email protected]
The Course: The course will provide a Biblical basis for ministering to individuals. There will be particular emphasis on using one’s pastoral presence as a channel through which the love and power of God can flow, the impact healthy Christian relationships can have on changing an individual’s relationship to God, family, and neighbors, and ministering in a variety of crisis situations.
The Textbooks:
Primary Texts
*Coming Alongside, Basic Pastoral Care at the Bedside, by Jeffrey R Funk, 2016, Xulon Press ($11.97, Amazon.com).
*Care and Visitation Ministry, Volunteer Handbook: Equipping You to Serve, by Mikal Keefer, 2020, Churchleaders Press ($9.49, Amazon.com).
* Don’t Sing Songs to a Heavy Heart: How to Relate to Those Who Are Suffering, by Kenneth C. Haugk, Stephen Ministries, 2004. ($14.95, stephenministries.org).
*More Than a Parting Prayer: Lessons in Care Giving for the Dying by William H. Griffith, 2005, ($14.99, Amazon.com).
*You Are One of Us: Successful Clergy/Church Connections to Alzheimer's Families. (Order this book from Natalie Leary of The Duke Dementia Family Support Program. Email: [email protected]. Telephone: 919-660-7542. Cost of the book is $12.00, credit card or check. Once payment has been received, the book will be shipped via USPS.)
Other Texts (not required but are resources to supplement your ministry and may be referred to during the course)
*The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society, by Henri J. M. Nouwen (Doubleday Religion, 1979)
*Good Grief: A Constructive Approach to the Problem of Loss, (Deals with loss in general)
*A Widow’s Journey: Reflections on Walking Alone by Gayle Roper (Harvest House Publishers, 2015) https://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/books/grid-view/category/comfort-grief.
*Redeeming Dementia: Spirituality, Theology, and Science, by Dorothy Linthicum and Janice Hicks (Church Publishing Inc., 2018)
Bio: Rev. Dennis Christiansen recently retired as the pastor of First Baptist, Trumansburg.
Old Testament
Start Date: Thursday evenings, starting April 24th
When: Thursday evenings, (7-9 PM)
Where: Online only
Instructor: Rev. David Waldo, [email protected]
The course: This course is designed to introduce the student to:
* the historical and cultural context of the Old Testament
* the concepts of scriptural inspiration and canon
* the types and characteristics of the literary genre and corresponding methods of interpretation of the books of the Old Testament
* the purposes for writing the various books of the Old Testament
* the theories of authorship of the books of the Old Testament
* the major themes of the books of the Old Testament and their role in developing covenants between God and the Hebrew people.
The Text: DeRouchie, Jason. What the Old Testament Authors Really Cared About A Survey of Jesus’ Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic; Illustrated Ed. 2013.
ISBN #: 9780825425912
The Bio: Rev. David Waldo has a BA in Sociology from Calvin College (now Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI) and an MDiv from Eastern Baptist Seminary (now Palmer School of Theology, Eastern University, in St. Davids, PA). He has been privileged to teach Introduction to the Old Testament for the Academy of Christian Training, a Lay Studies program through ABCOPAD for over twenty years. This will be the third time he has shared with students in the Lay Studies program for ABC of New York. “Old is a misnomer for the first testament of the Scriptures,” he says, “for the Hebrew Scriptures are an outline of the human condition today and our need, expectation, and inspiration of the Messiah.” Rev. Waldo has pastored four churches in his career spanning 37 years and four states. Currently the Lead Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa, NY where he has served for six years. He has been married to Barbara for 36 years and they have four adult daughters and a grandson.
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HOW TO REGISTER FOR EACH COURSE:
To Register: Complete registration online or complete the registration form and postal mail with payment (payable to ABCNYS) to ABCNYS, 3218 James St., Syracuse NY 13206
Questions: Rev. Leon Oaks-Lee (315.637.0023, [email protected])
Fees: The tuition is $110 per course. For family members living in the same house, the course fee is $110 for the first person and $60 for each subsequent person. Students may audit the course, without credit, for $60. The cost of the textbooks for each course is in addition to the tuition.
We invite you to deepen your understanding and engage with these enriching subjects. Don’t miss out register today!
Check out all of the courses offered in 2024:
| 2024_lsp_courses.pdf |
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To Register by POSTAL MAIL, download the registration form here.
Complete and mail with check for registration fee ($110 credit, $60 audit) to:
ABCNYS Lay Study Program
3218 James St.
Syracuse NY 13206
OR
Scroll down to pay online.
Complete and mail with check for registration fee ($110 credit, $60 audit) to:
ABCNYS Lay Study Program
3218 James St.
Syracuse NY 13206
OR
Scroll down to pay online.
To Register ONLINE: Complete the process below, and please remember to distinguish if you are taking the course for credit or audit.