Christianity in a Crisis-Shaped World

An Online Open Enrolment Course

Tuesday evenings,  January 28th to February 18th, 7:00pm to 8:30pm

From climate change to economic inequality, from human migration to major wars, from mental health to housing, the world seems to be shaped by crises—so much so that some commentators have started to use the word “polycrisis” to describe this moment in human history. At the same time, the church is undergoing profound change as it adapts to a new, era. A weakened church in a world in polycrisis is the reality of Christian ministry and there will be no going back to “normal.” 

In this online course, Dio Principal Jesse Zink draws on and expands on the material in his recent book Faithful, Creative, Hopeful: Fifteen Theses for Christians in a Crisis-Shaped World to outline possibilities for what Christian witness can and must look like in this crisis-shaped world. Students will learn about the necessity of churches to be communities of resistance to the powers of our time, how dominant economic models obstruct Christian witness, and ways churches can find renewal in this challenging time, among much else. You don’t need to have read the book to join the course! 

Our online open enrollment courses are designed for students of any background. There is no homework and no written assignments. All you need is a willingness to listen, learn, and ask questions about what it means to follow Jesus in the world today. Individuals are welcome to join, but groups can also join and use the material that will be provided for discussion afterwards about how these ideas are worked out in the life of their community. 

This seems familiar. Have you offered this course before?

Yes. We offered a very similar course in the fall of 2021. If you’re among the people who took that course, you may find this repetitive. But we think the topic is so interesting, it’s worth updating the course and offering it again.

FEES

Regular: $90/person, $200/group

Friends of the College: $75/person, $170/group

There will be a $25 late fee for anyone who registers after January 21st, 2025.

MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION

[email protected]

Instructor: The Rev. Dr. Jesse Zink is principal of Montreal Diocesan Theological College and the author of several books about Christian faith in the 21st century, including A Faith for the Future.

About Open Enrolment

Our open enrolment courses equip students for life in a changing church. These courses are aimed at anyone who is interested in deepening their Christian faith and knowledge, and cultivating leadership skills in the church. There is no homework or written assignments. All you need is a desire to learn and a willingness to participate.

Learn Together

We want to encourage people to learn together. You can join this course as an individual, but we also encourage you to gather with a friend or group in a parish hall or living room to participate in the course together and discuss the class afterwards using the resources we provide. Whether you have three people or a dozen people gathered together, register as a group and the cost is the same.