Gone are the days when Christian Education is understood as what happens only on Sunday Mornings for children.  While Sunday morning remains a critical timeframe in the life of the church and  for congregational learners and disciples, Christian Education embraces a diverse context and a wide variety of participants.  This course will focus on the call of congregations and leaders to equip young and old in the development of their spiritual lives as individuals and in community.  With a look at our own experiences of growth and deepening, we will also consider scriptural encouragements, learning styles, rites of passage, small groups formulation techniques and spiritual gifts identification processes.

Kim Gage Ryan has 25 years of congregational experience, with ministry foci in Christian Education, Hospitality and Evangelism, Team Building with staff, ministerial colleagues, and congregational leaders.  With a sensitivity to process and healthy organizations, Rev. Ryan coaches/mentors individuals, groups, and churches toward their desired goals and ministry aspirations.  She is a graduate of Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University and a summa cum laude graduate of Texas Tech University where she studied psychology, child development, and art.  She currently is on the Bethany Fellowships Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) leadership team and president of the Bethany Fellowships Board, facilitating and mentoring young ministers in their first five years of ministry. Rev. Ryan is also a trained and certified labyrinth facilitator through Veriditas with Lauren Artress and a trained Spiritual Director through The Mercy Center in Burlingame, CA. 

Kim grew up in Amarillo, TX attending First Christian Church and serving in youth leadership through the Southwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  She and Bill Ryan were co-ministers in Wabash, IN for five years where son Gage was born 1987.  In 1989 Kim was called to serve as Associate Minister at Broadway Christian Church where she ministered until May 2009.  Keller was born in 1992.  This past year she has worked with Olivet Christian Church and Columbia United Church of Christ.  She is the coordinator for a Missouri Foundation for Health grant funded project called TREE - Teen Relationship Education and Empowerment working with 16 Boone County Congregations to resource them in helping their teens discern healthy relationships, unhealthy relationships and abusive relationships.  Kim directs the NEOLA camp for 8th graders, That Camp About God and Sex.  She is also co-owner and vice president of The Communications Center, www.building.dialogue.com

Dates:  December 10-11, 2010

Times:  7:00 p.m. Friday to 5:00 p.m. Saturday

Location:  Rickman Center, Jefferson City, MO

Cost:  $140  (includes lodging and meals)   $120 (meals only)