Diakonia Continuing Education Courses Open for Summer Registration

The Diakonia National Program has announced a new lineup of online continuing education courses for this summer, and registration is now open at Diakonia Education.

These post-graduate offerings are open to anyone — including current students, graduates, instructors and other interested learners across the church. All courses will meet online and follow a format similar to regular Growing in Faith/Diakonia classes: five weeks long, meeting once per week for three hours.

Participants should note that the dates listed below are for required online organizational meetings. Final course schedules will be determined collaboratively between instructors and participants after those meetings take place. Organizers encourage participants to register even if they cannot attend the organizational session.

The course fee is $65 per course. Payment is made by check payable to “Diakonia” and mailed to:

Rev. Douglas Liston
1874 Decamp Rd.
Hamilton, Ohio 45013

Please include the course name in the memo line of the check. Fees do not need to be paid until after the organizational meeting.

Participants can register through the Diakonia website using the same process as standard course registration. Courses will be listed under the “Northern Illinois Synod” section. Those who have not logged in recently may need to use the “Forgot Password” option.

Summer Course Offerings

Living Out Our Baptismal Promise
Instructor: Pr. Kenn Storck
Organizational Meeting: Tuesday, June 2 at 7 p.m. CDT

This course explores what the Gospel is and how Christians can faithfully communicate the Gospel in the 21st century. Participants will reflect on worship, preaching, sacraments, the arts and lives of service as ways the Gospel is lived and shared in community.

First Testament Prophets
Instructor: Pr. Fred Reklau
Organizational Meeting: Saturday, June 6 at 11 a.m. CDT

Participants will study the prophetic voices of the First Testament and the ways God called the people back into covenant relationship through prophets who spoke truth, warning and love across generations.

Gospel and Letters of John and Other Early Gospels
Instructor: Dr. Trenton Ferro
Organizational Meeting: Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m. CDT

This course examines the Gospel and letters of John, their theology and relationship to the Synoptic Gospels, while also introducing participants to Gnosticism and other early Gospel writings associated with figures such as Thomas, Peter and Judas.

Basic New Testament Greek for Everyone
Instructor: Dr. Trenton Ferro
Organizational Meeting: Saturday, June 20 at 10 a.m. CDT

Designed for beginners, this multi-session course introduces participants to the basics of New Testament Greek and equips learners to better use biblical reference tools and engage original-language texts.

For questions about the courses, contact Dr. Trenton R. Ferro at trferro@yahoo.com or (724) 762-0305. Questions about the website can be directed to admin@diakonia.education.

As Lutherans committed to lifelong learning and formation, these courses offer a meaningful opportunity to deepen biblical understanding, strengthen discipleship and grow in faith alongside others across the church.