"...be transformed by the renewing of your minds..."
Christian Education
& Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU
Christian education is an important ministry of the Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU.  Different formats, styles, topics, times, and locations provide a wide variety of opportunities for cultivating the Christian mind.

We are currently evaluating our past Christian Education programs.  So, almost anything is possible for the upcoming year.  For your consideration, here are some of the things that we have done in the past.  Take a look, and, if something appeals to you, please comment.

Theology on Tap

Theology on Tap, was our most popular educational offering for four years running.  An informal, relaxed, unstructured, yet civil theological symposium, ToT drew a notably ecumenical crowd.  Usually, topics are determined by the gathering.  We first began meeting in the Side Pocket Pub and eventual found a home at The Blue Moose Cafe.  Meetings were held weekly.  Unfortunately, interest waned in late 2006.  We decided to give ToT a rest.  We are, however, prepared to restart it should there be demand.

How to Read the Bible.

In cooperation with St. Paul Lutheran Church (Evansdale), we offered a course using Etienne Charpentier's How to Read the Bible.  Participants learned to identify the different types of text found in Holy Scriptures and the issues related to them so as to better equip the reader of Holy Scriptures to make sense of the texts and exegete them accurately.  Both Chaplain Riegel and Pr. Bennett taught.

Etienne Charpentier's How to Read the Bible: The Old and New Testaments is out of print.  Consequently, we are dealing with used book sellers in most cases.  To help you purchase a copy, we're providing these links.1

BCs Needed!
Do you have an old Book of Concord gathering dust?  Put it to work by donating it to the LCM@WVU!  We need BCs for Catechesis and other instruction.  Tappert (and older) editions are welcome.  Of course, we won't say no to a Kolb/Wengert.  Our shipping and mailing address are the same (1497 University Ave., Morgantown, WV  26505).

Need help doing this?  Just drop us a line: Lutheran@WVU.edu

For more ideas for supporting campus ministry, click here.

Luther Rose

Catechesis--Confirmation Classes for Collegians.

For those interested in formal instruction in the Christian faith and the Lutheran theological tradition, catechesis is offered.  Some participants are preparing for confirmation, but others are coming for a refresher or out of curiousity.  Each session lasts 45 minutes.  All required materials for the class are available on the web or will be provided.  If you are interested, please contact us.  For details about the class and a syllabus, click here.

Other Christian Education Quesions...

Sunday School.  St. Paul Lutheran Church (Evansdale) will kick off a new academic year of Sunday School in mid-September with Rally Day activities.  

Hey, I'm faculty / staff....  Know that you are welcome at the Lutheran Campus Center.  Our educational ministry is here for you too.  With rare exceptions, everything we offer is open to all.  If you questions, just ask.  You my also want to check out what is offered at St. Paul Lutheran Church (Evansdale).  Together, the two Lutheran ministries in Morgantown strive to teach the faith with integrity and passion.

Hey, I've got children....  The Lutheran Campus Ministry is not equipped to provide Sunday School, first communion instruction, or middle school catechesis.  Working cooperatively with St. Paul Lutheran Church (Evansdale), Christian education for children is provided.  Dedicated and competent laity serve as teachers and aids in St. Paul's Sunday School.  Chaplain Riegel and Pr. Bennett often share teaching responsibilities at both St. Paul's and the Chapel.

Among our typical offerings you will find...

Theology on Tap
 A weekly gathering of persons interested in theological conversation, Theology on Tap is modeled after Martin Luther's "table talk." The sessions are very, very informal.  There is usually no set agenda, allowing the group to explore whatever is on their mind that evening.  Past topics have included church politics, sacraments, the authority of Holy Scriptures, and the theological assumptions of drug enforcement, to name but a few.  As this is not a formal gathering, one does not "sign-up."  Just come--even if it is only once.  It is a very diverse gathering including Lutherans, Papists, Methodists, Baptists, Pentecostals, Reformed, Anabaptists, et al..  Participants include everything from first year students to one post-doctoral researcher.  We meet at The Blue Moose Cafe.
LSM Bible Study
 Started at the request of the Lutheran Student Movement, the LSM Bible Study is a hard-hitting, theologically intense Bible study.  Employing critical scholarly tools, we look at original language vocabulary, grammar, rhetoric, cultural anthropology, historical setting, et al., so that we might plunder the riches of the text.  Spring Term 2003, we studied the Book of Ezekiel; we gathered every Thursday at 7:00 AM--and students really did crawl out of bed for the experience.  As one student put it: "It was totally unlike any other Bible study I've been in."  Fall 2003, we studied 1 Corinthians, Thursdays, 9:00 AM.  Sessions last roughly 45 minutes.  These Bible Studies are not offered every semester.  When, however, the students ask for them, they are offered.
Catechesis A.k.a., "Confirmation for Collegians."  Confirmation instruction is a long standing tradition in the Lutheran movement.  At WVU, however, we gear the instruction for collegians.  While intended for those preparing for confirmation in the Lutheran tradition, anyone is welcome.  Those already confirmed may find it a very helpful.  It would be more than a review; it will take you to the next level of theological education.
Film Night Whenever the mood strikes, it's "Film Night."  With our recent acquisition of a 36" flat-sceen TV (and an LCD projector when we want to go all out), movies are a joy to watch--the bean bag chairs are a bonus.  We've watched and discussed a wide variety of films.  The popcorn is free!
Lutheranism 101 What is it? Where did it come from? What are its basic principles? Classes as announced or individual instruction, as requested. eMail Chaplain Riegel or call the office (304-296-5388) should you be interested.
Brot und Bier
 Nothing is better than having a visiting scholar in town.  We invite visiting scholars to join us in the Chapel for a relaxed evening of conversation over good food and drink.  Gathered around the table, the scholar gives a short presentation on a topic of interest to the scholar.  Then we open the floor for discussion and questions.  It can get pretty interesting.

If there is something you would like to see (but we are not currently offering), please contact us.  Ask, and it may be granted.

Also, should you like to be kept informed (i.e., receive notices) about educational offerings, please contact us.

We also have the beginnings of an eLibrary.  Check it out.
 

Past Christian Education Offerings
Dates Type Title
Advent 2000 Film Festival (3-part) "Hollywood Apocalypse; Holy Word Apocalypse"
Lent 2001 Film Festival (6-part) "Jesus in Film"
Holy Trinity 2001 Public Lecture "A Brief Introduction to Trinitarian Doctrine"
Augsburg Confession 2001 Public Lecture "A Brief Introduction to the Augsburg Confession"
Lent 2002 Bible Study (7-part) "Exploring the Biblical Stories of Holy Week"
Holy Trinity 2002 Public Lecture "Nicene Christology"
Augsburg Confession 2002 Public Lecture "Politics and Confessional Ecclesiology"
Academic 2002/2003 Theology on Tap (weekly) Theology on Tap
Academic Spring 2003 LSM Bible Study (weekly) "Ezekiel"
John Donne Day 2003 Wine & Cheese "An Evening with John Donne"
Bonhoeffer Day 2003 Film Night "Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace"
Holy Wednesday 2003 Film Night "Jesus of Montreal"
Summer 2003 Theology on Tap (2) "John Calvin"
"John XXIII"
Summer 2003 Adult VBS "The (Un)Bible Study: Reading the Noncanonical Scriptures"
Summer 2003-Fall 2003 St. Paul Bible Study "1 Corinthians"
Academic 2003/4 Theology on Tap (weekly) Theology on Tap
Fall 2003 LSM Bible Study (weekly) "1 Corinthians"
Reformation Daze 2003 Brot und Bier "An Evening with Andras Mate-Toth"
Fall 2003 Catechesis "Catechesis for Collegians"
February 18, 2004 Film Night "John Osborne's Martin Luther's"
Lent 2004 Pastor's Class (Pr. Bennett) "Seven Marks of the Church."
George Herbert Day 2004 Wine & Cheese "An Evening with George Herbert"
Summer 2004 Theology on Tap (6) Euler & Copernicus: Science
The Cappadocian Fathers: Trinitarianism
John Calvin: Politics & Work
John XXIII: Reform of the Church
Mary Magdalene: Noncanonical Scriptures
Lawrence: Martyrdom
Academic 2004/5
 Theology on Tap (weekly)
 Theology on Tap
Fall 2004
 Bible Study
 "How to Read the Old Testament"
Fall 2004
 Brot und Bier
 "Happiness Hour with a Buddhist Scholar"
Fall 2004
 Brot und Bier
 "An Evening with Eric Crump, Systematic Theologian"
Spring 2005
 Bible Study
 "How to Read the New Testament"
John Donne Day 2005
 Wine & Cheese
 "An Evening with John Donne"
Academic 2005/6
 Theology on Tap (weekly)
 Theology on Tap (second semester focus on Narnia)
Fall 2005
 Brot und Bier
 "An Evening with Peter Turok"
Aug./Sept. 2006
 Theology on Tap (weekly)
 Theology on Tap
Fall 2006
 Brot und Bier
 "John Chrysostom" with John Teitman
Lent 2007
 Brot und Bier
 "How to start a new religion: the Prophet Enoch speaks" with Elliot Kennell
Holy Week 2007
 Music Education
 "Putting the School Back in Schola"
September 2007
 Listing Post
 "Listening Post on Genetics"
Fall 2007
 Pre-Sem Luncheon
 "Vocational Discernment Luncheon"
Reformation Daze 2007
 War Game
 "Here I Stand: Was of the Reformation, 1517-1555"
Advent 2007
 Music Education
 "Putting the School Back in Schola"
Spring 2008
 Pre-Sem Study
 "Pre-seminarian Study of the Catechism"
Lent 2008
 Road Trip
 "St. Anthony Chapel"
Holy Week 2008
 Music Education
 "Putting the School Back in Schola"
April 2008
 Pre-Sem Dinner
 "Seminary Recruiters' Visit"

[ Return to FAQs Page ]

1In providing these links, we make no endorsement (explicit or implicit) of any commercial enterprise.