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PROGRAM The Institute's specific initiatives vary somewhat from year to year,
and they are intended to meet the needs of a variety of different kinds
of people. Some are targeted for lay leaders (elders, deacons, teachers,
etc.); others are for particular sub-cultures within the life of the
church (teens professing their faith, young adults, women, etc.), and
still others are for all those, regardless of age, gender, etc. who
are interested in taking advantage of the opportunities these offerings
present. Convocation & "Occasional Events" Each year the Institute sponsors a convocation that is designed
to provide an opportunity for all those who are interested in taking
part in its work to explore together, under the leadership of a recognized
expert, a topic that demonstrates the relevance of the Reformed tradition
to contemporary life. Leadership Development Resources for Congregations The "Company of Teachers" is a group that has been created by the Institute for the purpose of providing Presbyterian churches in the metropolitan Washington area with qualified teachers on subjects pertaining to the history of Reformed Christianity. These individuals, most of whom have advanced degrees and are experienced teachers, have agreed to make themselves available for teaching in local churches as well as in the programs of the Institute itself. They have also agreed to work together as a team to develop appropriate strategies for communicating effectively with lay audiences on the relevant subjects. In addition, the Institute also sponsors, from time to time, workshops for teachers and those responsible for planning educational programs in the local church that are designed to enable such people to make effective use of the resources available in the Reformed tradition in their educational work in the church. Resources for Individuals Each year the Institute offers courses taught by members of the Company of Teachers that are designed to provide opportunities for serious study of various aspects of the Reformed tradition. These courses cover a variety of subjects, ranging from theology to politics and aesthetics. They are taught in local churches and are scheduled in such a way as to meet the needs of people with diverse schedules. Beginning in the fall of 2005, the Institute intends to offer, annually, a lay theological colloquy. These colloquies, which will provide an opportunity for a group of lay people to explore together a particular topic in Reformed theology and ethics that has particular relevance to contemporary life, and to do so under the leadership of a Reformed theologian who is known for his or her expertise on the subject, will meet for a series of meetings in a period that runs from October through April. Study Projects From time to time the Institute also undertakes study projects designed
to examine critically some aspect of congregational life in PCUSA churches
in the DC area in order to identify ways in which current practice can
be improved. In 2003 the Institute undertook its first such project,
creating a task force composed of representatives (both lay people
and church professionals) of Presbyterian churches in the area to examine
critically the current practice of our congregations concerning the
process-sometimes called "confirmation"-by which baptized
Christians become full (voting) members of the church. In the spring
of 2004 that body produced a report (PDF
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