Quotes from 2010-2011 Participants
in United’s Academy for Vital Christianity

 

“I have attended several events and this is my first class. My spiritual needs and awareness grew with each experience. I would highly recommend that anyone who is able, take the time and experience this gem. I feel so fortunate to have a resource like this so available. It deepens and supports my work in the church that I regularly attend.”
~ Marty Watson, St. Paul’s UCC

“Presents the church service as a vital community effort which makes our faith relevant to our lives and makes us all feel part of a larger community. I enjoyed the gender-neutral, multi-cultural, multi-generational approach.”
~ Randy Pratt, Edina MN

“This course was extremely informative on the origins of the gospels and how they are the same and different with each other. Paul Capetz is extremely knowledgeable and a great teacher.”
~ Dan Durdin, Maple Grove MN

“The Academy for Vital Christianity is a rich gift being brought out into the community. I feel blessed to have experienced a day class. Thank you United Theological Seminary.”
~ Jan Prehn, Madison Lake MN

“Great, personable leadership/teaching style. Sensitive and very knowledgeable. And music input very enriching for learning. Loved it!”
~Karen Ashton, Dexter MN

“It was great to study the ‘historical’ side of the gospels. We always study the meanings of them but don’t seem to take the time to see how they relate to each other or the time (era) they were written in.”
~ Judy Maul, Plymouth MN

 

Anonymous responses to the question: 'What did I leave [the class] with?'

• Lots of new ideas.
• Very practical and usable materials with a lot of references and supportive material.
• Practical, in depth, helpful knowledge.
• I left with lots of ideas that I would like to implement in our church (as Faith Formation chair)
• New ideas, techniques.
• I am more confident in using the Old Testament in giving sermons.
• We will implement this plan into our monthly worship and arts committee meeting.
• I have already shared much of what I have learned with my congregation.

Anonymous responses to the question: 'What was it (the class) like?'

• The group setting contributes to the learning, it is engaging and stimulating.
• This course has been terrific! Very helpful for our revitalization ministry.
• The level of scholarship and discussion was above what I expected.
• Lots of question and answer time plus time with the text.
• I was edified by carrying out the assignments between sessions. 
• An engaging process of exploring psalms, prophetic tradition, biblical authority.
• It was truly a collaborative seminar.
• It was exactly what it was said to be. Material very usable and relevant.
• Good insights presented in a way that is easy to understand.
• We not only learned methods of biblical interpretation we actually put them into practice. We turned to specific texts and applied the methods and discussed our interpretations.
• The discussion with other students was very rewarding.
• It offered quality education in an available setting.
• Excellent organization of material; good balance of short lectures and group engagement; exceptionally fine instructor.