The Institute for Church Leadership (ICL) offers a series of courses in Bible, theology, spiritual formation, the mission of the Kingdom, church history and more. See our scope and sequence below. Anyone can benefit from these opportunities for spiritual enrichment and leadership development. You need not be a part of a local EC Church. The EC Church is pleased to offer ICL classes as a resource for building the Kingdom of God.
These non-credit courses are open to all, without any educational prerequisites. They are not seminary level courses and do not earn credit from any seminary. The courses comprise the required training for those seeking the Local Elder’s License or Lay Preacher’s Certification in the Evangelical Congregational Church and may be applicable to pastoral credentials for other denominations as well.
New students: If you wish to enroll, please subscribe to the $50/month plan on this page. The link will take you to Kairos University’s registration page. We partner with Kairos to deliver our classes. On that page, you will be prompted to create a Kairos Pathwright account. Pathwright is the learning management system where your learning material and course interactions will be based. The cost of the program will be $50/month for as long as you are enrolled. Students who wish to audit courses and not receive ICL credit can do so for $50 per course. Please contact Joel Kime at the email address below for instructions about auditing classes.
For more information, please contact Joel Kime at [email protected].
ICL Classes for Spring 2023
Hermeneutics
Tuesdays, February 7 – March 21, 6:30-9:15 p.m.
Instructor: Tim Seiger
Course Description: This course is an introduction to the interpretation of the Biblical text. The course will cover some of the basic skills of biblical interpretation as well as exploring issues surrounding questions concerning what the Bible is and how it “works.” The course will help equip the student to interpret, teach, and preach the Biblical text in a pastoral setting with an emphasis on moving from interpretation to appropriate application.
OT Survey
Tuesdays, May 2 – June 13, 6:30-9:15 p.m.
Instructor: Tim Valentino
Course Description: In this course the student surveys Old Testament literature, history, geography, culture, theology, and structure to understand and communicate what the Old Testament reveals about God. Additional issues addressed include: Who are the important people and nations? What are the significant events, and where do they happen? How is the Old Testament put together? How does the Old Testament apply to us today? What resources are available to understand, teach, and preach the Old Testament?
Instructor Bios
Tim Seiger has pastored in the E.C. Church for 34 years and has been pastor of Wyndamere Heights E.C. Church outside of Harrisburg, PA for the last 23 years. He received his MDiv from Evangelical Seminary and his DMin from Biblical Theological Seminary in Hatfield, PA. Tim is married to Kim and they have three grown children, Emily married to Chase and Katie and Zach who are twins!
Tim Valentino has been a professor at Evangelical Seminary since 2007, teaching a variety of Bible, theology, pastoral ministry, and student writing courses. He presently serves as the Assistant Th.D. Program Director. Tim received his MDiv from Evangelical Seminary and his DMin from Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. He is now finishing his Th.D. degree at Evangelical Seminary. Tim has served in pastoral ministry since 1992, and currently serves as a Pastor of Christ Community Church in Myerstown, PA. Tim and his wife Sonya reside in Myerstown as well. They have a son, Andrew, and a daughter, Bethany, and a son-in-law, Micah. He blogs at https://timandsonya.com.