Iowa Conference UCC 2007

CENTER/LEARN/SEARCH

CENTER/LEARN/SEARCH is a lay ministry study program of the Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ. Started in 1991, the program offers biblical, theological, and historical study opportunities, along with practical courses covering many aspects of local church life and ministry. CENTER/LEARN/SEARCH also welcomes participation by members of the Presbytery of Des Moines (PCUSA) and the Mid-American Baptist Churches, ABC/USA.

CENTER (Christian Educators, Nurtured, Taught, Enriched, Resourced) is a two-year track for those who wish to be better prepared as church educators. CENTER was developed for persons who desire to be involved in the education program of a local church, either as an employed lay educator or as an informed volunteer. Successful completion of the CENTER program also fulfills the educational requirement for those who choose to apply for certification as a church educator in the United Church of Christ, a denominational credential for those whose employment is in church education.

LEARN (Lay Education for Adults in Religion Now and the future), a three-year track for non-ordained persons, was designed in response to laity who were interested in opportunities for spiritual growth and theological study. In addition, there is a recognition that some persons might become "license-able" upon completion of the LEARN program. The associations of the Iowa Conference have determined that the LEARN program meets appropriate educational criteria for persons who might apply for licensing to serve in a setting where ordained leadership is not available and/or affordable.

SEARCH (Seekers Exploring, Acting, Reconciling, Conversing, Hoping) is a new program that supplements the CENTER and LEARN programs offered by the conference. If you are looking for a course or two on the Bible, Christian history, or worship, then this program is for you. You can explore without making a commitment to a longer program such as CENTER or LEARN.

Instructors for all courses are theologians with advanced degrees who are passionate about their faith and teaching. Lay people can take a coures and see where the Spirit might lead them. Pastors can take a course to get a new perspective on a topic of interest.

For more information, contact Lee Hood in the conference office or call her at 515-277-6369. A brochure is also available.

Missionaries

Several people from Iowa are commissioned to work as missionaries through Common Global Ministries, a common witness of the Division of Overseas Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Wider Church Ministries, United Church of Christ.

Doug and Liz Searles serve with the Evangelical Reformed Church in Poland. They can be reached at this address. Their home church is the United Church of Christ in Schleswig, Iowa.