Local IBS Courses
We offer classes each year across the U.S. through local IBS venues. Courses held at Lake Hart in Orlando are on this page.
Schedule for Local IBS Classes
Christian Worldview and Ethics (March 20-24, 2023)
Description: Following Jesus in our contemporary context is complex. We face decisions and questions that require thoughtful reflection, Scriptural study, and concrete action in our personal, ecclesial, and public lives. As people involved with Cru, we also care about presenting the good news of the gospel as some of these same questions press in on our culture. Does Christian faith have anything meaningful to offer cultural questions about race, sexuality, politics, environmental concerns, human trafficking, economic justice, etc.? This is a foundational course in Christian world view and ethics that is designed to help us follow Christ faithfully and develop as Christian ministers. In this course we will study different methods of ethical reasoning, authority of Scripture, moral formation, and moral norms; and we apply these principles to contemporary issues of economic, racial, and ecological justice; as well as sanctity of life, sexual faithfulness, and politics, with a special attention to global and pluralistic contexts of Christian ministry today.
This will not be a traditional lecture based class. The substance of this class will take place on your own as you read the material and prepare for each discussion. This time spent reading will be the "lecture." Each day of the class each student will come prepared to discuss with the professor and other students the material. This daily engagement will faciliatate a deeper learning and understanding of the material.
Note: Minimum enrollment for this course is 8 staff, if there are less than that, the course will likely be cancelled.
Dates: Monday, March 20 - Friday, March 24, 2023
Time: 9:30 - 11:30am & 1:00-3:00 CST
Location: Minneapolis Cru Office
Instructor: Dr. Ron Sanders
Tuition: $250 IBS Credit
Questions? Contact: ibs.info@cru.org
Class Resources:
Park, Andrew Sung. Racial Conflict and Healing: An Asian American Theological Perspective
Pei, Adrien. The Minority Experience: Navigating Emotional and Organizational Realities
Sanders, Ron: “Genesis and Abundant Life.”
Canvas: We use a Learning Managment Service called Canvas to help facilitate your learning for this course. You should get an email from Canvas within a month of the class starting.
Note: It is your responsibility to secure the required course texts.
Dr. Breshears
Description: What is the gospel? Few questions are more fundamental to our personal lives and organizational calling than this. Although we spend a lot of time and energy strategizing how to introduce men and women to the gospel, we often spend little time reflecting on the gospel itself. Furthermore, we often live as if the gospel is only for “lost” people and not also for those of us who have been “found.” In this class we will explore historic Christian teaching regarding the doctrine of humanity, the person and work of Christ, and the doctrine of salvation. Together these doctrines shape our understanding of the gospel. We will explore the basis of salvation in the Father’s sovereign plan; the accomplishment of salvation through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; and the application of salvation to God’s children by the Holy Spirit. We will examine these doctrines as they are taught in Scripture and confessed by the church so that we may better live to the glory of the triune God.
Note: We have reached miminum enrollment and the class will be held. There is room for more to sign up.
Dates: Monday to Friday, April 10-14, 2023
Time: 9:30 – 11:30am and 1:00 – 3:00pm EDT
Location: Indianapolis Cru Office
Tuition: $250
Course Resources:
Gerry Breshears & Debbie Dodd, Women in Leadership Chart
Andy Crouch, “the Return of Shame” Christianity Today (March 2015)
Jayson Georges, “Talking about Faith in Non-Western Contexts,” Modern Reformation 27 (July 2017).
Beth Moore, “A Letter to My Brothers” and Thabiti Anyabwile, “An Apology to Beth Moore and My Sisters”
Scazerro “11 Signs You Are an Emotionally Mature Christian” Outreach Magazine (Jan. 4, 2017)
Christopher Wright, “Atonement in the Old Testament,” in The Atonement Debate, pp. 69-82