This Cohort seeks to raise the participant's awareness of 3 interpretive issues related to the New Testament to help preacher-practioners recognize and avoid interpretive pitfalls in their ministry contexts. The topics addressed in this cohort include the white-washing of the Bible, reading the letters of Paul while understanding that Paul was Roman, and supersessionism and Christian supremacy in Hebrews.
Cohort facilitated by Rev. Dr. Wendy P. Bruner
Rev. Dr. Wendy Bruner is the pastor of Peace United Church of Christ in Webster Groves Missouri. She received both her Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees at Eden Theological Seminary. Rev. Dr. Bruner is passionate about building spaces of community and belonging for all people. She is an avid reader, a musician, a lover of dogs and appreciates a good cup of coffee.
Content created by Rev. Dr. Raquel Lettsome, Professor of New Testament and Womanist Biblical Interpretation at Eden
Dr. Lettsome is a sought-after preaching coach and ministry consultant, renowned for her ability to assist pastors in honing their skills for interpreting scripture, creating sermon prep and weekly schedules that accommodate their individual lives, and training Christian education leaders.
She is a respected member of the Society of Biblical Literature, serving on the steering committees for the Womanist Biblical Interpretation and the Minoritized Criticism and Biblical Interpretation. Dr. Lettsome has garnered national recognition for her captivating preaching, impactful teaching, compelling writing, engaging online courses, and enlightening webinar experiences.
Dates: 6:30-8pm CT, May 12, June 9, July 14, and Aug. 11, 2025
all cohort meetings will be online
Ministry Cohorts
Ministry Cohorts allow you to sample many theological themes, offering peer learning with your ministry context in mind. Scholars have chosen a specific lens on a particular topic and share their expertise through digital content you watch on your own time. Four monthly online meetings are interspersed, where you and your Cohort members gather for facilitated discussion with an experienced church leader.
Cohorts support lifelong learning and are for anyone- authorized clergy, chaplains, Christian educators, lay leaders and anyone interested in the topic. UCC members will recognize the Marks for Ministry woven throughout the cohorts, though anyone from any denomination, or no denomination, is welcome to attend.
Completion of this Ministry Cohort provides 9 contact hours of continuing education, subject to approval by the participant's credentialing body.
