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SCC

The Inner Life of Small Christian Communities, January 2022

Whether they are called basic Christian communities, basic ecclesial communities, intentional Christian communities, or small Christian communities, they are a way of being in the world that harkens back to the models and fervor of the early church. They bring life to parishes and other Christian groups across continents.

Loyola's focus area in Small Christian Community Formation provides students with a broad theological and historical understanding of this movement, with a familiarity of research on SCCs, and with skills for forming and nurturing intentional Christian communities in parishes, religious communities, prisons, schools, and other grassroots settings. It is rooted in the example set by the earliest Christians, inspired by Pope Francis, and informed by the best in international research. It recognizes that a true Christian community is both gathered (faith’s internal life) and sent (faith’s public life).

This course examines the internal life of small Christian communities: their leadership, communications, worship, and decision making. It includes historical and theological perspectives on the functioning of Christian communities inside their own boundaries.

In this course, you will

  • Appreciate the varieties of small Christian communities internationally and their potential for transformation and inspiration;
  • Understand the inner life of SCCs and the call of it and its members to discipleship in the world;
  • Reflect on the theology and ecclesiology of SCCs and their relation to parishes;
  • Understand the spirituality that informs SCC life and learn to lead SCCs in breaking open the Word in a disciplined way;
  • Understand the social-psychological and socio-cultural significance of small Christian communities;
  • Grasp the importance of leadership in SCCs and critical issues, including conflict resolution, within group life for leadership; 
  • Engage with classmates from around the world
  • Recognize the appeal of this way of being Church to youth, young adults, and campus ministries
  • Earn 3 graduate credits credits

Details

Apply

  • Students who seek a scholarship to participate in the Eastern Africa SCC Leadership Project must meet these criteria and be invited to apply. 
  • Others may apply at https://grad.loyno.edu/apply/. For those who, at this point, intend to take only this class, you simply need to complete the application, email a copy of the transcript of your bachelor's degree to tfryan@loyno.edu, and upload a 1-page résumé of your educational background, work experience, and any volunteer positions; make sure to highlight any SCC or ministry background.  Please also provide a 3-page statement of educational purpose. You do not need to submit recommendation forms at this time. Those who have already taken one course or who intend to begin a degree or certificate with this class should complete the entire applicaiton with full statement of purpose, original transcript, and recommendation forms.  

About the Loyola Institute for Ministry

The Loyola Institute for Ministry (LIM) of Loyola University New Orleans has been a leader in distance ministry education; its online programs serve students on six continents. Its master’s degrees and certificates attend carefully to context and are Catholic, practical, transformative, and affordable.  It is the only US Catholic university to offer graduate-level focus area in SCCs.  Listen to an interview of Fr. Joe Healey, MM on SCCs. Fr. Healey is an author and leader in the promotion of SCCs and helped develop this course.