The Inner Life of Small Christian Communities, Summer 2020

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 of the functioning of Christian communities inside their own boundaries.

In this course, you will

• Grow to appreciate the varieties of small Christian communities around the world
• Explore conversation as a root metaphor for SCC life
• Understand the inner and public life of an SCC
• Study the social-psychological and theological significance of small Christian communities
• Reflect on the ecclesiology of SCCs and their relationship to parishes
• Learn how to present a working model of SCCs to interested parties
• Summarize current research on SCCs internationally
• Grasp the importance of leadership in SCCs and critical issues within group life with important implications for leadership
• Comprehend what is required to lead a group or community in breaking open the Word in a disciplined way
• Discover SCC’s potential for transformation and inspiration
• 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 or 3 CEU credits

Details

• LIM 810, "The Inner Life of Small Christian Communities"
• Available for 3 graduate credits or 3 CEU credits  
• May 25-July 31, fully online.  
• Questions?  Contact Tom Ryan at tfryan@loyno.edu or 504-865-2069.

Registration

• To register, go to https://grad.loyno.edu/apply/
• For those who, at this point, intend to take only this class, you simply need to complete the application and upload a résumé and a 1-2 page statement of purpose. You do not need to submit transcripts or letters of recommendation. 
• 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, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.  

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.