McCormick Offers Certificate in Interreligious Understanding and Leadership
02-04-2015
Participants in McCormick Theological Seminary's new Certificate in Interreligious Understanding and Leadership will develop greater self-awareness, knowledge, expertise and competence in leading diverse religious, spiritual, secular and interreligious world. Its focus of the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam reflects the urgent need in North American society today for leaders who can navigate and bridge dividing lines of religion and culture, in ways that are authentic, honest, and effective.
What will I learn?
If you complete this program you will gain:
deeper self-understanding of your own religious-spiritual perspective and practice, and the ability to articulate that understanding in diverse religious settings;
increased knowledge of other religious-spiritual-secular traditions that are increasingly a part of our diverse local communities;
a working understanding of effective leadership practice, especially as it relates to leading in diverse, interreligious contexts;
practical experience in interreligious programming, organizing, culminating in practical application of course principles and knowledge;
relationships with people committed to ongoing interfaith commitment and cooperation.
Who Should Participate?
Leaders in nearly every arena of public life will benefit from this program:
mainline Christian, Jewish and Muslim clergy, educators, and community leaders;
college, university, hospital and prison chaplains;
political, business, non-profit leaders and health care providers;
human resources, public relations and marketing professionals;
advocates and activists for peace, justice, the environment and interreligious causes.
What is the Content and Schedule of the Program?
Session #1 Knowing Yourself and Your Religious Community/Beliefs
Monday – Wednesday, October 5-7, 2015
You will develop a deeper self-understanding of your own personal religious-spiritual outlook and practice, and learn to articulate your understanding in diverse religious settings; you will affirm the persistent and broadly shared beliefs and practices of your own tradition while engaging diverse and interreligious experiences and material in relevant and transformative ways.
Session #2 Knowing Your Neighbor
Thursday – Saturday, November 12-14, 2015
You will gain increased knowledge of diverse religious-spiritual-secular traditions that are increasingly a part of our local communities. Islam will be our case study, experience through the words and understandings of members of those communities. Note: Off-site trips to faith communities will be a part of this session.
Session #3 Knowing Your Leadership Style
Monday – Wednesday, January 25-27, 2016
You will explore and develop a working understanding of leadership theory and practice, especially as it relates to leading in diverse, interreligious contexts; and you will apply that knowledge to relevant and transformative activities with emerging diverse and interreligious contexts.
Session #4 Engaging Your Community
Monday – Wednesday, April 4-6, 2016
You will develop practical applications in interreligious programming and organizing, culminating in your own course project incorporating course principles and knowledge, and implementing new forms of practice, dialogue, collaboration, community-building and networking attentive to and consistent with community values.
Session #5 Testing Your Leadership Skills
a one-day follow-up in later August, TBD.
You will analyze and assess interfaith experiments for key learnings and new ways forward.
Primary Faculty:
Robert Cathey, professor of theology, McCormick Theological Seminary.
Dirk Ficca, Director, Interreligious Initiative for Middle East Peace, Presbytery of Chicago; International Director, Open Skåne.
Janaan Hashim, adjunct instructor, McCormick Theological Seminary, and spokesperson for the Council of Islamic Relations of Greater Chicago.
Jeffrey Japinga, associate dean and assistant professor of ministry and leadership, McCormick Theological Seminary.
Sarah Tanzer, professor of New Testament and Early Judaism, McCormick Theological Seminary.
Admission Requirements
A Bachelor’s Degree is highly recommended; an advanced degree is not required.
Applicants must hold active leadership responsibility in an institution or organization at the time of enrollment. This may be a faith-based institution, including churches, synagogues, or mosques, or may be a secular institution in which interreligious knowledge and competence is increasingly essential.
Applicants must also provide a letter of recommendation another person in leadership in your institution or agency, or from the board that oversees the particular organization.
Tuition
Tuition is $1,950.00 for the complete program. A $100.00 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of application; the full tuition may be paid in two installments. On-campus guest housing is available at additional cost. Meals and transportation are not included in the cost of the program.
Applications will be accepted beginning January 1, 2015. Application deadline in August 1, 2015 or when all space are filled.
For more information, please contact Jeff Japinga, 773-947-6332.
