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Course offerings at Meadville Lombard

VIEW CURRENT COURSE CATALOG

Find course descriptions in the Academic Catalog linked above or in Populi. Older Academic Catalogs are available here.

NOTE: Course offerings are subject to change for many unforeseeable reasons.

Please double-check with the listing on Populi before you finalize your course plan. If you have any questions about the course offerings and registration, please don’t hesitate to contact our Registrar, Elena Jimenez.

If you are looking for lifelong learning and continuing education programs, please visit the Leadership Institute for Growth, Healing, and Transformation (LIGHT) section.

All courses are 3 credits and all times are listed in Central Time unless noted otherwise. 

Learn More about LIGHT

FALL TERM 2025
(August 14 – November 21)

Signature courses

Fall 2025 Course Schedule

Vocational Studies 1:
Formation [Kirk]

Hybrid intensive Tues August 26,
Zoom meetings 3–5pm
Thursdays

  • Jenny Odell, How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy Melville House, 2020 – ISBN 1612198554 Available as paperback, e-book, and audiobook.  
  • Erin Walter, ed. Care for the World: Reflections on Community Ministry (Skinner House Press, 2022) ISBN 1558968946. Available as paperback or e-book. 
  • Additional readings to be posted on Populi.

Leadership Studies 1:
Formation [Staff]

Hybrid intensive Tues August 26,
Zoom meetings 3–5pm
Thursdays

  • TBA

Grounding:
Theology and Social Praxis

Hybrid intensive Wed August 27,
Zoom meetings 2–4pm
Wednesdays

  • King, Thomas. The Truth about Stories: A Native Narrative (University of Minnesota Press, 2008): 978-0816646272
  • Macy, Joanna and Johnstone, Chris, Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We’re In with Unexpected Resilience and Creative Power (New World Library 2022): 978-1608687107
  • Miller-McLemore, Bonnie J. Follow Your Bliss and Other Lies About Calling (Oxford, 2024). ISBN: 978-0190084042.
  • Taiwo, Olufemi. Elite Capture, (Chicago: Haymarket, 2022): 978-1642596885
  • NOTE: Additional articles, chapters, and resources will be assigned. The library will have either print or ebooks for the required books.
  •  

MDiv required courses

Preaching As If You Mean It [Hergert]

Hybrid intensive Wed August 27,
Zoom meetings 2–4pm Tuesdays
Tuesdays 

  •  Required Texts
    • Lisa Thompson. Preaching the Headlines: Possibilities and Pitfalls. Fortress Press: 2021.
    • Lucas Hergert. Impassioned: A Guide for Progressive Preaching. Skinner House Books: 2025.
    • Otis Moss III. Blue Note Preaching in a Post-Soul World: Finding Hope in an Age of Despair. Westminster John Knox Press: 2015.
    • Matthew Johnson. Newborn Bards: A Theology of Preaching for Unitarian Universalists. 2nd ed., Independently Published: 2025.
    • Charles Campbell. The Scandal of the Gospel: Preaching and the Grotesque. Westminster John Knox Press: 2021.  
  • Recommended Text:  Peter Jonker. Preaching in Pictures: Using Images for Sermons that Connect. Abingdon: 2015.

Constructive Theology [Hogue]

Hybrid intensive Thurs,
Sept 12, Zoom meetings 6–8pm
Mondays 

  • Anderson, Victor. Creative Exchange: A Constructive Theology of African American Religious Experience (Fortress, 2008). ISBN: 9780800662554.  
  • Gebara, Ivone. Longing for Running Water: Ecofeminism and Liberation (Fortress, 1999). ISBN: 9781451409901.  
  • Grau and Wyman, eds., What is Constructive Theology (Bloomsbury, 2020). ISBN: 9780567696540 (Intro and Select Chapters) [NOTE: ebook in library]
  • Hogue, Michael S. American Immanence: Democracy for an Uncertain World (Columbia University Press, 2018). ISBN: 9780231172325.  
  • Rivera, Mayra. The Touch of Transcendence: A Postcolonial Theology of God (Westminster John Knox: Louisville, 2007). ISBN: 9780664230739.  
  • Solle, Dorothy. The Silent Cry: Mysticism and Resistance (Fortress Press, 2001).  ISBN: 9780800632663.
  • Tinker, George. Spirit and Resistance: Political Theology and American Indian Liberation (Fortress, 2004). ISBN: 9781451408416.  
  •  NOTE: Additional articles, chapters, videos, and podcasts may also be assigned.  Print books, ebooks, chapters, videos, articles, podcasts, and supplemental resources are available through the Wiggin Library resource page for this class: https://library.meadville.edu/TS442INT

Healthy Boundaries for Leaders [House]

No intensive,
Zoom meetings 10am–Noon
Thursdays

  • Cooper-White, Pamela. Shared Wisdom: Use of the Self in Pastoral Care and Counseling. Revised and Expanded 20th anniversary edition. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2024.  
  • Fortune, Marie. Healthy Boundaries 201 – Beyond Basics: Course Workbook. FaithTrust Institute (faithtrustinstitute.org), 2012. https://vawnet.org/sites/default/files/assets/files/FaithTrust-HealthyBoundaries201-English-2012.pdf*The Workbook is available online for free at the previous link, or a printed version can be purchased from Amazon at this link: https://a.co/d/2KZN20m.  
  • Hemphill, Prentis. What It Takes to Heal: How Transforming Ourselves Can Change the World. New York: Penguin Press, 2024.  
  • Olsen, David C., and Nancy G. Devor. Saying No to Say Yes: Everyday Boundaries and Pastoral Excellence. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2015.  
  • Pasquale, Teresa. Sacred Wounds: A Path to Healing from Spiritual Trauma. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2015.  
  • Reeves, Kenneth. The Whole Church: Congregational Leadership Guided by Systems Theory. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2019.  
  • Sawyer, Laurin D., Emily Cohen, and Annie Mesaros, eds. Responding to Spiritual Leader Misconduct: A Handbook. Seattle, WA: FaithTrust Institute (faithtrustinstitute.org), 2022. https://www.faithtrustinstitute.org/news-documents/Responding%20to%20Spiritual%20Leader%20Misconduct%20Handbook_FINAL_Digital_9_29_22.pdf. [This text is available online for free at the previous link, or a printed version can be purchased from Amazon at this link: https://a.co/d/a1JHt7j.  
  • Tawwab, Nedra Glover. Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself. New York: TarcherPerigee, 2021.  
  • Students will be required to choose from ONE of the following:  
    • Haidt, Jonathan. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. New York: Penguin Press, 2024.  
    • Murthy, Vivek Hallegere. Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World. New York: Harper Wave, 2020.  
    • Ross, Loretta J. Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You’d Rather Cancel. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2025.

Faith Formation in a Changing World [Mosby]

Hybrid intensive Fri, August 29,
Zoom meetings 6–8pm
Wednesdays

  • Blount, Reginald and Virginia A. Lee, Eds. Let Your Light Shine: Mobilizing for Justice with Children and Youth. Friendship Press, 2019. ISBN-10: 1733075933 
  • Boys, Mary C. Educating in Faith: Maps and Vision. Academic Renewal Press, 2001. ISBN-10: 078809906X  
  • Harris, Maria. Fashion Me a People: Curriculum in the Church. Westminister John Knox Press, 1989.  ISBN-10‏: ‎0664240526   
  • Kujawa-Holbrook, Sheryl A. God Beyond Borders: Interreligious Learning Among Faith Communities. Pickwick Publications, 2018.  ISBN-13‏: ‎978-1630872564  
  • Morrison-Reed, Mark D. The Selma Awakening: How the Civil Rights Movement Tested and Changed Unitarian Universalism. Skinner House Books, 2014. ISBN-10: 1558967338 
  • Reyes, Patrick B. Nobody Cries When We Die: God, Community, and Surviving to Adulthood. Chalice Press, 2016. ISBN-10: ‎9780827225312

Unitarian Universalist History and Polity [Kirk]

Hybrid intensive Thurs, August 28,
Zoom meetings 10am–Noon
Wednesdays

  • John Buehrens. Universalists and Unitarians: A People’s History (Boston: Skinner House Press, 2011) ISBN 1558966129 Available as a paperback and e-book.
  • Dan McKanan, ed. A Documentary History of Unitarian Universalism: From the Beginning to 1899 – Volume One (Boston: Skinner House Press, 2017) ISBN 1558967893   Available as a paperback and e-book.   
  • Dan McKanan, ed. A Documentary History of Unitarian Universalism: From 1900 to Present – Volume Two (Boston: Skinner House Press, 2017) ISBN 1558967915  Available as a paperback and e-book.   
  • Mark D. Morrison-Reed, Darkening the Doorways: Black Trailblazers and Missed Opportunities in Unitarian Universalism (Boston: Skinner House Press, 2011) Available as a paperback and e-book.    
  • Cynthia Grant Tucker. Prophetic Sisterhood: Liberal Women Ministers of the Frontier, 1880-1930 (Indianapolis: Indiana Universality Press, 1994) ISBN 025320822X Available as a paperback.   
  • Holley Ulbrich. The Fellowship Movement: A Growth Strategy and Its Legacy (Boston: Skinner House Press, 2007)   Purchase the paperback directly through the InSpirit UU Book Shop for an affordable price. 

Hebrew Bible [Beverly

No intensive,
Zoom meetings 6–8pm
Tuesdays

  • Berlin, Adele, and Marc Zvi Brettler, eds. The Jewish Study Bible. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014. ISBN: 9780199978465.  
  • Collins, John J. A Short Introduction to the Hebrew Bible and Deutero-Canonical Books. 3rd ed. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2018. ISBN: 9781506445991 (paperback) or 9781506446066 (ebook).
  •  

DMin required courses

Doctor of Ministry students have a required on-campus retreat Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24

Methods of Leadership and Ministry [Lassiter]

Zoom meetings 6–8pm
Tuesdays, every other week

  •  Graham, Elaine, Heather Walton, and Frances Ward. Theological Reflection: Methods, 2nd edition (London: SCM), 2019.
  • Han, Hahrie. UNDIVIDED: The Quest for Racial Solidarity in an American Church (New York: Knopf), 2024.

Research Methods and Ethics [House]

Zoom meetings 6–8pm
Tuesdays, every other week

  • Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, Joseph Bizup, and William T. Fitzgerald. The Craft of Research. 5th Ed. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2024. 
  • Creswell, John W., and J. David Creswell. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 6th Ed. Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2023.
  • González-Justiniano, Yara. Centering Hope as a Sustainable Decolonial Practice: Esperanza En Práctica. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2022.
  • Lareau, Annette. Listening to People: A Practical Guide to Interviewing, Participant Observation, Data Analysis, and Writing It All Up. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2021.
  • Lincoln, Timothy D. Qualitative Research: A Field Manual for Ministry Students. Chicago: Atla Open Press, 2021.https://books.atla.com/atlapress/catalog/book/24. This is an open source textbook at the previous url. 
  • Osmer, Richard R. Practical Theology: An Introduction. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008.
  • Ward, Pete, and Knut Tveitereid. The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Theology and Qualitative Research. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell, 2022. 

Spirituality for Social Change [Mosby]

Zoom meetings 6–8pm
Tuesdays, every other week

  • Brown, Lerita Coleman, What Makes You Come Alive: A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman. Broadleaf Books, 2023. ISBN-10:1506474659  
  • Curtice, Kaitlin B. Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day. Brazos Press, 2023. ISBN-10: 1587435713
  • Holmes, Barbara A. Walking with Our Ancestors: Contemplation and Activism. Fortress Press, 2024.  ISBN-10: 1506499236.  
  • Palmer, Parker. The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher’s Life, 10th Anniversary Edition. Jossey-Bass, 2007.  ISBN-10: 0787996866 
  • Preskill, Stephen and Stephen D. Brookfield. Learning as a Way of Leading: Lessons from the Struggle for Social Justice. Jossey-Bass, 2009.  ISBN-10: 0787978078  
  • Steensland, Brian, Jaime Kucinskas, and Anna Sun. Situating Spirituality: Context, Practice, and Power. Oxford University Press, 2022. ISBN-10: 0197565018  
  • Tran, Mai-Ahn Le. Reset the Heart: Unlearning Violence, Relearning Hope. Abingdon Press, 2017. ISBN-10: 9781501832468

Electives

Pilgrimage: Place, Power, and Meaning-Making [Kirk]

Zoom meetings 2–4pm
Mondays

  • Simon Coleman, Powers of Pilgrimage: Religion in a World of Movement. New York University Press, 2022 –  ISBN 1479811947
  • Elaine A. Peña, Performing Piety: Making Space Sacred with the Virgin of Guadalupe. University of California Press, 2011 – ISBN 978-0520948808
  • Ian Reader, Making Pilgrimages: Meaning and Practice in Shikoku. University of Hawai’i Press, 2005 – ISBN 9780824829070
  • Lee Gilmore, Theatre in a Crowded Fire: Ritual and Spirituality at Burning Man.   Melville House, 2019 – ISBN 0520260880
  • Additional readings posted on Populi.
  • This course will have an opportunity to participate in a pilgrimage after the semester ends for an additional cost to the Czech Republic.

Structural Grief and Political Theology [Hogue]

Zoom meetings 6–8pm
Thursdays

  • NOTES:
    • 1) This is an exploratory seminar. We will be in conversation with many different, seemingly unrelated sources. Where whole books are listed, we won’t necessarily read every word of them.
    • 2) The library will have print versions of all of the books below and ebooks for some of them. The asterisked titles are ones that I know will have ebook versions. There may be others as well.
    • 3) The course will also include additional chapters and articles that will be provided on the course reserve site through the library. Specifically, we will read selections in the areas of grief studies, affect theory, mysticism, philosophies of immanence, and racial capitalism—e.g., Augustine, Gilles Deleuze, William James, Lauren Berlant, Christine Sharpe, Achille Mbembe, Brian Massumi, Judith Butler, Simon Critchley, Cedric Robinson, Robert Solomon, and Donovan Shaefer.
  • Baker, J.A. The Peregrine (NYRB, 2004). ISBN: 978-1590171332
  • Fraser, Nancy. Cannibal Capitalism (Verso, 2023). ISBN: 978-1804292587
  • **Freud, Sigmund. Mourning and Melancholia Han. Byung-Chul. The Scent of Time (chs 1-5, 7, and 12). ISBN: 978-1509516056
  • **Hogue, Michael. American Immanence: Democracy for an Uncertain World (Columbia, 2018). ISBN: 978-0231172332.
  • Riley, Denise. Time Lived Without Its Flow (NYRB, 2020). ISBN: 978-1681373997
  • **Rose, Deborah Bird. Wild Dog Dreaming (University of Virginia, 2011). ISBN: 978-0813931074.
  • Solle, Dorothy. The Silent Cry: Mysticism and Resistance (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2001). 978-0800632663   
  • **Van Dooren, In the Wake of Crows (Columbia, 2019). ISBN: 978-0231182829
  • **Weber, Andreas. Enlivenment (MIT, 2019). ISBN: 978-0231182829
  • Weil, Simone. Gravity and Grace (Bison, 1997). ISBN: 978-0803298002

SUMMER TERM 2025
(June 2 – August 1, 2025)

Elective courses

Summer 2025 Course Schedule

US Latino/a/e Theology and Ethics:
Liberative Perspectives [Ortega]

Fully online, Zoom meetings
2–4pm
Thursdays

Chaplains at Work:
Navigating Organizations [Taylor]

Fully online, Zoom meetings
10am–1pm
Wednesdays 
(Prerequisite: Clinical Pastoral Education)

SPRING TERM 2025
(January 27 – May 9, 2025)

Signature courses

Spring 2025 Course Schedule

Vocational Studies 2:
Communities [Robert Smith]

Hybrid 9am–5pm Feb 3 & 4,
Zoom meetings 3–5pm
Thursdays

Vocational Studies 2:
Communities [Robert Smith]

Hybrid 9am–5pm Feb 3 & 4,
Zoom meetings 3–5pm
Thursdays

MDiv courses

Introduction to
Pastoral Ministry [Journey]

Hybrid 9am–5pm Feb 4, 
Zoom meetings 10am–Noon
Tuesdays 

Topics in Worship & Liturgy [Johnson]

Fully online, Zoom meetings
10am–Noon 
Thursdays

Global Religions [Dechant]

Hybrid 9am–5pm Feb 5,
Zoom meetings 2–4pm Wednesdays

Intro to Ethics [House]

Hybrid 9am–5pm Feb 5,
Zoom meetings 5–7pm Wednesdays

New Testament [Beverly]

Fully online, Zoom meetings 6–8pm
Tuesdays

History of Global Christianity [Kirk]

Hybrid 9am–5pm Feb 6,
Zoom meetings 10am–Noon
Wednesdays

Tools for Parish and Non-Profit Administration [Verdine-Jones]

Fully online, Zoom meetings
2–4pm
Mondays

DMin requirements

Social Change Leadership [House]

Fully online, Zoom meetings
6–8pm
Tuesdays (alternating weeks) 

Leadership & Ministry Research Colloquy [Kirk]

Fully online, Zoom meetings
6–8pm
Tuesdays (alternating weeks) 

Electives

Leadership & Ministry Research Colloquy [Kirk]

Fully online, Zoom meetings
6–8pm
Tuesdays (alternating weeks) 

Log in to Populi to register

Again, course offerings are subject to change for many unseeable reasons. Please double-check with the listing on Populi (when they are made available) before you finalize your course plan. If you have any questions about the course offerings and registration, please don’t hesitate to contact our Registrar, Elena Jimenez.

POPULI PORTAL

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