Micro-Courses

Trainings and Licensing

Embark on a transformative journey to become a Licensed Lay Eucharistic Minister and/or Lay Eucharistic Visitor in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas! This micro-course offered by the Office of Formation equips lay leaders with the knowledge and skills to serve your community with grace and confidence.

¡Emprende un camino transformador para convertirte en Ministro Eucarístico Laico y/o Visitador Eucarístico Laico con licencia en la Diócesis Episcopal de Texas! Este microcurso, ofrecido por la Oficina de Formación, prepara a los líderes laicos con el conocimiento y las habilidades necesarias para servir a su comunidad con gratitud, gracia, respeto, reverencia y confianza.

This course is a collaboration between the Iona Collaborative and the Office of Formation with in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, designed to equip you to confidently and reverently lead Morning Prayer occasionally in your congregation or community as needed.

Este curso es una colaboración entre el Iona Collaborative y la Oficina de Formación de la Diócesis Episcopal de Texas, diseñado para equiparlo(a) a liderar con confianza y reverencia la Oración Matutina de manera ocasional en su congregación o comunidad, según sea necesario.

Please note that this is not a course for a Worship Leader license. If you are leading more regularly and need to be licensed as a Worship Leader, you will need to first complete the year-long Worship Certificate through the Iona School for Ministry in the Diocese of Texas. Please contact the Iona School of Ministry for more information.

Por favor, tenga en cuenta que este no es un curso para obtener licencia como Líder de Adoración. Si usted lidera con mayor frecuencia y necesita ser licenciado(a) como Líder de Adoración, primero deberá completar el Certificado de Adoración de un año de duración a través de la Iona School for Ministry en la Diócesis de Texas. Para más información, contacte a la Iona School for Ministry.

Proclaiming the Word Micro-Certification: Delivering Approved Sermons with Impact

This Micro-Certification is for lay leaders in a congregation who need to preach approved sermons, which are written by clergy, during Sunday morning worship. Upon completion of this micro-course, you will receive a micro-certification from the Episcopal Diocese of Texas affirming that you are officially prepared for the “Proclamation of the Word.”

Please note that this is not a course for a Lay Preaching license. If you are interested in becoming licensed as a Lay Preacher, you will need to first complete the year-long Lay Preaching Certificate through the Iona School for Ministry in the Diocese of Texas. Please contact the Iona School of Ministry for more information.


Micro-Courses for Formation Leaders

TryTank Experimental Laboratory is a project of Virginia Theological Seminary, and they have developed these 12 short videos on the history and theology of the Episcopal Church. A great way to learn more. A great aid for Confirmation and other formation work in your church.

TryTank Laboratorio Experimental es un proyecto del Seminario Teológico de Virginia, y han desarrollado estos 12 breves videos sobre la historia y la teología de la Iglesia Episcopal. Una excelente manera de aprender más. Una gran ayuda para la Confirmación y otros trabajos de formación en tu iglesia.

Resources for Congregations

These micro-courses developed by the Iona Collaborative at the Seminary of the Southwest are for small congregations, but they are also for anyone who is looking for deeper insight into our Faith, Scriptures, or Anglican Tradition. From exploring ways to develop Vestry covenants to learning more about Anglican identity, these videos can be used by individuals, groups, or communities and are well-suited for retreat-style gatherings.

Equipping the People of God

These micro-courses developed by the Diocese of Washington are designed for equipping the people of God to grow and lead in faith. From Confirmation materials to leading small groups, there is plenty of material here in their online library of resources.

Deepening Faith

These micro-courses developed by Luther Seminary’s Faith+Lead project are designed for deepening faith and ministry skills through theological learning and formation. The videos and courses linked here offer a wide variety of topics from family systems to great theological themes of the Bible to emotional intelligence for ministry.

Lifelong Learning On-Demand at VTS

Lifelong Learning provides continuous opportunities for theological education in the service of faithful leadership. It is for the committed and the curious, lay and clergy eager to claim and explore their Christian vocations in today’s world. Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary is a multi-faceted department grounded in theology and research-based practices to provide transformational learning for courageous leadership in a changing church.

Have Mercy

The Gospel is political. But it is political in a particular way. Jesus announced a reign that had no military, maintained unclear borders, called for mercy and compassion as fundamental ways of living, and turned conventional values upside down. Watch the recorded interviews Virginia Theological Seminary professor Dr. Kyle Lambelet conducted with his colleagues as part of this October Lifelong Learning offering.

What is Formation?

The Church is changing and transforming. Models of Christian formation, discipleship, and evangelism that we have trusted for decades are all shifting. Change is difficult and oftentimes frightening, so the Diocese of Texas and the Diocese of West Texas have partnered together to offer some insights into “What is Formation?” In this very brief series, we hope you will explore dynamic approaches to formation like ‘seed casting’ and ‘deliberate discipleship’ to nurture vibrant faith communities as well as empower yourself to lead impactful ‘micro-formations’ and cultivate deeper spiritual lives for all.

Formation and the Art of Seed Casting

In this 10-video course, explore a deeper understanding of formation and discipleship that focuses on seed casting and micro-formations through the lens of the Parable of the Sower in Luke 8. As a formation leader, discover why your ministry is a work of art, and the formative work that you do is an artistic practice.

The Beatitude Path of Christian Maturity

Embark on a transformative journey through the Beatitudes, discovering the path to Christian maturity and discipleship. In this 8-video series, embrace Jesus’s Way of peace, explore a wisdom journey into the practice of the beatitudes, and commit to lifelong Christian formation.

Practicing Christianity

Explore practicing Christianity by taking up your cross and putting on the mind of Christ. Often, we do not really know what these phrases mean or how we can practice them. In this micro-course, journey with us as we dive deeper into tangible, practical ways to experience the Way of Jesus and become practitioners of Christianity.

The Gethsemane Teachings

Embark on a transformative journey into the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus and his disciples through the lens of the spiritual imagination. Explore the Garden as more than just part of Jesus’s narrative. Come to see it as a time of Jesus’s final teachings on discipleship as he re-emphasizes the practice of the Beatitude Path of Christian Maturity.

We Belong to Each Other

Pertenecemos los unos a los otros: Una comunidad de aprendizaje

Explore the principles of neighboring well and communication as a spiritual practice. Learn about deep and empathetic listening, the importance of compassionate communication, and fostering belonging within congregational life and in your larger community. Enhance your ability to communicate generously, guided by scripture and the Episcopal tradition.

Explora los principios de una buena vecindad y la comunicación como una práctica espiritual. Aprende sobre la escucha profunda y empática, la importancia de la comunicación compasiva y cómo fomentar el sentido de pertenencia dentro de la vida congregacional y en tu comunidad en general. Mejora tu capacidad de comunicarte con generosidad, guiado por las Escrituras y la tradición episcopal.

Deliberative Learning Communities

(videos en inglés y español)

Explore strategies to equip and empower formation leaders to facilitate difficult conversations. Learn methods to reduce polarization and engage in communication as a spiritual practice within the church community through public deliberation.

The Masks We Live In

Explore how the masks we wear impact our spiritual growth by using the Enneagram as a tool to deepen our Christian maturity and our commitment to the Beatitude Path of discipleship and formation.