Workshop of the Holy Spirit: An Invitation to Theological Education - Paperback

by Doug Strong (Author), Jess Bielman (Author)

Workshop of the Holy Spirit invites students into the exciting adventure of theological education. Many aspects of modern theological education have their historic roots in the ideas of the Enlightenment. This foundation creates compartmentalized structures and frameworks that may not lead to the thriving of theological students. In contrast, Pietist leader P. J. Spener asserted in 1675 that theological schools should be "nurseries of the church" and "workshops of the Holy Spirit"--a formative environment that enhances intellectual, spiritual, and missional growth. Using the medieval workshop as a helpful metaphor for us today, and writing at the intersection of the student-faculty relationship, Strong and Bielman describe the components both in and out of the classroom that enhance fruitful ministry preparation. This book engages theological education in our changing religious context. It offers fresh questions for students, highlighting emerging, innovative, and alternative models of training for life in the Spirit. Each chapter contains relevant stories from theological education students, while including descriptions of the history of theological education.

Author Biography

Doug Strong is Paul T. Walls Professor of Wesleyan Studies and the History of Christianity at Seattle Pacific University. He was the founding dean of Seattle Pacific Seminary.



Jess Bielman is the Associate Director of Innovation with the Greater Northwest Area of the United Methodist Church. He was formerly a professor and campus pastor at Warner Pacific University in Portland, Oregon.