College of Christian Life

Many people today claim to be “spiritual but not religious.” They avoid dogmatism, shun institutionalism, practice a variety of spiritualities and draw from many wells. This year’s College of Christian Life will explore this topic from a variety of vantage points:

• Who are the Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNR)?
• Many Journeys, Many Practices
• Meeting and Serving SBNR Folk
• The Background of the SBNR Movement

SPEAKER: Dr. Linda Mercadante is professor of theology and the B. Robert Straker Chair at The Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MSTO). In addition to teaching Christian Doctrine at MTSO, she has examined theologically addiction and recovery comparing them to doctrines of sin and grace, reproductive loss and victimization. She is the 2012 recipient of the Henry Luce III Fellowship in Theology for her work on SBNR. Dr. Mercadante received her Ph.D. from Princeton University and is an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Visit Dr. Mercadante’s website at www.healthybeliefs.org.

WORSHIP LEADER: Rev. Rich Rubietta is a modern-day circuit rider and Conference Evangelist for The United Methodist Church. Appointed to Abounding Ministries, a 501(c)3, Rich and Jane Rubietta now crisscross the Midwest each week, introducing creative uses of music in worship, school assemblies, workshops, youth events and retreats.

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