Episcopal Diocese of Albany – Spiritual Formation and Education
Register here: How the Church Changes its Mind
The Episcopal Diocese of Albany School of Spiritual Formation & Education is pleased to offer “How the Church Changes its Mind” a study of the interaction of the church, the culture, and the Bible.
This six-session course considers the principles by which the church and its culture have coexisted over the centuries, each influencing the other for good or ill, and how this has guided the church in its interpretation of the scriptures especially surrounding culturally controversial issues. The study begins with an introduction which describes these principles and reminds us of the reality that the existence of a Gentile Church itself involves a culturally influenced reinterpretation of scripture. It then continues with three historic case studies. First, an examination of how the ancient church helped change the culture’s mind against slavery, how after centuries the culture changed the church’s mind to be in favor of it, and then finally how the church was involved in changing the culture’s mind back against it. All this was done while reading many of the same scriptures. Briefly look at how the church has changed and is changing its mind about women in ministry in much the same way follows. The final two sessions focus on the current “battles” over whether the church should change its mind on its understanding of LGBTQ+ issues and the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in its life. These sessions spend a lot of time examining scripture passages that are often used to insist the church should not change its mind and go one to consider how they might be heard, read, marked, learned and inwardly digested differently given the church’s previous changes of mind.
The Rev’d Dr. William Lytle developed this course and has taught it on previous occasions at the parochial level. Fr. Lytle holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Nashotah House Theological Seminary and a master’s degree in Christian history and theology from the former Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry. He also holds advanced degrees in music and education and worked as a teacher of Pre-K to college level students before entering the ministry. Currently rector of Christ Church Episcopal in the City of Hudson, New York, Fr. Lytle also serves as co-chair of the Sanctuary Diocese Task Force, and as a Beaver Cross Camp Chaplain.
Fr. Lytle will the course in person at St. Paul’s, Albany on Mondays at 10:30am beginning April 13. Participants may also join via Zoom at the link provided after registration.
