LTSS Explore Courses invite alumni and church leaders back to the classroom

For alumni of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) and other church leaders, the classroom experience remains one of the most formative parts of ministry preparation. This fall, Explore Courses will give alumni and church leaders an opportunity to return to that experience—this time without grades or exams.

Taught by LTSS faculty, the Explore Courses invite participants to continue their engagement with scholarship, learn alongside a new generation of seminarians and earn documented continuing education credit. With flexible options for in-person or livestreamed participation, participants may attend as many class sessions as they choose, up to 15 hours per course. Explore Courses are offered each semester, with past topics ranging from Readings in Luther and Violence in Scripture to Readings in Flannery O’Connor and The Land and the Church.

Fall 2025 Explore Course offerings

• MIN 681 – Lutheran Polity | Justin Nickel, Ph.D.
  Strengthen skills in vision and mission development, finances, council and committee organization, staff and volunteer motivation, job descriptions and evaluations, record keeping and administration.
  When: Thursdays, 2–2:50 p.m., starting Aug. 28
  Contact: justin.nickel@lr.edu

   

• MIN 504 – Spiritual Practices | Melanie Dobson, Th.D.
  Engage in a holistic study of the Christian life. Practice spiritual disciplines in small group settings and prepare to lead and teach these practices in ministry contexts.
  When: Wednesdays, 2–2:50 p.m., starting Aug. 27
  Contact: melanie.dobson@lr.edu

   

• THL 681 – Experiencing Monastic Spirituality, Liturgy and Life | Melanie Dobson, Th.D.
  Explore the history, tradition and practice of Christian monasticism and participate in an embodied experience through a silent retreat on Oct. 5 at the Catholic Conference Center in Hickory, North Carolina. This in-person course incurs additional lodging and food costs for the retreat.
  Contact: melanie.dobson@lr.edu

“One of the joys of Explore Courses is seeing alumni and church leaders back in the classroom,” said Brent Driggers, Ph.D., associate dean for academic programs at LTSS. “These courses create space not only to earn continuing education credits, but also to reengage with the rhythms of study, conversation and scholarship that are so central to the life of LTSS.”

For more information or to begin the registration process visit the Explore Courses webpage.