Call To Action Mini-course
Dimensions and Dynamics of Church Reform
February & March 2016
Course Convener
Ryan Hoffmann, MA
Call To Action
2135 W. Roscoe St. Chicago, IL 60618
Ph: 773.404.0004 ext. 285
Email: ryan@cta-usa.org
Course website: www.cta-usa.org/mini-course
Course Description
This 6 week mini-course will provide participants an overview of the main themes and considerations
involved in church reform today. It will include treatment of the historical, biblical/scriptural,
theological/ethical, ecclesial, and spiritual/pastoral dimensions of church justice. In addition to
theoretical constructs, the course will involve practical community organizing theory, resources, and
tools.
The course will convene each week on Tuesday’s from 7:00-8:30pm central for a live, online hour and
a half session using webinar technology. Weekly facilitators will spend time giving an overview of that
week’s topic, facilitate discussion, and review resources available to participants.
Outcomes & goals
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Participants will gain a better understanding of and appreciation for the historical,
biblical/scriptural, theological/ethical, ecclesial, and spiritual/pastoral dimensions which gave rise
to, and continue to sustain, church reform.
Participants will engage dialogical and consultative processes that inform and model today’s work
for church justice.
Participants will be able to identify and consult diverse resources aimed to assist in movement
building.
Participants will be able to integrate components of the mini-course into their work, ministry,
studies, advocacy, etc. as appropriate.
Participants will be able to network and share best practices with those in the church reform
movement nationally.
Participation
Participants will be expected to:
read and review material before Tuesday evening’s sessions,
attend the 6 live, online synchronous sessions,
participate in and contribute to course discussion, and
write a 5-6 page double-spaced paper reflecting on the course content and integrating it into one’s
personal life, ministry, work, etc.,
5. fill out and submit a course evaluation.
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Dates, topics, & facilitators
Week 1: February 9, 2016
Week 2: February 16
Week 3: February 23
Week 4: March 1
Week 5: March 8
Week 6: March 15
Week 7: March 22, 2016
Welcome & overview
Ryan Hoffmann
Reform Throughout the Ages
Aaron Bianco, STD
Jesus the Reformer
Emily Dykman, DMin
To Reform or Not To Reform:
MT Davila, PhD
Ethics & Theology
BREAK
Called to be Church:
Robert Ludwig, PhD
Called to Reform
Spirituality of Reform
Kimberly Lymore, DMin
Organizing for Justice
Melissa Browning, PhD
Wrap-up & evaluation
Ryan Hoffmann
Course Notes
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The course is $10/session (week) or $50 for the series of 6 sessions. In addition, we ask a
commitment to the material and openness to the learning process.
Readings for each week will be assigned. Participants will be expected to read material before
that week’s Tuesday evening session.
Each week the presenter will make available to participants an outline of their presentation notes
and at least 3-5 resources that can be used to supplement that week’s topic (e.g., for further
reading).
While the course is not credit bearing, we will issue a certificate of completion for those interested
in taking this for continuing education and/or professional/personal development.
No grades will be given. This is primarily for enrichment, renewal, and professional and personal
development.
Facilitator Biographies
Aaron Bianco, STD studied in Rome, earning a Doctorate of Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) with an
emphasis in Early Church Mothers and Fathers at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas (the
Angelicum). Aaron routinely leads study trips to Rome and is fluent in Italian. He is currently Call To
Action’s Program Associate where he works with the 20/30 young adult community, national
chapters, and the Church Worker justice program.
Emily Dykman, DMin completed a B.M. in Piano Performance from Viterbo University, a master’s
degree in pastoral ministry from St. Mary’s University, and completed a doctor of ministry degree in
congregational mission and leadership from Luther Seminary in May 2014. Her thesis focused on an
influence of scripture in assisting the laity in their recognition of vocation and participation in God’s
mission. In particular, she studied the influence of an action research intervention using dwelling in
the word in shifting the parish council’s ability to work collaboratively with the parish priest rather than
relying upon the priest for sole directives. She teaches courses in liturgy and worship, ritual,
sacraments, scripture, and servant leadership.
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MT Dávila, PhD is associate professor of Christian ethics at Andover Newton Theological School.
Her current focus is on the intersection of Christian discipleship and activism, specifically as it relates
to the practice of the option for the poor in the United States. She has written on immigration and
race, the ethics of the use of force, the use of the social sciences in ethical reflection, and ethics in
the public square. She lives in Malden, MA, with her husband and 4 children, where they attend St.
Joseph’s Parish.
Robert Ludwig, PhD is an experienced educator and scholar. He earned his MA and PhD in
theology from The Aquinas Institute of Theology (now at St. Louis University), and studied political
theology in Germany at Tubingen. His dissertation on theology and politics in America focused on
Jesuit peace activist Daniel Berrigan and the Catholic Peace Movement during the Vietnam War. His
award-winning book, “Reconstructing Catholicism for a New Generation” (Crossroad, 1995) includes
a penetrating exploration of the challenges facing humanity due to environmental degradation and
the insights of Thomas Berry and Teilhard de Chardin for reconstructing Christian spirituality for a
sustainable future. At Holy Names University, Dr. Ludwig oversees the revision of the programs in
Culture and Spirituality and the development of adult learning modalities to make the program more
accessible to adult learners.
Kimberly Lymore, DMin is the Associate Minister at the Faith Community of St. Sabina in Chicago,
IL, which is known for its dynamic worship and social activism, under the leadership of Rev. Michael
L. Pfleger. Kimberly has facilitated many workshops, classes and retreats in her 15-year ministerial
career including classes on Social Justice at Xavier University, in New Orleans, LA. Most recently she
became an adjunct instructor teaching Social Justice at Calumet College of St. Joseph, in Whiting, IN.
In 2003, Kimberly received her Master in Divinity with a concentration in Word and Worship from
Catholic Theological Union. In May of 2009 she received her Doctor of Ministry from McCormick
Theological Union. Kimberly also has an article in the publication, Emerging from the Vineyard:
Essays by Lay Ecclesial Ministers.
Melissa Browning, PhD received her Ph.D. in Christian Ethics from Loyola University Chicago
(2011). She also holds an M.Div. in Global Missions from George W. Truett Theological Seminary at
Baylor University (2002) and a B.A. in Religious Studies from Gardner-Webb University (1999). Dr.
Browning’s primary research focuses on community-based moral reasoning. Her first book looked at
the intersection of public theology and public health through research with women living with HIV and
AIDS in Mwanza, Tanzania. Dr. Browning is an ordained Baptist minister with the Cooperative Baptist
Fellowship and has experience working with faith-based non-profits, particularly in international
development, community development, and community organizing.
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