view a list of current and upcoming online learning opportunities

People in the 21st century have a renewed interest in how to relate the faith they profess to the lives that they lead. They are asking, "How does my faith connect to my life?" They want to be better equipped at work and at home, in their communities and in their congregations to:

• Make difficult decisions in their personal lives.
• Deal with dilemmas regarding daily life issues in various arenas, from local to global.
• Respond to the needs of loved ones and others God leads them to care about.

The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia offers Online Theological Education for Laity as one key part of its Faith and Life Institute initiative in order to better equip laity (all the baptized people of God) for their ministry in the world and in their church. These online opportunities are for enrichment and growth and are not for credit. They have limited prerequisites. It is an easy way to both begin and continue your theological and biblical exploration.

Online Theological Education for Laity is an opportunity to study where you live, work and worship. Many people do not live within easy driving distance to the seminary for on-campus events! (Our online students hail from places as distant as Texas, Wisconsin and California as well as Pennsylvania!) This approach enables you to log on wherever you are and as often as you wish during the two months a course is online. You learn through structured reading and responding to others online. Dialogue with the instructor and with other students is a key component. You can meet people online that you could never study with otherwise and explore the thoughts and concerns of believers in dramatically different contexts!

Online Theological Education for Laity also provides congregations and synods with a structured resource that can be used for equipping congregational leaders as well. Pastors and students alike have told us that studying our courses has made growing leaders better-prepared to serve their congregations as members of congregation councils, Sunday school, Confirmation and Adult Forum teachers, as worship assistants, committee chairs and lay visitors, and as youth ministry leaders.

Online Theological Education for Laity

What is it?

• An opportunity for persons to study theology online.
• An opportunity for congregations to equip laity theologically.

Who is it for?

• Laity (laos) -- all baptized people of God.
• Laity who have limited time, but wish to learn more about Bible, theology, worship, teaching, etc.

What are the prerequisites?

• No academic prerequisites, since this is a non-credit program.
• Persons should have some computer skills, email, and access to the worldwide web.

How much is the tuition?

• Congregations are urged to share in the tuition/expenses.
• Tuition is $130 for each course. (Please note: Students may need to purchase required resources for a course.)

What are the steps after I have spoken to my pastor?

Step # 1 -- Registration

1. Registration must be done during the 6 weeks prior to when the course is online.
2. The registration form may be found on the LTSP website (www.Ltsp.edu) under the menu heading Theological Education for Laity.
3. Complete and submit the online form.
4. You have two ways to pay your tuition. You may pay online via your credit card, or you may send your check ($130 payable to LTSP) to:

Faith and Life Study Institute 
The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
7301 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia PA 19119

5. Registration will be limited to the first 20 persons whose registration forms are filed and whose payment is received.
6. If an emergency arises, the tuition may be refunded up until the date the course begins.
7. Minimum class number is 10.

Step # 2 -- Set Aside Study Time

1. You will be able to sign in as often as you wish during the two months that the course is online. Expect to spend at least two hours online each week. Additional time will be needed for the reading assignments.
2. The course is equivalent to six "real time" sessions