The "slow food" and "slow money" movements have worked to recover more holistic and relational approaches to important life practices.  Since 2007 our Institutes have sought to do the same for discipleship education in a world of impersonal conferences and insular tertiary institutions (see list below of past themes).  The Bartimaeus Institute provides an opportunity for interactive and in-depth study of scripture and social justice in the central coast village of Oak View, CA with Ched Myers, Elaine Enns and friends.  Building capacity for both proclamation and practice, we study lectionary readings as they relate to particular themes of social justice.  Academic credit and limited scholarships are available; space is limited. Come be a part of a village of learning and engagement.

Save the date for the next Bartimaeus Institute!  

"Coming into the Watershed:  Permaculture, Ecoliteracy, and Bioregional Discipleship."  With Ched Myers, Elaine Enns and Chris Grataski.  
Friday, Oct 11 – Monday, Oct 14, 2013

More information here.  

Past Institute Themes

Feb 18-22, 2013: “There was a rich man who...” The Occupy Critique, Sabbath Economics and Luke 12-19.  This five day mid-winter Institute scripture intensive led by Ched Myers explored a theological response to the Occupy Movement, and conversation with Cornell West and Tavis Smiley's recent manifesto on wealth and poverty, The Rich and the Rest of Us (2012).  We examined selected texts from Luke's "special section," looking at how the third gospel uniquely articulates the problem of social and economic disparity, how Jesus envisions the church as a new society in the shell of the old, and how these texts challenge First World Christians to practice Sabbath Economics.   

July 1-6, 2012: “Rooting Faith:  Theology and Practices of Bioregional Discipleship.”  This inaugural Bartimaeus summer work & study camp was led by permaculturists Chris Grataski and Melissa Shank, artist Dmitri Kadiev, and hosts Elaine Enns and Ched Myers.  Mornings featured scripture and permaculture theory and afternoons involved hands-on projects in bio-intensive gardening, native reinhabitation, green living and mural art.  It was a great alternative July 4th experience of conscientization and Christian community!  (See the Report)

Feb 2012: “Reading Mark ‘Politically’:  A Socio-Literary Approach to the Gospel.” See the Report. 

Feb 2011:  "Watershed Seminary II:  Healing Rivers."  Where Hydrology meets Theology and Bible meets Bioregion.  See the Report.

Jan, 2011: “The Sermon on the Mount and Active Nonviolence: Three Traditions of Faith and Practice.” A Conversation about Matt. 5-7 and Anabaptist, Anarchist and Antiracist Expressions of Discipleship.  See the Report.

Feb, 2010: Ecojustice, Sabbath Economics and Luke’s Gospel.   See the Report.

Jan 2010: “Ambassadors of Reconciliation”: A Theology and Diverse Christian Practices of Restorative Justice and Peacemaking.  See the Report.

Feb 2009: Transgressing Social Boundaries of Race, Class & Gender (Mark 4-8).  See the Report.

Jan 2009: Jesus as a Practitioner of Nonviolent Action (Mark 1-3). See the Report.

Feb 2008: Jesus as a Teacher of Restorative Justice in Matthew

Jan 2008: Matthew’s Gospel between Seminary, Sanctuary & Streets

Jan 2007: Luke’s Gospel and Sabbath Economics (Luke 3-12)