What is the Congregational Institute?
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The Congregational Institute exists to supplement the education of congregational pastors and enrich lay people with Christian education at the master level. Classes can be taken for academic credit or for personal enrichment. A key component of the Congregational Institute includes weeklong time together learning in person with each other and from qualified instructors (June 2 - 6 2025). Fellowship time over meals and a field trip or two will round out the experience. Those who cannot attend in person may join via Zoom. The Conservative Congregational Christian Conference heartily endorses the Congregational Institute at Central Schwenkfelder Church of Lansdale, PA.
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The 2020 class on Systematic Theology was an amazing exercise in delving deep into our beautiful and wonderful “Bible”. It was a cherished time for listening and learning from the many scholars respected in their fields of expertise. A big thank you to Dr. Drake for taking the time to pull it all together. - Christine Smith
Who hosts the Congregational Institute?
The Congregational Institute is hosted at Central Schwenkfelder Church on 2111 S Valley Forge Rd, Lansdale, PA 19446. The Congregational Institute is directed by two of the pastors at Central Schwenkfelder Church:
Dr. Drake Williams
Dr. Williams is Minister of Mission and Theology at Central Schwenkfelder Church and Associate Professor of New Testament at Evangelische Theologische Faculteit in Leuven, Belgium.
Rev. Tim Dubeau
Rev. Tim Dubeau is the Mid-East regional pastor for the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, and he has served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years.
Dr. Robert Arner
Dr. Rob Arner is has been teaching theology, Christian ethics, and biblical studies at seminaries and universities in the Philadelphia region for over 15 years. As a teacher of the faith, he finds no greater joy than opening the riches of the gospel to people who are falling in love with Jesus.
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Dr. David McKinley
Dr. McKinley is Senior Minister at Central Schwenkfelder Church. He has received his D.Min. from Missio Seminary and a Th.M. from Westminister Theological Seminary.
Dr. Brad Mellon
The Rev. Dr. Brad F. Mellon has extensive experience in the field of ethics and biomedical ethics, derived from his time serving as a pastor as well as his time as his time as Director of Advancement and Pastoral Care at the Frederick Living lifecare community in Frederick, PA.
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The seminar on Systematic Theology at Central was a high quality seminary level course that was engaging, enlightening, and produced a solid understanding of essential Christian doctrine. It was an open academic environment where a layperson or seminary graduate could feel comfortable engaging with the material asking questions or sharing and the organizers did a great job facilitating fellowship. It's an understatement to say that I am better off for having attended. - Rev. Julian Scavetti