Courses

All Black Mountain School courses involve students in our Theological Action Research approach to education–connecting the learning to continued collaborative action in and with communities. We offer unique courses for clergy, church and community leaders, congregants, social activists, and community organizers intentionally crafted to engage critical questions and issues facing our communities and their leaders. Students can take individual courses or enroll in a suite of courses building toward Black Mountain School certification.

Current Course Offerings



Summer Leadership Academy

Course Description

The Black Mountain School will be conducting TWO leadership academies this summer (2024) developed to train congregational and community leaders in practices of Qualitative Leadership. Qualitative Leadership is our unique approach to leadership that provides training in community organizing practices and qualitative research skills for engaging collaborative efforts of theological action research. It is highly relational and deeply collaborative. It is also aimed to make deep and lasting change. Participants will learn practical skills for weaving a stronger relational fabric and for understanding how to work in and with their community to make substantial change through building collaborative action.

The BMS Summer Leadership Academy will be offered at two sites in summer 2024:

  • Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (Dated TBD)

  • Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte Campus (Dates TBD)

Registration will open once details are finalized! Be on the lookout for updates.

The Black Mountain School of Theology & Community
Associate Certificate

  • 6-Course Theological Action Research program designed to equip leaders and activists with competency in critical issues, theological understanding, organizing and qualitative research skills, and justice practice.

  • Cost: $9,000 ($1,500/ course)  Registered associates and alumni benefits include: Free access to all BMS Incubators; 2 Free Elective Courses; Reduced Continuing Education Costs ($500/course); and Privileged Status for their congregation/community in BMS Cohorts. 

  • Special Associate network events and collaborative projects by BMS

The Suite of Courses
1a. Identities & Intersectional Leadership
or
1b. Identities & Intersectional Organizing

2. A Critical & Ethical Theology

3. History, Structures, and Re-Writing Salvation

4. Decolonizing Research
4a – Knowledge, Research, & Power in Emancipatory Research
or
4b – Methods and Tools of Emancipatory Research

5. Contemplative Spirituality and Collective Action

6. Dialogue, Conflict, and Communitarian Hermeneutics

INTERSECTIONAL LEADERSHIP CLASS SUMMER 2022

To be a thriving, creative educational institution that counters systems of oppression and alienation through practices of co-learning and co-action to advance the pursuit of higher goods, the formation of durable communities, and the generation of faithful, structural change.

— The Black Mountain School of Theology & Community