About Us
Bible Study Seminars is…
1. a community of people in love with God and humanity, who celebrate how the bible illumines the startlingly honest, authentic, tender, accepting, powerful, intimate, faithful, and transformative relationship God wants each of us to feel with our Creator, redeemer, and Sustainer.
2. a safe place in which we can ask our most heartfelt questions about God and our own humanity while knowing that we are deeply and authentically embraced wherever we are in our journey to living more whole-hearted, more fully present in each moment – a no pretense, no guilt, and no fear approach to fellowship and spiritual growth that enables us to more consistently and deeply live in right relationship with other people and the whole of creation
3. a passionate encourager of powerful and transformative engagement with the God revealed in the bible that is constantly striving to reveal new models and fresh vision of the Divine design and intent, and through the Spirit is already pouring the blessings of this future into the present in ways that more fulfill the promises of the past.
4. a joyous witness to Jesus’ statement (John 5:39,40) that we search the Scriptures in vain if we don’t see that the bible is all about him, Christ, the inspired Word – and that our ability to fully feel the freedom that comes from knowing the Truth is connected to following Christ in a Jesus-patterned life and living in loving relationship with all his followers (John 8:31,32; 13:35).
5. a dynamic testimony to the power of the Word (Christ) in the bible and the sufficiency of its inspired character to fulfill Jesus’ mission statement: “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10)
In sum, we are a community, a safe place, a passionate encourager, a joyful witness, and a dynamic testimony for the greater realization of a rich and satisfying life.
BSS Mission
The mission of Bible Study Seminars is to explore God’s purpose in our lives through Bible study that follows Christ and calls forth
- deeper prayer,
- greater service,
- more fulfilling relationships,
- ever-renewing faith communities.
We seek to provide a bold, inclusive, creative, contemporary, and loving witness of biblically- grounded Christian discipleship and fellowship, through academically and professionally excellent conferences, seminars, curricula, and joyful celebratory experiences that support spiritual renewal and healing.
Bible Study Seminars pursues its mission through three Cs:
Conferences, Curriculum, and Celebrations
Conferences generally happen in the summer across the United States. For 34 years there has been one at the Asilomar conference grounds overlooking Monterey Bay in central California in the early summer. We are now intending to have a second conference in the late summer in the Midwest in even years, and in odd years we are planning to hold a late summer conference in the Eastern U.S.
Conferences tend to involve multiple speakers over two or more days. Regional seminars may also be offered and may include a single speaker and a program as short as a single evening. This gives us more flexibility in responding to the varied needs nationwide. In 2012 the Midwest conference will return to The Cedars Camps in Lebanon, MO, and in 2013 we are looking at splitting a conference at church sites in Baltimore and northern Virginia.
Curriculum for Bible Study Seminars means a series of workbooks entitled Foundation StonesTM, that continues to expand its offerings and its utility to individuals and groups across the country. We have published volumes written by our faculty on Proverbs, Mark, John, Acts 1-8, Acts 9-28, First John, an introduction to the Old and New Testament, and a guide on how to facilitate a small group Bible study. In 2012 we expect to roll out a volume on the Prophets. Others in the planning stages are Matthew, Luke, Amos, and the Apostle Paul.
We now have had contact with over 30 groups across the United States – meeting in homes as well as churches – that are using the curriculum. These non-denominational books can also help to build bridges between people of different understandings as to what it means to live a spiritual life…including between persons within the same church. Many people are also using these workbooks in their individual study of the Bible.
Celebrations are a new form of outreach and education designed to embrace the youthful, hopeful, and forward-looking heart within all of us. Our Celebrations also reflect a deep love for and desire to listen to the members of Generation X and Y – who have not always felt at home in pursuing their spiritual path in traditional religious communities.
These programs will feature contemporary music, next generation performers, and a strong witness of the relevancy of the Bible to contemporary life and issues. Concurrent with presentations for all attendees, there will be specific breakouts facilitating younger adults in their addressing of their needs and interests. In the winter of 2012, with funding from three foundations, there will be three Thrive Celebration Weekends at the following branch churches:
- Laguna Niguel, CA (Orange County) on January 13-14
- Third Church Dallas, TX on February 17-18
- Mercer Island, WA (Seattle area) March 30-31
