Iliff Institute for Lay and Clergy Continuing Education
Founded in 1987, the Iliff Institute provides resources for life-long learning to church and community groups in the region. Offerings are designed for clergy and laity who seek to deepen their theological knowledge, to sharpen their understanding of social and ethical issues, and to enhance their practice of religious leadership. The Institute’s programs take into account ecumenical, interfaith, and cross-cultural perspectives.
Join us for the 2007 Iliff Leadership Conference
Program Design and Content
A variety of learning contexts are available through the Institute:
- On-campus lectures, seminars, and workshops
- Off-campus presentations to church and community groups by Iliff faculty and other qualified resource persons
- Summer continuing education classes at three sites (the Denver campus, Ghost Ranch in Santa Fe, and Ring Lake Ranch in Wyoming)
- Teleconferences (with other electronic educational possibilities being explored).
Program content includes the full range of academic theological disciplines (e.g., Bible, theology, history, and ethics) and studies in the practice of ministry (e.g., worship, preaching, administration, pastoral care, community analysis and outreach). Clergy, congregations, clusters of churches, and community groups are invited to propose learning experiences appropriate for their context and interests. The Institute staff is available to help "custom design" such opportunities. Costs for participants or sponsoring groups are determined on the basis of length of the event, honoraria for resource persons, and costs for food and facilities. The Institute assumes most administrative costs.
Continuing Education Credits
Continuing education credit units (CEUs) are offered for classes, workshops and seminars that have well-defined learning goals, student accountability, and specified contact-hour requirements. Some courses offered for academic credit also carry an option for CEU credit, including most summer courses on the Iliff campus and at Santa Fe and Ring Lake Ranch.
Special Programs
The Iliff Institute also serves as an outreach arm of the School of Theology. Special programs include:
- FaithTrek, a Lilly Endowment funded program for theological and vocational exploration for youth
- Hispanic Ministries initiatives
- Continuing education offerings for African-American churches and pastors, and
- Partnerships with denominational structures for the support of clergy and the strengthening of congregations
The Institute serves as host each summer for the "Local Pastor Licensing School of the Rockies," sponsored by the Rocky Mountain & Yellowstone Annual Conferences of the United Methodist Church, and for the School of Christian Mission conducted by the United Methodist Women of the Rocky Mountain Conference.
Contact Information
For more information on current offerings or to design a future program, contact the Iliff Institute Staff, Greta Gloven at 303-765-3109 or by email.
The Iliff Institute for Lay and Clergy Continuing Education
The Iliff School of Theology
2201 South University Boulevard
Denver, CO 80210
303-765-3134
Fax 303-777-0164
Lunch with a Professor Series
Meet others with a lively curiosity about contemporary theological, social and ethical issues for lunch and conversation.
Time: The third Thursdays of each month (except as noted) 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Place: Great Hall (unless otherwise noted), Iliff School of Theology
Parking: West Parking Lot with access from Iliff Avenue (3rd lot on the right from University Blvd.)
Cost: The cost for the entire summer series is $55 for all lectures and lunches from February-July. Lunch and lecture: $10, $5 lecture only; $5 students.
Reservations (one week in advance): 303-765-3134.
Iliff Leadership Conference
(Formerly known as The Iliff Week of Lectures)
This annual three-day conference, normally held the last week in January, features topics of interest addressed in public forums, lectures and workshops that offered CEU credit. Scholars and religious leaders from across the country and around the world offered in-depth exploration of current issues in theology, church, and society. Daily worship services featured distinguished homileticians from a variety of traditions.
