A More Excellent Way: The Gospel in an Age of Division

Lead and love with scriptural wisdom in divisive times.

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We live in a time of deep polarization.

“Culture warriors” are everywhere—including in our own congregations. (Perhaps, if we’re honest, we might even confess that this tendency exists in our own hearts?)

How do we resist the temptation to deepen division? How do we stand as faithful witnesses to the gospel, committed to truth and justice, without getting caught up in blind partisanship? How do we listen and love those with whom we have profound disagreements—and help members of our congregations do the same?

Led by the Rev. Dr. Joy J. Moore, "A More Excellent Way: The Gospel in an Age of Division," was created to help you navigate the challenges of leading through a time of deep cultural division with grace and scriptural wisdom.

From historical insights into how people of faith have approached social issues in the past to practices you can try today, each module is designed to help you and your community engage with the pressing issues of our times—race, justice, and polarization—with a spirit of love and understanding.

What You'll Learn

  • How the Gospel calls us to deep love and community—even when we disagree with our neighbors in important ways.
  • Faithful strategies for resisting “us vs. them” thinking and behavior.
  • How to examine the assumptions we hold that can supplant our commitment to God.
  • Practical ways to help your people listen and connect across differences.
  • Biblical insights into ways the people of God have dealt with difference—for good and for ill!
  • How to develop a God-centered curiosity that makes it easier to step into another’s point of view.
  • Why the Ten Commandments help us create communities of sanctuary—and how to live the commandments in bold but grace-filled ways.
  • The power—and challenge—of Jesus’ radical love.
  • What it looks like to take relational risks for the sake of the Gospel.

About this Course

  • Modules

10

  • Learning Elements

60

  • Videos

13

  • Practices & Activities

18

  • Time

8 hours, 30 minutes

  • Price

$55

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Here's What's Inside...

Get oriented to the course, meet your instructor, download the interactive handbook, and more.

In this module, you will:

  • Gain a vision for God's relational plan.
  • Engage with scripture to see how God's plan has been thwarted and affirmed.
  • Build your capacity for spiritual imagination.

In this module you will:

  • Consider the ways in which we have influenced into a flawed legacy.
  • Practice looking with new eyes.
  • Examine the assumptions and worldviews that can supplant God.

In this module you will:

  • Learn how generosity is essential to bridging divides.
  • Consider the example of Jesus entering into someone's world.
  • Cultivate your own generous listening skills.

In this module you will>:

  • Learn a framework for looking at the world differently.
  • Develop a God-centered curiosity.
  • Practice your curiosity and framework in the community.

In this module you will:

  • Consider how the Ten Commandments create a "sanctuary."
  • Reflect on how your background impacts your love of neighbor.
  • Practice identifying and creating a sanctuary where you live, work, or worship.

In this module you will:

  • Learn approaches and examples of radical love.
  • Take time to rest in the radical love of Jesus.
  • Consider how you can radically love your community.

In this module you will:

  • Learn how the early church practiced radical love.
  • Consider examples from the church today.
  • Imagine how radical love could be enacted in your church or community.

Find out your next steps as you complete the course. You'll also be encouraged to submit feedback about your course.

You'll Learn How to Love Your Neighbor
A close-up image of several hands holding puzzle pieces, comparing them in an attempt to connect them together.

In an increasingly divided world, resisting the temptation to view others with hostility can be difficult. Yet the Gospel calls us to radical love not just of those we consider friends, but also strangers—and even enemies. This course will help you and the Christian communities you serve have deep, bold, and loving conversations across differences, practice biblical justice, and be ministers of reconciliation in an age of division.

What to Expect

  • Ten modules, 60 learning elements, 13 videos, and 18 practices and activities.
  • Lifetime access to the on-demand course.
  • A full-color PDF handbook to supplement your learning.
  • A FREE account inside the Faith+Lead Learning Lab, where you can connect with other learners and leaders

Ready to Enroll?

Enroll in this one on-demand course today or unlock free access to this and all on-demand courses plus more with Faith+Lead Membership →

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Access to an online supportive community

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Access to 20+ on-demand courses

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Access to all workshops and their recordings

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Access to member-only live Q&A monthly interviews

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Access to monthly group coaching

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Looking for just in-time training resources?

Use this on-demand course as a complementary ready-made resource for small groups, Bible studies, discipleship growth, and equipping lay leaders in your specific ministry setting.

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Meet Your Instructor

  • Joy Moore

    Dr. Joy Jittaun Moore, an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and Professor of Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, serves as a Visiting Professor of Religion and Chapman-Benson Lecturer at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. Before coming to Luther Seminary, she established the William E. Pannell Center for African American Church Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA; served as Associate Dean for Lifelong Learning at Duke Divinity School; director of Student Life at Asbury Theological Seminary; and chaplain and director of Church Relations at Adrian College. She has held pastorates in the Michigan Area of the United Methodist Church and written for Sojourners magazine, Christian Century, Good News magazine, and Working Preacher. She can be heard weekly on the Sermon Brainwave podcast. Joy grew up in the American Midwest on Chicago’s southside attending Commonwealth Community Church, where she was spiritually formed and experienced a call to Christian Ministry. Professor Moore was president of the Wesleyan Theological Society from 2020-2022 and an avid fan of books by David Baldacci and John Hart. When not teaching, she enjoys traveling, watching episodes of NCIS, and reading.

Connect as you learn

Connect inside the Faith+Lead Learning Lab

Learning happens best when you do it together with folks who are on the same journey as you are.

That's why our private social network, the Faith+Lead Learning Lab, hosts conversations about course content with other learners, instructors, TAs, and community leaders.

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Study together with a small group or congregation

Want to bring A More Excellent Way: The Gospel in an Age of Division to your Bible study, small group, or even your entire congregation?

Choose "Enroll a Group" at checkout and select how many people you'd like to provide access to the course. You can go through the course together in-person, watch lessons together via Zoom, or even create a private group in the Learning Lab where participants can connect asynchronously.

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Upcoming Leadership Training Series

  

Apply the insights of Brené Brown’s work to your faithful leadership.

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Upcoming Lay Leader Training Cohort

  

The School for Lay Ministry is Back! Reserve your spot today.

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Upcoming Preaching Workshop

  

Address controversial topics from the pulpit with wisdom, humor, and grace.

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