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C.S. Lewis Institutes develops disciples who live their faith
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
The path to positive societal change begins with individuals willing to commit themselves to put their faith into action in all aspects of their lives.
The C.S. Lewis Institute Northeast Ohio offers programs for clergy and lay people to help people of faith achieve that goal and by doing so, improve conditions in society.
The institute’s purpose is “to develop disciples who will articulate, defend and live their faith in personal and public life.”
Bruce Beard is area director of the C.S. Lewis Institute Northeast Ohio, and Dan Osborn is city director.
Too often there is a “disconnection” in leaders from the national to local levels who may be people of faith, Beard said, but don’t apply those principles in their work and lives. “They click off their faith when they need to bear witness,” he said.
Osborn and Beard said the institute, which was established Aug. 1, 2013, in the city, offers various programs.
The Fellows Program is the flagship course of the institute and is one- or two-year process of study, prayer, spiritual mentoring, lectures and group interaction. The group meets monthly. “This is a means to an end, changing the heart,” Beard said.
Osborn said the overall focus is on discipleship of the heart and mind. “The moral foundation for America is in God,” Osborn said. “This revives the idea of being a disciple and following Christ’s example,” he said about the institute.
Twenty-two people participated in the first Fellows Program, and almost 40, mostly lay people, are enrolled in the second, now under way.
Another component of the institute is sponsorship of community lectures. Dr. Thomas Jay Oord, professor at Northwestern Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, will speak Friday in the Valley.
“We get the best-qualified lecturers on religious topics,” Osborn said.
Pastors Fellowship ministers to clergy. Osborn said a recent “equipping seminar” for pastors was attended by 70 people from throughout Northeast Ohio. These events are aimed at refreshing clergy with a spiritual message along with discipleship and leadership training. Osborn said these events focus on helping clergy achieve and maintain effective and inspirational ministries.
Beard emphasized that the institute “works for the church but we’re not a church. We want to help clergy become more effective in their own discipleship so that they can help others.”
The directors said the institute targets “young professionals in the marketplace” who would be interested in the programs “to develop a systematic approach and sharpen the mind.”
Beard and Osborn said as community leaders and clergy are transformed, they will “truly live as disciples” and change society in positive ways.