EMS offers new online communication course

“Pastors will learn how to use communication to shape organizational culture and more effectively collaborate with other organizations in the community to communicate the message of the church.”



HARRISONBURG, Va

“We are most like God because of our ability to communicate,”said Julie Gochenour, instructor of a newly-developed online course in communication offered by Eastern Mennonite Seminary.

“Christ in a Communication Culture: Communicating in Today’s Global, Digital, Relational World” will be taught online the spring semester, which begins Jan. 10, 2011.

“A cultural gap exists between those inside and those outside the church,” Gochenour said. “This course will give those inside the church a window for communicating with those outside.

“Students will learn communication skills and theory from a faith perspective,” said Gochenour. “Good communication is about risk, love and authenticity. Students will learn how use these skills, professionally, appropriately and faithfully.

“Pastors will learn how to use communication to shape organizational culture and more effectively collaborate with other organizations in the community to communicate the message of the church,” she added.

Gochenour is a 2004 EMS graduate. She is writing an interdisciplinary dissertation in the areas of communication and religion at Union Institute and University, an adult distance learning center offering nontraditional degree programs based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

She is an adjunct instructor in communication and religion at EMU and James Madison University. She is a partner in Oakleaf Communications, a consulting firm specializing in communication services and new media use for non-profit and faith-based organizations, and has served on the editorial council of the Anabaptist publisher, Cascadia Publishing, for a decade.

To learn more about distance learning through Eastern Mennonite Seminary, or to register for “Christ in a Communication Culture” call the seminary admissions office at 540-432-4257 or email semadmiss@emu.edu



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