The Learning Ministries at Fountain Street Church are embodiments of our liberal religion mission: Free the Mind, Grow the Soul, Change the World. As such, we, the staff and Ministry Leaders, create learning environments in which people are challenged and invited to engage those propositions.
The benchmarks, or goals, of our Learning Ministries, are equally simple and compelling:
- Religious Literacy
- Spiritual Fluency & Engagement
- Moral Competence
Religious Literacy - Knowing that we live in a religiously and socially pluralistic and diverse world, we seek to equip ourselves with basic knowledge about the world's religious traditions. We seek to become "perfect strangers", gaining information about the stories, concepts, and practices that form and inform the lives of those engaged in religious living. Our hope is that this literacy will help us to live more fully and more intelligently in the world.
Spiritual Fluency & Engagement - Nurturing and nourishing spiritual life takes work and discipline. Cultivating Spiritual Fluency & Engagement is how we go about that discipline. Through investigating and experiencing spiritual practices each of us is challenged to discover our own spiritual typology and then to meaningfully engage the practices that help draw each of us closer to our highest, fully self. As Irenaeus said, "The Glory of God is man (sic) fully alive!"
Moral Competence - Knowledge and individual spiritual practice draw us into moral living. All of this learning is worthless if it resides only in our heads or our hearts. How do you live your life? Here at Fountain Street Church we strive to provide opportunities for folks to engage in meaningful service and to grapple with challenging issues of social injustice.
If you have questions about the education/Learning Ministries at Fountain Street Church, please contact our staff, Lydia Stubbs, Character School Director, at either (616) 459-8386 ext. 226 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Matthew Cockrum, Minister of Spiritual Life & Learning, at either (616) 459-8386 ext. 215 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . They will be happy to answer your questions and put you in touch with the Ministry Leaders in the areas of your interest.