Renovaré Online Course

Luminous Lives: Twelve Shining Souls Shaped by God

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Examples matter.

It seems every day we learn about another public Christian figure embroiled in scandal, leaving behind wounded victims and a host of people disillusioned with the Christian faith.

“That’s why our hope is in Jesus and not people,” we may say. And this is true. But it also helps to observe those who show by example what it means to follow Jesus and finish well. As Paul encouraged, “follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.”

Who are the people who have shown you that transformation in Christ is possible?

For Dr. Miriam Dixon (Mimi), the list includes C.S. Lewis, Lilias Trotter, Dallas Willard, Teresa of Àvila, and a host of others who illuminated her understanding of what is possible in our life with God.

In this online video course, Mimi will introduce you to twelve exemplars of Christian faith who deeply influenced her life and almost four decades of pastoral ministry.

What’s In This Course and Who It’s For

Luminous Lives contains twelve 10 – 15 minute lessons (plus an introduction and conclusion) and a printable course guide (PDF) that includes reflection questions and resources for going deeper.

It’s for anyone who wants to go deeper with God by exploring exemplars who show us what it means to live a God-shaped life.

The course is self-paced and can be accessed anytime. Take it individually, or use it with a church or small group — something Mimi had in mind as she designed and taught this course.

Course Outline

Intro
C.S. Lewis
Jean Pierre de Caussade
Basilea Schlink
Eugene Peterson
Larry Crabb
Paul King Jewett
Saint Teresa of Calcutta
Catherine de Hueck Doherty
Richard Foster
Teresa of Àvila
Lilias Trotter
Dallas Willard
Conclusion

A Note About Diversity

Mimi’s list of exemplars is not meant to be definitive nor exhaustive. It reflects those who most deeply shaped her within her particular context, many of whom she knew personally. In future courses, we will hear from a variety of diverse voices. Mimi’s hope is that this course will inspire participants to form their own, wonderfully diverse lists of exemplars.

Meet the Instructor

Miriam (Mimi) Dixon began her ministry in 1979 serving as an associate pastor at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Seattle, Washington. From April of 1985 to May of 2019 she served as senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Golden, Colorado. She earned both her MDiv and DMin degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary. Mimi is on the Renovaré Board of Directors and teaches for the Renovaré Institute. She is faculty for Next Frontiers, a ministry to pastors in transition, and actively promotes Christian Spiritual Formation, crediting Richard Foster and Dallas Willard for their influence in her life and ministry. Mimi has authored Worth Celebrating: a biography of Richard J Foster's Celebration of Discipline, available through Barclay Press.

What People Say About Renovaré Online Courses

“I enjoyed the progression of the course and the clarity and the humility of the teacher. It has opened my eyes to a better sense of the word ‘mystery.’”

“I deeply appreciate the learning. The presentation is simply expressed but with a depth which causes me to trust and appreciate our Lord on a wider level of my life.”

“It is wonderful to have access to such tremendous teaching without having to travel. Being able to work at my own pace and to listen to the talks several times before moving on is of tremendous help.”

“The questions and materials are well thought out and have the potential to go deep.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Renovaré?: Renovaré (Latin: to renew) is a Christian nonprofit that creates and curates spiritual formation resources and learning experiences to help people become more like Jesus. Learn more about Renovaré.
Is each online course a one-time fee or subscription? Will I have permanent access to the course?: Currently, courses are purchased for a one-time fee, giving you permanent access to it. If at any point we move toward a subscription model, you will retain the ability to access any course you purchase without additional cost.
Are online courses self-guided, or are they led by a facilitator?: Our online courses are video-based and self-guided. We are exploring the possibility of a facilitator-guided option for some online courses, in order to take them alongside a small cohort. If this is something you are interested in, let us know at [email protected].
Can I use this for my church or small group?: Yes! Please choose one of the group license options above. You will be sent a special invitation link that you can send to your group. The link allows each person to join the course and track progress.
If I buy a group license, will each person have access to the videos and pdfs?: Yes. You’ll receive a special link where each person in the group can create their own Renovaré Courses account to access all course content.
Is there online discussion?: Currently online discussion is not a part of online courses. Our course platform offers this feature but before enabling it we want to ensure that online discussion in this context will be truly helpful and not distracting. If this is something you are interested in, we’d love to hear how you’d use it. Drop us an email at [email protected].
I have another question...: We’re here to help. Email us at [email protected].