Education
A.B. Central College, M. Div. Western Theological Seminary, Th.M. Princeton Theological Seminary, Ph.D. Michigan State University
george.brown@westernsem.edu

Courses
CM103 Seminar in Congregational Studies
CM121 Church Governance and Denominational Standards
CM122 Empowering Christian Education
CM123 Seminar on Teaching and Learning
CM450 RCA Polity
CM531 Curriculum Evaluation and Design
CM532 Equipping for Teaching and Leadership
CM534 Educating for Transformation
CM582 Developing Education Programs in the Local Church
CM621 Christian Education of Adults
CM690 History of the Theory and Praxis of Christian Formation

For many people, Christian religious education is about Sunday school, classrooms, and children. However, the formation of Christians takes place in many ways, outside of classrooms, and involves all ages in learning. Adults, youth, and children grow as disciples and are equipped to participate in God's purposes for humanity and creation through worship, fellowship, service, and study. I am committed to preparing leaders for the church's teaching ministry who will be concerned about personal and social transformation, the empowerment of persons for mission, and the faithful transmission of the Christian tradition

Background
As an ordained minister of Word and sacrament in the Reformed Church in America (RCA), George Brown spent nearly twenty years in parish ministry before joining Western's faculty. Whether serving as pastor of a small membership church, minister of Christian education on the staff of a larger congregation, or seminary professor, Christian religious education has always been at the heart of his ministry. He has played an active role in denominational and ecumenical curriculum development, helped shape the RCA's Associates in Ministry certification program, led workshops and spoken at Christian educator conferences, and written numerous articles on Christian education for a variety of publications. In 1996, he was named RCA Christian Educator of the Year. Dr. Brown currently serves on the RCA's General Synod Commission on Christian Education and Discipleship and is a member of the Association of Professors and Researchers in Religious Education.

At Western Dr. Brown serves as Associate Dean and Director of the in-residence M.Div. degree program. He teaches courses in Christian education, congregational studies, and church government.