The Bartimaeus Institute is a mid-winter study opportunity in the beautiful coastal hills of the Ventura River watershed in southern California.  Our 3-5 day intensive explorations of scripture and social justice, facilitated by Ched Myers, Elaine Enns and friends, are held in the village of Oak View in the Ojai Valley. 

We study selections from the Lectionary as they relate to a particular theme of social justice.  Limited scholarships are available (participants under 30 years old qualify for a discount).  Space is limited to 30 per Institute.  CEU and academic credit are available by request.  For more information on pricing and registration email inquiries@bcm-net.org or call 323-449-5170.

  Transportation Guide to Bartimaeus Institute

The Bartimaeus

Institutes  2012

Monday – Friday, February 20-24

 “Reading Mark ‘Politically’: A Socio-literary Approach to the Gospel.” 

Led by Ched Myers.  An intensive training in exegeting & expositing Mark in Year B, at the intersection of the seminary, the sanctuary and the street.  For preachers, teachers, and activists.  To pay online for this Institute, go here.  To pay by check or money order, download registration form (prices are listed).

February Institute Information

Registration Form February 2012.doc

Note: Payment for Institutes must be by check or money order in U.S. funds only!

 Sunday, July 1 - Friday, July 6

 “Rooting Faith:  Theology and

Practices of Bioregional

Discipleship.” 

Led by Chris Grataski, Melissa Shank, Elaine Enns and Ched Myers.   Our inaugural Bartimaeus summer work & study camp.  Mornings will offer scripture and permaculture theory; afternoons will involve hands-on projects in bio-intensive gardening, native reinhabitation and green living.  An alternative July 4^th of camping, conscientization and Christian community!

 Friday – Monday, November 9-12

“Restorative Justice as Truth and

Reconciliation Work.”  

Led by Elaine Enns and Ched Myers.  This weekend Institute will focus on how restorative justice tries to heal historic injustices. We’ll focus on three current North American experiments: the Greensboro Truth and Community Reconciliation Project; the Return to the Earth Project; and the national Canadian TRC addressing the Indian Residential Schools legacy.  (For relevant background see our Ambassadors of Reconciliation books).

Past Institutes:

Feb 2011 Report: Watershed Seminary

Jan 2011 Report:  The Sermon on the Mount from Anarchist, Anabaptist and Antiracist Perspectives  

Jan 2010 Report: “Ambassadors of Reconciliation”: A Theology and Diverse Christian Practices of Restorative Justice and Peacemaking.

Feb 2009 Report:  Transgressing Social Boundaries of Race, Class & Gender (Mark 4-8)

Jan 2009 Report:  Jesus as a Practitioner of Nonviolent Action (Mark 1-3)

 Feb 2008: Jesus as a Teacher of Restorative Justice in Matthew

Jan 2008: Matthew’s Gospel between Seminary, Sanctuary & Streets

Jan 2007: Luke’s Gospel and Sabbath Economics