February 19-22 2024 will be BCM’s 28^th Institute, and our 18^th year curating these gatherings. After much discernment, we decided to return to our original BKI format of smaller, intensive study and conversation. The reason: BCM resources for both decolonizing discipleship and Sabbath Economics continue to reach new audiences, and to resonate with others doing similar work. But our BCM staff capacity can’t keep up. Interest in this work is outpacing our ability to respond, or even track!

   Our primary goal for this BKI, therefore, is to encourage and train for wider collaboration. So we invite those who have engaged this (or parallel) material and its commitments to dive deeper with us. This gathering is designed for those interested in facilitating and nurturing this work, in order to have constructive conversation about how to improve pedagogy and accompaniment. Thus, BKI2024 will differ from our offerings over the last decade in four important ways:

1. New venue. We are switching from Camp Forest Home to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in the heart of lovely downtown Ojai.
2. Limited registration. Space limitations require us to cap participation: Healing Haunted Histories at 12, and Luke & Sabbath Economics at 25. We don’t have any wiggle room here, so you’ll need to be on top of indicating interest and filling out forms!
3. Increased cost. Participants will need to find their own lodging, and cover five of their seven meals (we will host a welcome and closing dinner, and mid-morning and afternoon snacks each day). Registration fee is $650, but will be paid only by commuters. Mindful of increased costs, we are offering a discounted registration of $400 for those traveling from outside the area. Please research your lodging (Ojai hotels range from $600-800 for 4 nights, though there are lower cost options further from the venue; see accommodation guide). We will not likely be able to offer scholarship support, so encourage you to raise funds for your own participation if necessary. 
4. Two step registration process. Because we want to be strategic about this gathering, we have designed a simple two-step process:

i.    Discern which track in which you want to participate.

ii.    Go to the link for the online Registration of Interest (ROI) below and fill out the questionnaire ASAP.  Note: You cannot register without completing this step; the longer you wait, the higher the possibility that spots will fill up.

iii.   Because we anticipate more interest than we have spots for, we ask you to complete your ROI by Dec 23^rd, in order to hear back from us by Dec 27 whether space is available.

iv.   If so, Chris will send you a Final Registration and Payment form link. Please complete this form and pay ASAP. Note: Only payment secures your spot!

v.   If space is still available at the beginning of January, we will open another round for Registrations of Interest, with a likely deadline of mid-January.  

Thanks for your interest, please email Chris at inquiries@bcm-net.org if you have any questions. 

If you are new to the BKI, please ensure you read all the information and don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions: EMAIL US.

• REGISTRATION FEES: registration is US$650 per person. However, because of the high cost of travel and accommodation, we are applying a US$250 discount (so registration will be US$400 for all successful applicants who live outside Ventura County, CA). Payment and full registration information will be provided once you application has been approved.
• VENUE: We will be undertaking the BKI2024 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 409 Topa Topa Dr, Ojai, CA 93023 (Map) which is close to the town of Ojai and about 5 miles from Oak View, where recent BKIs have been held.  St Andrew's is in easy walking distance of a variety of restaurant options for dining, banks, grocery stores and other facilities.
  
• TRANSPORT: BCM will provide pick-up (Monday) and drop off (Friday AM) to Ventura AMTRAK and Airporter Shuttle

  For info on how to get to Ojai, view the BKI 2024 TRANSPORT GUIDE here.

• BCM will also provide daily transport to and from St Andrew's from your accommodation in Ojai or Oak View, if needed. You may also be able to carpool with other participants or walk, depending on where you are staying. BCM will not be able to provide daily transport to/from Ventura.

• ACCOMMODATION: For the BKI 2024 you will need to arrange your own accommodation. This guide has some suggestions, but we are sure that you can find many other options.  Accommodation Guide Please note:
  • Oak View is about a 5-10 minute drive from St Andrew's and Ventura is about 15-20 minutes drive.
  • Local hotel costs will range from $600 to $800 (or you can spend more), for four nights (including taxes and fees). Basic camping at Lake Casitas is $40 per night. You may find better deals online or through AirBnB.
• MEALS: BCM will provide a welcome dinner on Monday night and closing dinner on Thursday night. We will also provide morning and afternoon coffee and tea break with snacks.

  For other meals you are on your own, although you may like to join other participants in one of the many local eating options in Ojai or nearby Meiner's Oaks, Mira Monte or Oak View.  FOOD OPTIONS

As always at the BKI we invite our participants to include an optional donation to our scholarship fund. BCM is a community supported ministry and we extend this to our Institutes. If you are able, please include your donation amount on your registration form and add it to your payment (note donations are tax deductible to US residents, let us know if you need a tax receipt).

Scholarship discounts on registration will only be available based on donations received and can only be applied to your tuition (you will still need to arrange transport and accommodation).