CLCL

These courses are designed for lay leaders who serve as the director or other positions of leadership within children’s ministry for their church and seek to bridge the gap between the expertise and experience these leaders bring from their own background and professional life, and the particular skills and topics in children’s ministry.

Each course will take place over six weeks. The courses will take place in the Spring and Fall of each year, and will have a maximum capacity of 8 students. Each course will have recorded content for the student to watch, additional resources to read and reflect on, an assignment aimed to root the participant in their particular context, and a Zoom call to allow participants to share their experience. Courses will be offered initially at $175 per student.

Additionally, these courses are designed so that the facilitator has hands on experience in the topic they are leading, and they are involved throughout the course to offer feedback and guidance for the students. This Fall, we will offer Teaching with Children facilitated by Rev. Harrison Litzell and Childhood Spirituality with Dr. Heather Ingersoll, Executive Director of the Godly Play Foundation.

Teaching with Children

This course will be offered Sept 7 – Oct. 16, 2026. The course focuses on Sunday morning worship and the work of creating a space for children to connect with God and their community. The components of the course offer students the chance to learn more about the spiritual life of children and the practical work of making worship inclusive of children and families with attention to neurodivergent and disabled children.

Childhood Spirituality

This course will be offered Sept 7 – Oct. 16, 2026. The course explores the basic understanding of childhood spirituality as an innate and universal dimension of human development. Drawing on insights from educators, psychologists, neuroscientists, and theologians, participants will examine the complex and nuanced nature of children’s spiritual lives. Using this multi-disciplinary perspective, this course participants will explore the role of adults in intentionally creating environments that recognize, support and nurture children’s spirituality lives as a source for meaning-making and a lifelong journey of faith. Dr. Heather Ingersoll will facilitate this course. She is Executive Director of the Godly Play Foundation.

CLCL Fall 2026 Registration

Fill out the form below to register for the Fall 2026 CLCL course(s). Once the form is submitted, Harrison Litzell will reach out to coordinate payment for the course. If cost is barrier to your participation, please contact us at litzell_ha@mercer.edu for information about discounts and scholarships.

Select course(s) you would like to register for:(Required)

Childhood Spirituality (9/7 - 10/16)

Teaching with Children (9/7 -10/16)

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Name Preferred (if different from above)

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Email(Required)

Church(Required)

Current Role, and Years in Current Role(Required)

Education(Required)

Please list institution and highest degree awarded

Total Years in Ministry(Required)

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After completing this form, you will be contacted by Harrison Litzell (litzell_ha@mercer.edu) to complete payment and register for the course. Payment of $175 can be made by check to the name and address below, or by credit card. Harrison will give further instructions for payment when he contacts you. If you have any questions or concerns, you can call him at (678)547-6539 or email at litzell_ha@mercer.edu(Required)

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Checks can be made to Baugh Center 3001 Mercer University Dr AACC BLDG STE 435 Atlanta GA 30341