Protestant Spiritualities
This course is an opportunity for students to wrestle with the experience of spirituality within the Protestant traditions. What does it mean to think with the church and pray with the church in the context of this important feature of the spiritual life? For the purposes of this course “Protestant spirituality: is identified through three expressions: 1) Worship and sacramental life; 2) Convictions regarding salvation and piety (relationship with God); and 3) life and work in the world (faith lived out in action). Following a brief exploration of the medieval spiritual world the four foci will be: (1) Lutheran/Anglican - sacramental piety; (2) Reformed/Puritan (including Great Awakening); (3) Radical (the church as island in a corrupt world; also the focussing on the believer as disciple; and (4) Methodist (a primary expression in the redeeming of time and of neighbour in the world especially leading into the Social Gospel). By engaging primary documents students will be encouraged to encounter historical actors in their own time and understanding.
About the Instructor: Rev Dr Ross Bartlett earned B.A., M.Div., M.A. (Queen’s University); ThD (Toronto); and D.Min (Princeton). An ordained United Church minister he served in congregational ministry for more than 35 years before becoming the United Church Formation Director at AST. He has published books in the areas of Christian discipleship and faith sharing; Part-time ministry; congregational vitality and contributed chapters to different historical texts and journals. His specializations include church governance; congregational vision and mission; part-time ministry; leadership development; preaching; church history; and clergy well-being. He is a Certified Coach and a Spiritual Director and the founding director of AST’s Atlantic School of Discipleship.
Dates: July 13 - July 24, 2026
Days & Times: Monday-Friday, 9:15am-12:15pm
Requirements: Readings and discussions. No written work, projects, or presentations.
Books to purchase: Reading list will be provided by the instructor.
Fee: $275.00
Format: In-person only
Location: Flahiff Room (main Floor, AST Library)
Please note: This Continuing Education program is non-credit, meaning it cannot be counted toward a degree or diploma, and will not be transcripted. Continuing Education registrations are refundable until 7 days before a program commences. After that time, fees are non-refundable.
Questions? Please contact: Lydia Hood, Continuing Education Coordinator, at lydia.hood@astheology.ns.ca
Or the instructor, the Rev. Dr. Ross Bartlett at ross.bartlett@astheology.ns.ca