Where we’ve been so far
Substack Seminary started in January 2026 as a space for “weirdo/orphaned pastors” - ministers trying to move beyond the collapsing institutional church while bringing Christian tradition and faith with them.
Lots of us are doing it - but it’s easy to feel alone!
We’re here to rediscover ministry JOY - and trust in God.
In Q1 we talked about how the church is stuck, Q2 was about sustainability. On August 3rd we’re starting Q3..
Theology and Community
How is our ministry actually ministry?
How are we bringing church to people?
We’ll talk about welcome, belonging, formation, and practice
Then map those areas out for our own ministry.
By the end of the quarter, enrollees will have a practical roadmap for how we’re growing the faith in community
Substack Seminary Weekly Rhythm
Monday: email with the week’s theme, questions, and homework form
Wednesday: blog post on this week’s topic
Thursday, 3:30pm ET: Substack livestream (recording arrives in Monday’s email)
All week: Substack chat on the week’s topic
Twice this Quarter: meet with your ministry partner or cohort
Twice this Quarter — 1-on-1 with Fr. Cathie
Rolling admission: your full year starts at Q3.
$750 covers a full year of Substack Seminary. If you enroll for Q3, your year runs Q3 → Q4 → Q1 → Q2. You cycle through all four themes no matter where you begin.
Between Quarters you get three weeks of breathing room — community space stays open, livestreams continue, but the intensive rhythm pauses.
Already a paid subscriber? You get $80 off. Use the discount code from your subscriber-only email at checkout.
Registration closes Sunday, August 2. Q3 begins Monday, August 3.
Join the community for ministers - lay and ordained - who are serving Cage Free Ministry inside, outside, and alongside the institutional church.
Substack Seminary is a 12-month workshop divided into Quarters, for training, collaboration, and support for building the Future of Church.
Enrollment for Q3 - Theology and Community - is open now! Q3 begins August 3, 2026.
