Akademie GenerationPLUS – neue Weiterbildungsangebote für Babyboomer
The St. Chrischona Theological Seminary (TSC) is specifically targeting the large baby boomer generation with a new continuing education program. The GenerationPLUS Academy offers four courses that provide inspiration and motivation on issues related to aging.
A valuable perspective on aging
«With the GenerationPLUS Academy, we want to convey a perspective that focuses on the value and unique treasure of old age and aging,» explains René Winkler, who initiated and designed the new courses as Head of Continuing Education at the TSC. «In doing so, we are bringing promising alternatives to the prevailing social stereotypes of aging into the conversation, which view old age as deficient.
Renowned speakers
Several speakers at the GenerationPLUS Academy are renowned professors. In Course 3 on «Fundamentals of Aging» in Germany, geriatrician Prof. Dr. Andreas Kruse will lay the sociological foundations. He has made a name for himself as the director of the German Institute for Gerontology. Protestant theologian Prof. Dr. Peter Zimmerling will also be a speaker. He is a profound expert on Pietism and will speak about forms of religious practice and spirituality.Dr. Michael Widmer, who teaches Old Testament at TSC, will speak about age and aging in the Bible as well as the meaning of life and aging.
The speakers at the third course in Switzerland are Dr. Markus Müller, an expert on age-related issues, and Dr. Felix Ruther, the former leader of the United Bible Groups (VBG).
Response among baby boomers
The GenerationPLUS Academy courses last two or three days and are held once each in Switzerland and Germany. The premiere of the first course on mentoring skills was a success in the spring. A total of 48 participants participated. René Winkler sees this as confirmation of his success: «Our courses are resonating well, especially among baby boomers who are now retiring from work, want to savor the good life, and live a meaningful life. If we succeed in shaping and developing our congregations and churches with them, everyone can gain a great deal.»
CAS program under accreditation
The four courses of the GenerationPLUS Academy can be taken individually in any order, but are also part of the planned«CAS GenerationPLUS»by TSC and ifge (Institute for Continuing Education and Community Development). CAS stands for «Certificate of Advanced Studies.» Those seeking this continuing education certificate can complete the GenerationPLUS Academy courses with a certificate of achievement.
Partner of the GenerationPLUS Academy
The GenerationPLUS Academy is a project of the St. Chrischona Theological Seminary and ifge, the TSC’s continuing education institute for leadership and church development. Key contributors include Dr. Markus Müller (Initiative ProAging in Switzerland), Beat Brugger (Pastor of Viva Church Switzerland), and Jos Tromp (C1 Division Head of the Evangelical Congregational Association). The GenerationPLUS Academy is supported by the following partners from the TSC network: C1 Evangelical Congregational Association, Evangelical Community Work Switzerland, Free Evangelical Congregations Switzerland, Free Missionary Congregations Switzerland, and Viva Church Switzerland.
René Winkler, Head of Continuing Education TSC
Academy GenerationPLUS: Courses 2025/26
Course 1: Accompanying Competence Accompanying and supporting people in special phases and transitions of their lives
- Switzerland: 05./06.09.2025, elcasa Männedorf
- Germany: 31.10./01.11.2025, Evangelical City Mission Ludwigshafen
- Switzerland: 09./10.01.2026, Mosaic Church Neftenbach
- Germany: January 30/31, 2026, Evangelical Church of Christ, Linden (Hesse)
Course 4: Community Building with GenerationsPLUS
A new way of thinking and cooperation and innovative ways with the generations in the second half of life
Course 2: The Treasure of My Life Story:
Using the resources of my own biography and personality to shape the next years of my life