This will be an all too short history.

It is the problem in teaching the history of the church.  There seem to be three particular schemes of organization:

1. The "teach 'em everything approach."  We wander through the history book, selecting gems and taking our time.  There are plenty of gems to select.
2. The "I have a mission" approach.  You select a particular theme in church history - anything from architecture to zoology - and pound through that.  There are plenty of themes to select.
3. The "high flying reconnaissance mission." Strap into the jet, go to altitude and take pictures.

We have opted here for the third approach.  It is best when dealing with a group which has both those who love history and those who are bored by it.  So if in what follows you do not see your favorite theme, gem, saint or whatever, it is not from a lack of respect - but from a lack of space.

Enjoy the trip; may it make you hungry to come back again.