The Christian Growth Institute is an accredited education program designed with those in mind who have been called into the set-apart ministry but are not able to pursue a seminary or TRIM degree. Together with the Shenandoah District Church of the Brethren, Virlina works to equip ministers with the best training. Those who are passionate about the ministry, and who do not want to become a licensed or ordained minister, are encouraged to also enroll in the program or take classes that one finds interesting. For more information, contact the District Resource Center. Keep reading for program requirements and upcoming classes.
For more information and/or to request registration forms, please contact Naomi Powers, CGI Coordinator, Virlina District. Naomi can be reached by phone at 540-483-5555 or by email at [email protected].
Download the most recent brochure here!
ABOUT THE PROGRAM The Institute's program of study is designed to be completed in four years. Here are the required components:
Orientation: This is a one day event to introduce the program to students.
Required Courses:
Portfolio: This is designed to help students with their ministry goals. Quarterly meetings with a mentor will aid in this.
Practice of Ministry Days: Students are required to participate in 3 Practice of Ministry Days, which are held annually, and cover a wide range of topics spoken on by guest speakers.
Ministry Formation: 3 spiritual formation retreats are required to help students develop and learn about the spiritual disciplines.
Supervised Ministry Experience: This is still in the works, but the goal of this will be to allow a student to benefit from an on-site ministry experience under the direction of an experienced pastor.
Broader Church: Students are required to attend at least one Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, one district conference, and a significant ecumenical, interfaith or intercultural event.
For more information and/or to request registration forms, please contact Naomi Powers, CGI Coordinator, Virlina District. Naomi can be reached by phone at 540-483-5555 or by email at [email protected].
Download the most recent brochure here!
ABOUT THE PROGRAM The Institute's program of study is designed to be completed in four years. Here are the required components:
Orientation: This is a one day event to introduce the program to students.
Required Courses:
- Old Testament Survey
- New Testament Survey
- Introduction to Theology
- Ministerial Leadership and Administration
- History of the Church
- Beliefs and Practices of the Church of the Brethren
- Preaching
- Worship
- Introduction to Pastoral Care
- Biblical Interpretation
- Teaching and Learning in the Church
- Evangelism/Outreach
- Written Communication (Writing)
Portfolio: This is designed to help students with their ministry goals. Quarterly meetings with a mentor will aid in this.
Practice of Ministry Days: Students are required to participate in 3 Practice of Ministry Days, which are held annually, and cover a wide range of topics spoken on by guest speakers.
Ministry Formation: 3 spiritual formation retreats are required to help students develop and learn about the spiritual disciplines.
Supervised Ministry Experience: This is still in the works, but the goal of this will be to allow a student to benefit from an on-site ministry experience under the direction of an experienced pastor.
Broader Church: Students are required to attend at least one Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, one district conference, and a significant ecumenical, interfaith or intercultural event.
CGI SCHEDULE
CHRISTIAN GROWTH INSTITUTE
CHRISTIAN GROWTH INSTITUTE
Time Frame |
Roanoke Center |
Shenandoah Center |
Winter 2026 |
Teaching/Learning in the Church Jan - Feb 2026 |
New Testament Survey Jan - Feb 2026 |
Spring 2026 |
Spiritual Formation Retreat March 6-7, 2026 |
Spiritual Formation Retreat March 6-7, 2026 |
Spring 2026 |
Writing Apr - May |
Writing Apr-May |
Summer 2026 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 1, 2026 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 1, 2026 |
Summer 2026 |
Beliefs/Practices of CoB Aug - Sept 2026 |
Worship Aug - Sept 2026 |
Fall 2026 |
Ministerial Leadership Oct - Nov 2026 |
Old Testament Survey Oct - Nov 2026 |
Winter 2027 |
Theology Jan - Feb 2027 |
Evangelism/Outreach Jam - Feb 2027 |
Spring 2027 |
Spiritual Formation Retreat March 5-6, 2027 |
Spiritual Formation Retreat March 5-6, 2027 |
Spring 2027 |
Writing Apr - May |
Writing Apr - May |
Summer 2027 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 2027 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 2027 |
Summer 2027 |
Pastoral Care Aug - Sept 2027 |
Biblical Interpretation Aug - Sep 2027 |
Fall 2027 |
New Testament Survey Oct - Nov 2027 |
Preaching Oct - Nov 2027 |
Winter 2028 |
Worship Jan - Feb 2028 |
History of the Church Jan - Feb 2028 |
Spring 2028 |
Spiritual Formation Retreat March 3-4, 2028 |
Spiritual Formation Retreat March 3-4, 2028 |
Spring 2028 |
Writing Apr - May |
Writing Apr - May |
Summer 2028 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 5, 2028 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 5, 2028 |
Summer 2028 |
Old Testament Survey Aug -Sept 2028 |
Teaching/Learning in the Church Aug - Sept 2028 |
Fall 2028 |
Evangelism/Outreach Oct - Nov 2028 |
Beliefs and Practices of the CoB Oct - Nov 2028 |
Winter 2029 |
Biblical Interpretation Jan - Feb 2029 |
Ministerial Leadership Jan - Feb 2029 |
Spring 2029 |
Spiritual Formation Retreat March 2-3, 2029 |
Spiritual Formation Retreat March 2-3, 2029 |
Spring 2029 |
Writing Apr - May |
Writing Apr - May |
Summer 2029 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 4, 2029 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 4, 2029 |
Summer 2029 |
Preaching Aug - Sept 2029 |
Theology Aug - Sept 2029 |
Fall 2029 |
History of the Church Oct - Nov 2029 |
Pastoral Care Oct - Nov 2029 |
Winter 2030 |
Beliefs and Practices of CoB Jan - Feb 2030 |
New Testament Survey Jan - Feb 2030 |
Spring 2030 |
Spiritual Formation Retreat March 1 - 2, 2030 |
Spiritual Formation Retreat March 1 - 2, 2030 |
Spring 2030 |
Writing Apr - May |
Writing Apr - May |
Summer 2030 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 3, 2030 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 3, 2030 |
Summer 2030 |
Ministerial Leadership Aug - Sept |
Worship Aug - Sept |
Fall 2030 |
Theology Oct - Nov |
Old Testament Survey Oct - Nov |
All instructors for classes have at least a M.Div. and/or a Master's degree.
Location of Classes:
Roanoke Center courses are often taught at the Virlina District Resource Center. Classes are usually held on Saturday afternoons. Naomi Powers is the Center Coordinator.
Shenandoah Center classes are held at the Shenandoah District Office at Weyers Cave, VA. Classes will be held on Saturdays usually from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. John Jantzi is the Center Coordinator.
Required Components of the CGI Program
The thirteen (13) classes and three (3) Spiritual Formation Retreats, one (1) orientation session with center coordinator, and three (3) Practice of Ministry Days are required to complete the program.
Three Practice of Ministry days are REQUIRED for completion of CGI program:
Three Ministry Formation Spiritual Retreats are REQUIRED for completion of CGI program:
Other required components of the program include a portfolio of ministry experiences and report on attendance at one annual conference, one district conference and one significant ecumenical, interfaith or inter-cultural type event.
Roanoke Center courses are often taught at the Virlina District Resource Center. Classes are usually held on Saturday afternoons. Naomi Powers is the Center Coordinator.
Shenandoah Center classes are held at the Shenandoah District Office at Weyers Cave, VA. Classes will be held on Saturdays usually from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. John Jantzi is the Center Coordinator.
Required Components of the CGI Program
The thirteen (13) classes and three (3) Spiritual Formation Retreats, one (1) orientation session with center coordinator, and three (3) Practice of Ministry Days are required to complete the program.
- One orientation session is REQUIRED for all CGI students beginning the program.
Three Practice of Ministry days are REQUIRED for completion of CGI program:
- August 1, 2026 - TBA - Shenandoah District facility
- August 7, 2027 - TBD - Virlina District facility
- August 5, 2028 - TBD - Shenandoah District facility
- August 4, 2029 - TBD - Virlina District facility
- August 3, 2030 - TBD - Shenandoah District facility
Three Ministry Formation Spiritual Retreats are REQUIRED for completion of CGI program:
- March 6-7, 2026 - Camp Bethel
- March 5-6, 2027 - Camp Brethren Woods
- March 3-4, 2028 - Camp Bethel
- March 2-3, 2029 - Camp Brethren Woods
- March 1-2, 2030 - Camp Bethel
Other required components of the program include a portfolio of ministry experiences and report on attendance at one annual conference, one district conference and one significant ecumenical, interfaith or inter-cultural type event.
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Contact info:
E-mail: [email protected] (540) 362-1816 (phone) (540) 362-1817 (fax) Address: 3402 Plantation Road, NE, Roanoke, Virginia 24012 |