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.
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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 studetns 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 ae 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
COURSE SCHEDULE/ROTATION
TIME FRAME |
ROANOKE CENTER |
SHENANDOAH CENTER |
|
Fall 2021 |
History of the Church Oct – Nov 2021 |
Preaching & Intro. to Pastoral Care Oct – Nov 2021 |
|
Winter 2022 |
Teaching and Learning in the Church Jan – Feb 2022 |
Old Testament Survey & New Testament Survey Jan – Feb 2022 |
|
Spring 2022 |
Writing or Spiritual Formation Retreat Mar – Apr 2022 |
Writing or Spiritual Formation Retreat Mar – Apr 2022 |
|
Summer 2022 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 6, 2022 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 6, 2022 |
|
Summer 2022 |
Beliefs and Practices of the CoB Aug – Sept 2022 |
Worship Aug – Sept 2022 |
|
Fall 2022 |
Ministerial Leadership and Admin. Oct – Nov 2022 |
Old Testament Survey Oct – Nov 2022 |
|
Winter 2023 |
Introduction to Theology Jan – Feb 2023 |
Evangelism/Outreach Jan – Feb 2023 |
|
Spring 2023 |
Writing or Spiritual Formation Retreat Mar - Apr 2023 |
Writing or Spiritual Formation Retreat Mar - Apr 2023 |
|
Summer 2023 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 5, 2023 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 5, 2023 |
|
Summer 2023 |
Intro. to Pastoral Care Aug - Sept 2023 |
Biblical Interpretation Aug - Sept 2023 |
|
Fall 2023 |
New Testament Survey Oct - Nov 2023 |
Preaching Oct - Nov 2023 |
|
Winter 2024 |
Worship Jan - Feb 2024 |
History of the Church Jan - Feb 2024 |
|
Spring 2024 |
Writing or Spiritual Formation Retreat Mar – Apr 2024 |
Writing or Spiritual Formation Retreat Mar – Apr 2024 |
|
Summer 2024 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 3, 2024 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 3, 2024 |
|
Summer 2024 |
Old Testament Survey Aug - Sept 2024 |
Teaching and Learning in the Church Aug - Sept 2024 |
TIME FRAME |
ROANOKE CENTER |
SHENANDOAH CENTER |
|
Fall 2024 |
Evangelism/Outreach Oct - Nov 2024 |
Beliefs and Practice of the CoB Oct - Nov 2024 |
|
Winter 2025 |
Biblical Interpretation Jan - Feb 2025 |
Ministerial Leadership and Admin. Jan - Feb 2025 |
|
Spring 2025 |
Writing or Spiritual Formation Retreat Mar - Apr 2025 |
Writing or Spiritual Formation Retreat Mar – Apr 2025 |
|
Summer 2025 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 2, 2025 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 2, 2025 |
Note: Courses in italics and highlighted blue are for students who enrolled prior to 2019.
Location of Classes
Roanoke Center courses are taught at the Virlina District Resource Center. Classes will be held on Sunday afternoons from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Donna Hornsby is the Center Coordinator.
Shenandoah Center classes are held at the Shenandoah District Office at Weyers Cave, VA. Classes will be held on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sarah Long is the Center Coordinator.
Required Components of the CGI Program
The thirteen (13) classes and three (3) Spiritual Formation Retreats, one (1) orientation day, and three (3) Practice of Ministry Days are required to complete the program.
One orientation day is REQUIRED for all CGI students for completion of CGI program:
- June 4, 2022 - Stone COB - Buena Vista, VA
- June 3, 2023 - Stone COB - Buena Vista, VA
- June 1, 2024 - Stone COB - Buena Vista, VA
- June 7, 2024 - Stone COB - Buena Vista, VA
Three Practice of Ministry days are REQUIRED for completion of CGI program:
- August 6, 2022 - TBA - Shenandoah District Church
- August 5, 2023 - TBA - Virlina District Church
- August 3, 2024 - TBA - Shenandoah District Church
- August 2, 2025 - TBA - Virlina District Church
Three Ministry Formation Spiritual Retreats are REQUIRED for completion of CGI program:
- March 4-5, 2022 - Camp Bethel
- March 3-4, 2023 - Camp Brethren Woods
- March 1-2, 2024 - Camp Bethel
- March 7-8, 2025 - Camp Brethren Woods
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 pre-approved significant ecumenical, interfaith or inter-cultural type event.
Revised July, 2021