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 minitry 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 learnd 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 significatn ecumenical, interfaith or intercultural event.
CGI Schedule
TIME FRAME |
SOUTHERN CENTER |
ROANOKE CENTER |
SHENANDOAH CENTER |
Winter 2019
Completed |
Old Testament Survey Jan – Feb 2019 Ed Woodard Completed |
New Testament Survey Jan – Feb 2019 Bruce Huffman Completed |
Worship Jan – Feb 2019 Completed |
Spring 2019 Completed |
Writing or Spiritual Formation Retreat Mar - Apr 2019 Completed |
Writing or Spiritual Formation Retreat Mar - Apr 2019 Completed |
Writing or Spiritual Formation Retreat Mar - Apr 2019 Completed |
Summer 2019 Completed |
Practice of Ministry Day August 3, 2019 Completed |
Practice of Ministry Day August 3, 2019 Completed |
Practice of Ministry Day August 3, 2019 Completed |
Summer 2019 Completed |
Preaching Aug – Sept 2019 Completed |
Ministerial Leadership Aug – Sept 2019 Completed |
New Testament Survey Aug – Sept 2019 Completed |
Fall 2019 Completed |
New Testament Survey Oct – Nov 2019 Completed |
Introduction to Theology Oct – Nov 2019 Completed |
Evangelism/Outreach Oct – Nov 2019 Completed |
Winter 2020 |
Worship Jan – Feb 2020 |
Old Testament Survey Jan – Feb 2020 |
Beliefs and Practices of the CoB Jan – Feb 2020 |
Spring 2020 |
Writing or Spiritual Formation Retreat Mar – Apr 2020 |
Writing or Spiritual Formation Retreat Mar – Apr 2020 |
Writing or Spiritual Formation Retreat Mar – Apr 2020 |
Summer 2020 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 1, 2020 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 1, 2020 |
Practice of Ministry Day August 1, 2020 |
Summer 2020 |
History of the Church Aug – Sept 2020 |
Intro to Pastoral Care Aug – Sept 2020 |
Introduction to Theology Aug – Sept 2020 |
Fall 2020 |
Evangelism/Outreach Oct - Nov 2020 |
Biblical Interpretation Oct – Nov 2020 |
Ministerial Leadership Oct – Dec 2020 |
Winter 2021 |
Beliefs and Practices of the CoB Jan – Feb 2021 |
Teaching and Learning in the Church Jan – Feb 2021 |
History of the Church Jan – Feb 2021 |
All instructors for classes have at least a M.Div. and/or a Master’s degree.
Location of Classes
Southern Center courses are taught at the Coulson COB located at 4127 Coulson Church Rd., Hillsville,VA. Classes will be held on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sue Morris is the Center Coordinator.
Roanoke Center courses are taught at the Virlina District Resource Center. Classes will be held on Sunday afternoons from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Judy Mills 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 toward completion of CGI program:
- June 1, 2019 – Stone COB – Buena Vista, VA Completed
- June 6, 2020 – Stone COB – Buena Vista, VA
- June 5, 2021 – Stone COB – Buena Vista, VA
Three Practice of Ministry days are REQUIRED for completion of CGI program:
- August 3, 2019 – TBA – Virlina District Church Completed
- August 1, 2020 – TBA – Shenandoah District Church
- August 7, 2021 – TBA – Virlina District Church
Three Ministry Formation Spiritual Retreats are REQUIRED:
- March 1-2, 2019 – Camp Bethel Completed
- March 6-7, 2020 – Camp Brethren Woods
- March 5-6, 2021 – 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 a significant ecumenical, interfaith or inter-cultural type event.