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.

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:

1. Old Testament Survey
2. New Testament Survey
3. Introduction to Theology
4. Ministerial Leadership and Administration
5. History of the Church
6. Beliefs and Practices of the Church of the Brethren
7. Preaching
8. Worship
9. Introduction to Pastoral Care
10. Biblical Interpretation
11. Teaching and Learning in the Church
12. Evangelism/Outreach
13. 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
​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
	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
	Old Testament Survey  Aug - Sept 2024	Teaching and Learning in the Church  Aug - Sept 2024
​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

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.  
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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.