PLANNING SESSION—From left: Charles Albrecht, Russell Duke,
Mike Feazell, John McKenna, Ron Kelly and John McLean meet
March 6 to develop courses for the Ambassador College of Christian
Ministry. [Photo by Thomas C. Hanson]
PASADENA—A vital part of the church’s mission of living and sharing the gospel is the “equipping of the saints for ministry.” As the church has matured in its understanding of the “ministry of all believers,” the need for ongoing education and development has emerged as a priority.
Of course, with Ambassador College and University as part of our denominational heritage, education has long been a focus for our fellowship. Now, an exciting new online educational opportunity will enable all members to access a quality, well-structured Christian Ministry curriculum through the new Ambassador College of Christian Ministry without having to leave home or undertake full-time study.
PLANNING SESSION—From left: Charles Albrecht, Russell
Duke,
Mike Feazell, John McKenna, Ron Kelly and John McLean meet
March 6 to
develop courses for the Ambassador College of Christian
Ministry. [Photo by
Thomas C. Hanson]
“This is an exciting and timely step for our fellowship,” said Pastor General Joseph Tkach. “The new Ambassador College of Christian Ministry builds upon our denominational heritage but extends and expands formal study opportunities throughout the church.
“It offers the church the opportunity to provide practical and foundational knowledge and skills to men and women preparing for or serving in local church ministries around the world.”
This new, denominationally sponsored educational program will be available for both credit and audit study. Students will be able to study from home and commence studies at any time, since the courses will be offered on-line. This also enables the cost of the program to be kept to a minimum.
Students who successfully complete credit study will receive denominationally recognized certification. Those choosing to audit the material without completing the assignments will enjoy a quality Christian Ministry studies program that can enrich and enhance their personal journey of faith.
Development
“The new program has been in development for more than two years,” said Mike Feazell, National Publications director. Dr. Feazell and other church leaders met in March with John McLean, Australian national director, to discuss lay ministry educational opportunities now possible through resources developed by Pacific College of Training & Development.
Pacific College was established by the WCG in Australia in 2000 to deliver structured education in Christian ministry. Dr. Feazell said that the Christian ministry courses that Pacific College has developed provide a comprehensive and practical framework for the church to use as a denominational standard. The courses reflect the church’s theology and doctrine, and the content and format are easy to understand.
Using the program and systems developed by Pacific College, the Australian Regional Office of the WCG will provide the infrastructure for the online courses offered through Ambassador College of Christian Ministry.
“The Worldwide Church of God has undergone dramatic change in the last 17 years, particularly the last eight,” Dr. Tkach said. “A significant aspect of this change has been the transition to ‘the ministry of all believers’ and the need for lay ministry education.”
Courses went online at www.ambascol.org on July 21. Online delivery includes:
Enrollment and pay ment of fees
Lesson materials
Readings
Assessment materials
Assessment feedback
Online discussion groups (for credit students).
Information about courses and enrollment is available at www. ambascol.org
“We believe we have achieved the goal of designing Christian ministry education that is practical, accessible, interesting and doctrinally and theologically mature and sound,” Dr. Tkach said. “This new program will provide an ideal foundation for effective Christian ministry.
“We hope that local congregations will see the program as an opportunity to invest in their local ministry leaders,” said Dr. Tkach. The courses will provide a structured approach to learning, with assessment components for credit students, opportunities for interaction with other students through course discussion groups, and denominational recognition for assessed course completion.
“Ambassador College of Christian Ministry will be a vital resource for equipping members for lay ministry and upgrading and enriching the skills of those who are already serving,” said Dr. Tkach. “It is also an important means of uniting the church worldwide in its learning, development and ministry practices.”
Q&A
Who can take courses?
Anyone who wants to. Courses can be taken for credit (toward certification; includes assignments and grades) or for audit (not for certification; no assignments or grades). The courses are designed to enrich each individual’s personal journey of faith and to support those serving in local church ministries.
What recognition will the program offer?
Those completing each level of study (four courses) will receive certification confirming the successful completion of their work. Those completing all three levels (12 courses) will receive an Associate Degree in Christian Ministry. ACCM degrees and certificates will be recognized by the Worldwide Church of God as certified preparation for lay ministry. While it is not an externally accredited program (and thus the units of study are not transferable to other programs), it is a quality program designed particularly to meet the needs of men and women serving in voluntary ministry within the church.
While completion of the program is not in any way a guarantee of appointment to a particular role of service, it is anticipated that people serving in positions of congregational responsibility will undertake at least selected courses of study.
Of course, we recognize that many of our lay leaders already have other ministry education. This program is in no way designed to supersede or negate such studies. It is simply an additional and probably more accessible program for WCG members who are interested. In addition, of course, members can undertake studies for their own interest and receive recognition for successfully completing the various levels of study.
How can I enroll?
You can enroll online at www. ambascol.org Information about the program and about individual courses is also available at the site.
What will it cost?
Courses taken for credit will be $150 per three-unit course.
Courses taken for audit will be $100 per three-unit course.
How long will it take to complete a course?
Ambassador College of Christian Ministry’s program is designed to be flexible and allow students to start and finish according to their own schedules. Enrollment in a three-unit course will be valid for six months. However, the courses are designed to enable a person in full-time employment to complete the work over 10 to 12 weeks by setting aside several hours per week.
How difficult are the assignments?
The assignments are designed to reinforce learning. In a number of courses you will be asked to write two or three short papers (1,000 to 2,000 words) about key issues raised in the course to demonstrate your understanding.
In other courses there may be sets of questions from the lessons and readings, or practical exercises to complete, such as leading a small group discussion, designing a worship service, or making a presentation. The emphasis is on practical application of the learning. Grades will be awarded as follows: Distinction; Credit; Resubmit selected material in order to obtain credit.
What if I don’t have Internet access?
For the foreseeable future, Ambassador will only be offering its courses via Internet delivery. However, if you don’t have Internet access, you can still take the courses by accessing computers and Internet connections that are provided by most public libraries or perhaps using a friend’s connection.
When can I start and what can I study?
You can enroll anytime. Initially, there may be limits on the number of enrollments for particular courses, but Ambassador is committed to providing a flexible learning environment, so you will be able to enroll anytime. Enrollments will stay current for six months.
The first two courses offered are Spiritual Formation and Survey of the Bible. Two more courses will be available in October: Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ and Foundations of Faith.
Home page of Ambassador College
of Christian Ministry
Courses are
accessible online at
www.ambascol.org
New Ambassador
College Christian Ministry
and Christian Studies Program
The program content will emphasize foundational but fundamental aspects of practical Christian ministry and will be delivered in three levels (completion of each level being a prerequisite for enrollment in the succeeding level).
Associate Degree in Christian Ministry (three levels, 36 units)
Level 1: Foundations of Christian Faith: 4 Courses
MINO1SB: Survey of the Bible, 3 units (available now)
MINO1SF: Spiritual Formation, 3 units (available now)
MINO1FB: Foundations of Christian Faith, 3 units (available in October)
MINO1LT: Life and Teaching of Jesus Christ, 3 units (available in October)
Level 2: ‑Introduction to Christian Ministry: 4 Courses (prerequisite: Level 1: Foundations of Christian Faith)
MINO2CL: Christian Leadership, 3 units (available 2004)
MINO2SG: Small Group Leadership, 3 units (available 2004)
MINO2EC: Effective Communication, 3 units (available 2004)
MINO2WO: Worship, 3 units (available 2004)
Level 3: ‑Introduction to Pastoral Ministry I (prerequisite: Level 2: Introduction to Christian Ministry)
MINO3PR: Introduction to Preaching, 3 units (available 2004)
MINO3PC: Introduction to Pastoral Care, 3 units (available 2004)
MINO3CH: Survey of Church History, 3 units (available 2004)
MINO3YM: Introduction to Youth Ministry, 3 units (available 2004)
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2003