FOCUS on Education
Church of God Education
Past, Present, Future
HE CHURCH OF GOD ministry as well as their vision for min- With availability of quality education on
T
created a Bible Training istry was shaped while attending one of the Internet, the church cannot fail to use
School (BTS) in 1918, the church’s educational institutions. these opportunities to fulfill the Great
opened its first seminary in Church of God colleges, universities, Commission.
1975, founded its first uni- and seminaries will continue to develop Church of God educators will increas-
versity in 1998, and has designated a sig- unique missions and identities: Lee Uni- ingly assume important leadership roles
nificant portion of its revenue to educa- versity, a comprehensive university offer- in public education and private institu-
tion for the past 50 years. The return on ing educational opportunities in a widen- tions. Church of God schoolteachers,
these investments, to use a business ing range of disciplines while continuing principals, professors, and high school
phrase, shows its programs of ministerial education; the and college administrators already have a
by DONALD S. AULTMAN
astounding Church of God Theological Seminary, significant impact on education in the
results. The most obvious evidence is in central to pastoral preparation, offering United States and other countries.
ministry leadership. Over 90 percent of
the leading pastors, members of the Inter-
national Executive Council, members of
the International Executive Committee,
department directors, World Missions
leaders, and state overseers have attended
a Church of God educational institution.
These accomplishments have not been
achieved without great commitment from
many heroes. Hundreds of men and
women of great ability have dedicated their
lives to the education mission of the
church, and are changing the world
through their students. They are giving
ministry and service to the church that specialized ministries and a doctor of This is a time to celebrate our past,
should be recognized and applauded. A few ministry degree; Patten University, devel- rejoice in our accomplishments, and look
of those special individuals are featured in oping growing worldwide educational forward to a great future as the vision and
this education issue of the Evangel. access beyond its core campus in Oak- mission of education in the Church of God
As the church prepares to celebrate land, California. continue to grow. To recognize the impor-
the first 100 years of formal ministerial Church of God institutions in many tance of educational excellence in the
education, we should realize that the gen- countries will continue to gain increasing Church of God, the general overseer and the
erations to follow will radically alter min- recognition as significant centers of edu- editors of the Church of God Evangel devote
isterial training in the Church of God. cational excellence. Presently, the church these pages as a tribute to the heroes who
Since the success of pastors is directly has 34 institutions offering baccalaureate- serve the community and the church in
related to their preparation, churches will level education and nine schools offering some area of educational ministry.
demand a higher level of ministerial graduate-level education.
preparation for their pastors and pastoral In addition to the 117 postsecondary Donald S. Aultman, Ed.D.,
staff. A review of the pastors of the top institutions supported by the church, serves as chancellor for the
100 churches in the denomination shows online education will be increasingly Church of God Division of
evidence that their preparation for the important to the mission of the church. Education.
18 EVANGEL • MAY 2009
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