HE CHURCH OF GOD included students from other denomina- a Christian television service, and the
T
School of Ministry (SOM) tions and ethnic groups. During the School of Ministry have partnered to estab-
and its training program, course, the Holy Spirit moved upon the lish the SOM television channel, where
the Certificate in Ministeri- students to discuss the racial inequalities people anywhere in the world can enroll in
al Studies (CIMS), began as and prejudices they have grown up with. the CIMS
a vision with Dr. Paul L. Walker, then As they became transparent about their program
by DONALD G. BENNETT
general overseer. He selected Donald hurts, the Holy Spirit began to break down over the Internet in addition to the current
Aultman, minister and educator, to devel- walls of prejudices and create authentic Web site hosted by the School of Ministry.
op a distance learning program for the Christian community among them that Since its beginning, leaders in the
Church of God. In collaboration with made noticeable differences in their town. Church of God have realized the impor-
pastors, church leaders, and educators, • Martha Dobson, DLC coordinator in tance of Bible study and training. Richard
Dr. Aultman launched the School of Min- Statesville, North Carolina, wrote: “As I Spurling studied the Scriptures and church
istry (SOM) and the Certificate in Minis- prepare for class each week, I gain a deeper history for two years while he sought a
SOM and CIMS:
Training for Effective Ministry
terial Studies program in the fall of 1999. understanding of the Word. As I have deeper experience with God, leading to
In keeping with the vision of the pioneers prayed about the classes and leaned on the the founding of the first Church of God
of the Church of God to provide ministe- Holy Spirit for help, my life has been congregation. In an Evangel article pub-
rial training for its ministers and laity, the enriched and will never be the same again.” lished August 5, 1922, John C. Jernigan, a
Church of God School of • Trevor Grizzle, professor
Ministry has offered solid, of New Testament at Oral
practical training in bibli- Roberts University and a
cal, doctrinal, and ministe- Church of God minister,
rial studies through CIMS wrote: “Let me congratulate
from its beginning. you for the high-quality
How do students and ministerial resources you
facilitators describe their produce. It’s some of the
experience in the CIMS best stuff in use today, so
program? much so that the director of
• While completing the the Doctor of Ministry pro-
course “Planting and Grow- gram here will be adopting future general overseer, wrote that obtain-
ing Churches,” Travis Hovde some for required reading ing ministerial training was essential in
sensed the Lord speaking to him about and study. Although I teach New Testa- order to fulfill God’s call on one’s life.
planting a church. Travis obeyed God, ment, the practical insights they provide CIMS will continue to equip ministers
implemented principles he had learned in make what I teach relevant and applica- and laity as the official uniform minis-
CIMS, and today is the pastor of a church ble to my students’ life situations.” terial training curriculum of the Church
he planted in Minot, North Dakota. Over 15,000 students have enrolled in of God.
• Terry Chaney, a pastor in South one or more CIMS courses through DLCs
Georgia and a Distance Learning Center and through individual study via the Inter-
(DLC) coordinator, said some powerful net, DVDs, and/or videotapes. In a DLC, stu-
Donald G. Bennett, D.Min.,
healings occurred in his community dents view the 30-minute presentation on
serves as the U.S.A. coordinator
through the course “Ministering to Cul- DVD and then discuss the lesson. The op-
for ministerial development for
turally Diverse Populations.” His DLC portunities continue to increase. SkyAngel,
the School of Ministry.
EVANGEL • MAY 2009 19
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