Unit 7 Discussion: The Seminary's Mission and Vision Statement

[randyturpin]

This Unit's discussion topic is presented in two parts:

1.  Post a personal reflection on the Seminary's mission and vision statement.  How does the Seminary's mission and vision statement relate to your personal and ministry development goals?

2.  Post a brief analysis on the Seminary's curriculum in regard to its emphasis, scope, and model.

[Emily Hall]

The Seminary’s mission and vision statement emphasizes the importance of preparing men and women for the ministry.  It also describes how the Seminary developed its model for this preparation.  These mission and vision statements relate to my personal goals because I want to be equipped with the best knowledge when leaving this Seminary program.  No only do I want to have head knowledge but also practical knowledge so I am able to share what I know with others.  

The curriculum for the master degree programs places its emphasis, scope, and model on thoroughly preparing its students for the ministry in the real world.  This program’s structure is designed so that it guides each student toward personal and spiritual maturity and competence in their concentration of study.      

[Jason Sharpe]

It is very clear that the purpose and mission of the seminary is to equip both men and women for serving in the ministry.  The seminary also takes on the role of reinforcing the beliefs of the Church of God to all of its students as a guide for the ministry or future ministry each student is a part of.   The seminary focuses on the students being able to apply the knowledge of the classroom towards the ministry that they may be called to, another wards not just head knowledge, but practical knowledge.  This is clearly shown through the faculty at the seminary, as many have been pastors or leaders in the churches.  This is extremely important to me in my ministry. The training that I gain from the seminary journey is training that for the most part will be able to apply to the areas I minister.  With a deeper knowledge of the Word, and a better understanding of leadership, and knowledge I have had from past experiences, together will help the people I serve.  
The particular differences in degree programs allow each student to receive specific training in their area of expertise. It allows the student to not only develop themselves spiritually, but allows them to often times share life stories and experiences with others so that a community may be formed.   No matter what program of degree the student may choose, it will allow the student to dive deep into the Word of God, often time bringing the student to a new knowledge or way of thinking about the Word of God or even a particular passage of scripture.  The models used are often models pattered by personal experiences and many of the courses have adapted Dr Land’s model of the know-be-do- paradigm.  
After a student completes this journey, they should leave the seminary with a better relationship with God, relationship with other students, a better knowledge of the Word, and practical ways of teaching, preaching, and performing other ministries.  

[SunnyE]

1.)  The Seminary sees itself as being “the church of God gathered for theological education.”  It encourages me that the Seminary's motivation to equip men and women for ministry comes from their dedication to “be the church,” and therefore to fulfill its mandate.  It makes a huge difference to me to know that the professors who are teaching me have a desire for the work of the Kingdom and are personally invested in my specific role in that. At the same time, their commitment to academic excellence is assuring that when I leave I will fully prepared to engage in whatever God has for me.

2.)  It also presents a unique opportunity to be educated in an environment that affirms my spiritual heritage – that of Pentecostal-Holiness, and will even help me to understand and appreciate it more.  I am pleased that as part of every degree, there is a Bible, theology and ministry core and that ministry is the emphasis regardless of which field area you are pursuing.

[pastormoore]

As a Pentecostal it is very important to me that we have educators and trainers in this particular area. I thought at one time that just because I was Pentecostal I had the inside track on spirituality. I read and studied the Bible and thought that was all I needed. Although I agree, to a certain extent, that the Bible is all we need and it explains itself, we need men and women educators who have spent their lives studying the scriptures so that they can pour themselves into other ministers.
The missions and vision statement not only support our Denomination but our Pentecostal heritage as well. However, to me the most important part of what the Seminary is doing is training and educating men and women in the ministry. I love the way the Seminary has structured the curriculum to satisfy all aspects of ministry. The Seminary offers everything from training educators to training councilors to help those who struggle with life. Then of course there is my love. Those who will help and train people who want to be pastors, chaplains, and missionaries. Ministry deals with people and what we can do to help them maintain their Christianity in a perplexing world as we live in. this is truly what and education will help us to do.

[erichandem]

It is very obvious that the Seminary cares for and is very concerned with and for its students; not only their present times but their past and future.  I have been at the COGTS for one full semester and am currently in the middle of my second; I have never felt support like I feel here: from both students/peers and the professors and administration.  The Seminary wants us (students) to succeed both on ministry and our personal lives.  
The mission of the Seminary is to help us be prepared, equipped and able to incorporate our story and learning.  The Seminary will do so from a Wesleyan-Pentecostal context.  The Seminary is committed to 'us,' the church, global missions and to the whole church.  The Seminary cares deeply and authentically about not only our minds but our hearts.  The Seminary has already been the most challenging 'thing' I have ever done---even beyond Lee but I know it will be the most rewarding!  
The seminary prepares us, regardless of degree sought, by four stages through out our journeys: the basics, the history, your personal concentration (masters: MACDF, M.Div. Masters in Church Ministry etc...) training/prep/equipping and a concentration you choose inside your degree.  
The Seminary is concerned for and about us that we can know, be and do. We can know: God, scriptures, the Pentecostal faith, church, people, family, self and the enemy’s tricks.  We can be: men and women of prayer, bonded, disciplined, missionaries, compassionate and courageous and finally, we can do: Spiritual community, trust, commit, nurture, worship, fellowship, discipleship and stewardship. (All from Dr. Land's Essay, “A Pentecostal Pastoral Profile for the 21st Century")
I thank God everyday, even when I am trying to grind it all out, for the Seminary, all those associated with it and the humbling responsibility the God called me to proclaim His gospel!

Erich
 
   

[erichandem]

Thank God for the Seminary's emphasis on men AND WOMEN in ministry!!!! Well said brother!

Erich

[erichandem]

I thank God for the Seminary's emphasis/encouragement for women in ministry.

Erich

[pastormoore]

AMEN!!! Well said and I do agree.
Stephen Moore

The first statement of the Seminary’s mission addresses the need of preparation and relevancy. Preparing men and women for ministry in today’s world. Effective ministry can only be done in the context of the now. This is particularly important for me as I am always seeking ways to make this gospel relevant to the culture of today. The mission and vision further seeks to help students integrate life and learning so they can acquire the maturity and professional competency needed to carry out the mission of the church in the world. This again speaks to the need for us as Pentecostals to be trained and prepared to reach the harvest. The Seminary affirms the importance of higher learning and the personal and spiritual development of the student.  In its vision it seeks to honor and strengthen its existence as a Pentecostal community of faith true to our Wesleyan Pentecostalism. Overall the vision of the seminary is to be a research and resource center to the church and its public voice in relation to the contemporary challenges and issues on the church and larger society.    

The seminary’s curriculum place emphasis on training and preparing christian leaders for different areas of ministry. It covers relevant areas such as the  knowledge, personal and spiritual developemt and competency of the graduate. It uses a four step model to achieve this goal. Through bibilical studies one will know the foundation of the chirstian faith. How the church lived out and interpreted its faith is taught through Historical and theological studies. Understanding how leaders of today are to live and minister in today’s world is taught through studies in the life and minisrty of the church. The final model is bieng achieved by what this class is currently doing placing emphasis on personal development and ministry formation. Overall the seminary achieve its objective by offering a balanced program that integrates learning, personal and spiritual development and compentency.

[Rhonda Kinches]

When we were growing up in our Christian home and were confronted with making our own decisions on a direction, or a doctrine, or submitting to authority, or even in the establishment of our friendships my parents would caution us by saying, “Does it line up with the Word of God?”  Over the years, for our family, this criterion for decision making has served the test of time.   I would never have applied for admission to the COGTS without confirmation that it was an institution that fell in line with Scripture.  To every sentence in the mission and vision statements I can say, “Yes and Amen” without reservation.  That does not say that as I experience this journey I will not put every professor and instruction to the test.  I will.  We must.  Christ directs us to.  But Praise God I believe the COGTS has also stood the test of time and will prove itself worthy of living up to its mission and vision for its students, faculty and administration and I thank God for the opportunity to become a part of this community.  

My personal goals and ministry development are the reasons I’m attending this seminary and after reviewing the academic credentials/ personal profiles of the professors and staff, I am filled with anticipation of what I will learn from them; both in the Word and in the Holy Spirit.   A perfect example of this is found in the Learning Outcomes section of Dr. Moore’s Jeremiah OT543 class syllabus:  to experience and give priority to encounter with God through His Word, to demonstrate knowledge of the Word of God, to rightly divide the Word of God, to discern the Spirit of the Word that attends the Word of the Spirit, and there are several more!  The emphasis, scope and model of curriculum couldn’t be more perfectly in line with Scripture!

[erichandem]

The Seminary's mission and vision relates to my personal goals in that the Seminary focuses on equipping and training men and women for minsitry.  Then the Seminary focuses on training and equipping with in the larger church as a whole.  The goals of the Seminary will help me attain my goal of being the best that I can to further God's kingdom.  

The Seminary's cirriculum helps me to attain my goal of being a professional counselor in a timely and efficient manner.  The shape of the degree program is why I chose to continue my education at the Seminary.


Em Lacks

[erichandem]

I like that we all pointed out that the Seminary's vision and mission develops men and women for ministry and equips us to be the best.  It seems as though there are more similarities between us than there are differences when it comes to finding a quality theological education.

Em Lacks

[Daniel Oscar]

Here is what in my personal reflection I consider as the essence of the Seminary's mission and vision statement.

Vision
The COGTS has followed a model for ministerial development drawn from the Scriptures and the heritage of Wesleyan-Pentecostalism: the community of faith.  The Seminary is the church of God gathered for theological education.

Mission
This conviction requires the Seminary to continually seek to conform to the nature of the church, to see its mission as an expression of the mission of the church, and to maintain an interdependent relationship with the larger church under these followings understandings:

1.The Seminary is committed to conform to the nature of the church as established in the Holiness-Pentecostal heritage of the Church of God.
2.The Seminary understands that its mission must serve the global mission of the Church of God.
3.The Seminary understands itself to be an interdependent organ of the larger church. It also recognizes that its position as a member of the higher education academy places special responsibility on the Seminary to serve as a link between the denomination and other expressions of the family of God.

The Seminary & my personal Goals
As an individual member of the COG called by God to extend His Kingdom with my time, gifts, influence and possessions trough this denomination, I find that the vision and mission statement of the Seminary are related to my personal and ministry development goals in the sense that they are not just vision and mission statement in papers, but the Seminary has the structure, the staff, the tools and the links to equip me to reach my personal vision which is in tune with mission of the church.

The Curriculum
The Seminary's curriculum in regard to its emphasis, scope, and model is strong and deepen in Pentecostal theology and spirituality. What is important to conserve and transmit our heritage; but I also think as we are part of a large Christianity family with other expressions, ministry in this time needs interdependent relations, students at a master degree must develop critical capacity; for these reason the curriculum could provide at least a 20% of the credits to consider other winds of expressions.

Daniel Oscar

[Chadrick]

When taking a look at the Mission and Vision of the Church of God Theological Seminary, one must begin with by examining their opening statement.

The mission of the Church of God Seminary is to prepare men and women for Christian Ministry in todays world".

I really beleive that as simple as this seems, this is profoundly why the Seminary is so successful in carrying out it's mission.
Afterall the purpose for the exsitence of any Educational establishment should be for preparation in a specialized area of study.

What sets our Church of God Seminary apart from other organizations is the emphasis on Pentecostal Christian tradition.

Gathering their stucture from Holy Scripture and coupling that with the Wesleyn - Pentecostal approach (a community of faith) the Seminiary is able to offer a very unique enviorment that is condusive to men and women growing in their relationship with the Lord and with other students as they journey into 21st century ministry.

Utilizing Worship, the study of the word and creating awareness of the world mission and the diversity of the Church, the Seminary truly is taking responsibility as an arm of the church and  "eqquipping persons for ministry that is being done in the context of the church".

[Pastor B]

Dear class,

As I post this reflection, I am desperately not trying to sound like I’m buttering up the Seminary leadership but I have found their mission and vision refreshing and consistent with their actions. Over the years I have attended over a half a dozen colleges and found that each of them has an awe inspiring mission and vision statement but you quickly find that their goal is actually to establish their good name and pay the staff and leadership. They are not interested in their students or the communities their students will be apart of. The Church of God Seminary is interested and it shows. It shows in there document and their faculty.

Brian Shepard

[Pastor B]

Dear class,

Every time I review the curriculum of the MDIV program my first reaction is “why so much!” But after future reflection, I can see how the stated objectives can be realized it I will take full advantage of the information and faculty. It is going to be a long and challenging journey but every journey worth taking will be tough to finish. I think I’ve found a curriculum which will prepare me to realize the dream I have for my ministry.

Brian

[Pastor B]

Rhoda,

The level of agreement with scripture is key to this seminaries success in helping you and I achieve our goals. Far too often, seminaries leave the teachings and traditions of the community of faith that instituted them in the first place. This seminary seems to have commitment to scripture and the denomination it supports.

Brian Shepard

[Pastor B]

Preparing without relevance is an exercise in futility. Without the ability to communicate our faith to this generation the church would soon wane. I agree that the preparation and relevance factor is key to the Seminary’s success.

Brian Shepard