VISION Update: Teaching Ministry

Since the inception of the VISION nearly two years ago, the teaching ministry has launched the Chicago Ministry Development Academy, responsibly addressed sensitive topics, and seen one of our education staff complete his Master's degree.

Ministry Development

The Chicago Ministry Development Academy began with the understanding that our ministers have a general knowledge of the Bible from their years as Christians. Over the years, however, many of our ministers have had blind spots, overly used the same biblical texts, avoided other passages out of intimidation, and have shown a weakness in exegetical skills, understanding of homiletics and church history.

We developed an approach that is tailored for a normal full-time ministry role in a five year curriculum. When a minister or women's minister leader concludes his or her curriculum, he or she should be able to fulfill the competency of a bachelor's degree at a typical Bible College.  All regular teaching staff is required to take this class unless they already possess a Bible or Theology related degree.  Our approach involves four full days a year, usually two days each in the Spring and Autumn, reading assignments, two papers and two substantial tests.  Thus far, we have completed Old and New Testament overviews and are in the middle of training in how to study and teach characters in the Bible from Devotional, Thematic or Literary approaches.  For instance, in early March we presented full courses on Job, David and Barnabas to illustrate these techniques of studying Biblical characters. In later April participating ministers will present their own course for grading on syllabus, handouts and presentation quality.

Many have asked about the possibility of accessing this material.  There is a short and long answer.  The short answer is that we currently allow other Midwest ministers to attend and participate as well as a few who have inquired about attending the sessions.  We have not yet streamlined the grading process to accommodate more students.  The long answer is different.  Once we have synced our presentations with slides, have gone back and improved on some of the material and spread out the grading of tests and papers among more teachers we can make the material available for free and grading for a nominal charge.

Other Developments

Already this year one of our staff, Dave Pocta, completed his Masters from Lubbock Christian College.  James Becknell, Jeremy Lefler, Winston Batino and AT Arneson are pursuing Masters, Master's of Divinity or Doctoral programs.  In future articles these brothers will share what they have learned from higher education and how it fits in our culture.

Last year we held a Saturday workshop in both the city and suburbs on the question of "Who is my Brother? "  It was designed to approach the subject of how to greet true Christians in other church cultures while maintaining awareness of the slippery slopes that one encounters when Christians mix it up.  It explained parts of our heritage and the DNA that we bring to this discussion. We called for respect in assuming the best, while not losing our own convictions about what it means to be a Christian.

Later, perhaps sometime this year, there will be a follow up on a related topic.  On occasion someone pursues membership with our church that has little or no common heritage.  In this day and age many people have been baptized for all sorts of reasons including some that are quite foreign to the New Testament. Soon the subject arises of how much or what one needs to understand in order for their baptism to be sufficient.  On occasion we meet someone whose spiritual storyline matches the range of descriptions for conversion, rebirth and discipleship that are apparent in Scripture. More often, due to popular believism and the Sinner's Prayer, many have missed the way.  At the same time, our own heritage can be prone overreacting to errors with new errors.  We need help handling the questions that come up responsibly, doing our part to not injure the faith already possessed by a misinformed believer.

It has been a long time coming, but the day has arrived when deeper learning is regularly occurring at staff meetings. In new ways and from different voices the heart, the mind and the soul are being refreshed with new insights from Scripture.  We look ahead to continued growth, and are confident that all of our members will note this growth through the preaching and teaching in Sunday and midweek settings.

Steve Staten, Director
Chicago Ministry Development Academy