H E L P I N G L E A D E R S B E C O M E B E T T E R S T E W A R D S .

Presented by:

Grand Canyon University

CONTINUINGEDUCATION

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Table of Contents

LEADERSHIP TRAINING: RING IN THE NEW YEAR AND ANSWER TO A HIGHER CALLING 4A Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Christian Studies degree from Grand Canyon University prepares students to lead in local churches and Christian organizations.

By Michael Jordan

CHURCH EXECUTIVES FIND QUALITY, CONVENIENCE IN ONLINE EDUCATION PROGRAMS 5When Barrington Goldson founded Calvary Tabernacle in Hempstead, NY, nearly 25 years ago, there were 19 congregants worshipping in a motel room. Now, Calvary hosts nearly 800 members in a 12,000-square-foot building every Sunday and supports two K-8 charter schools and 27 churches in five countries.

Getting from Point A to Point B required Goldson to further his education. So, in 2011, he enrolled in an online MBA degree program at Phoenix-based Grand Canyon University to learn to meet the demands of his growing church.

By Cooper Nelson

MAKING MDIV RESIDENCY WORK FOR BUSY PASTORS 6Grand Canyon University (GCU) recently completed its second residency for the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program.

GCU’s MDiv program within the College of Theology offers learning with interpersonal collaboration to develop and inspire future worship leaders.

By Mark Heller

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CONTINUINGEDUCATION

Presented by: Grand Canyon University

Leadership trainingRing in the New Year and answer to a

HIGHER CALLINGA Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in

Christian Studies degree from Grand Canyon University [ www.gcu.edu ] prepares students to lead in local churches and Christian organizations.

The College of Theology [www.gcu.edu/College-of-Theology.php] at Grand Canyon University offers focused training grounded in biblical truth. It is our conviction that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, true and authoritative Word of God. This conviction shapes all that we do and provides a firm foundation for theological studies and ministerial preparation.

“GCU seeks to bridge the gap between gaining an education and continuing in ministry by offering convenient online theology programs with a variety of emphases,” explains Dr. Jason Hiles, Dean of College of Theology. “This allows pastors and others in ministry to continue serving their local community while pursuing a graduate education through the College of Theology.

“Whether you want to be a pastor, a missionary or serve in some other way, GCU’s programs will prepare you to response to the call God has placed on your life,” Hiles adds.

Leadership education options Students can choose from a variety of College of Theology master’s degree programs:

Master of Arts in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in:

Christian Leadership: Many students work as church pastors, deacons, elders or administrators. Others who pursue this program work in the secular world and want to earn their MA in Christian Leadership to develop as Christian leaders within their business field.

Pastoral Ministry: Prepares graduates to provide spiritual guidance and care to members of their church or congregation. Students include pastors, pastoral associates, health care chaplains, religious educators, retreat leaders and Bible study leaders.

Urban Ministry: This program addresses specific challenges and needs within churches, nonprofits or as a startup in inner cities and suburbs.

Youth Ministry: Prepares students to serve and help our youth reach their potential through biblical guidance and teachings as young congregants grow personally and spiritually.

Master of Divinity with an Emphasis in:

Global Ministry: Sets the stage for ordained professional ministry and the foundational elements for a successful academic career and for work internationally in cross-cultural environments.

Worship Leadership: Uses a deeper understanding of biblical and theological concepts toward leadership and ministry

positions in churches and other religious organizations.

“Students who complete (the Worship Leadership emphasis) will learn the biblical theology of worship will begin to develop worship leadership skills and learn to serve effectively in a variety of contexts, whether small leadership rolls or within a larger church,” says Dr. Hiles. “These students are going to learn the same sort of biblical and theological underpinnings that other students will learn, but they’ll learn to apply them in particular ways so that they’re effective and faithful worship leaders.”

For more information, visit www.gcu.edu/churchexecutive.

Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. 800-621-7440; www.hlcommission.orgFor more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.gcu.edu/disclosures.

Please note, not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities. Program availability is contingent on student enrollment. We will not provide your information to any third party without your consent. For more information, read our Privacy Policy. www.gcu.edu/Privacy-Policy.php

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“Adult learners don’t get that sense that this is distance learning,” she explains. “We’ve designed our programs so that pastors don’t have to pull up stakes and leave their churches or move their families, but can pursue an education where they are.”

Dr. Jeff Jibben took both online and ground classes during his 20-year tenure as an executive pastor at multiple Arizona churches. Studying online worked better with his schedule, he says.

Now a theology professor at Grand Canyon, Jibben contacts his online students each week to replicate the personal connection that is typical of a traditional classroom setting. The myriad tools available to students, along with the flexibility of the asynchronous learning style, are favored by many of his learners.

Billy Thrall, GCU’s director of church relations, says the university’s curriculum meets and exceeds the changes that he has observed in the roles of today’s pastors.

“What GCU is doing is redefining what ministry is and creating a different kind of pastor,” says Thrall, a former pastor. “Pastors can’t go to a campus every day, but they know how to serve and they’re smart. We’re developing world-changers, and our online programs allow us to do that.”

To learn more about GCU’s online programs for church leaders, visit www.gcu.edu/Theology.

Cooper Nelson is a staff writer at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix www.gcu.edu. Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. http://hlcommission.org

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.gcu.edu/disclosures. Please note that not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities. Program availability is contingent on student enrollment. We will not provide your information to any third party without your consent. For more information, read our Privacy Policy: http://www.gcu.edu/Privacy-Policy.php

CONTINUINGEDUCATION

Church executives find quality, convenience in online education programs

By Cooper Nelson

When Barrington Goldson founded Calvary Tabernacle in Hempstead, NY, nearly 25 years ago, there were 19 congregants worshipping in a motel room. Now, Calvary hosts nearly 800 members in a 12,000-square-foot building every Sunday and supports two K-8 charter schools and 27 churches in five countries.

Getting from Point A to Point B required Goldson to further his education. So, in 2011, he enrolled in an online MBA degree program at Phoenix-based Grand Canyon University to learn to meet the demands of his growing church.

A busy pastor, Goldson finished his program in a year, cramming homework into the early mornings and late evenings of his 50-plus-hour work weeks.

“Pastors need advanced degrees in ministry or other competencies to extend their church’s work,” says Goldson, Calvary’s bishop and senior pastor. “I pastor 20 hours a week, and the rest is running the church. That doesn’t leave much time to study.” To this end, Goldson says, the flexibility of what was offered fit well with what he needed.

Most pastors work between 55 and 75 hours each week, according to a study by Barna Group. Moreover, their responsibilities extend beyond preaching: Today’s pastors handle church finances, daily operations and other obligations such as funerals, Bible studies and baptisms.

As such, online degree programs are ideal for adult learners looking to pursue advanced degrees while fulfilling daily work or leadership responsibilities. While many seminaries and other universities require students to leave their parishes for extended periods to attend classes on campus, online learning opportunities bring academics into students’ homes or offices.

At Grand Canyon, online programs for church leaders include:• Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in

Christian Ministry• Master of Divinity• Master of Divinity with an Emphasis in Global Ministry• Master of Divinity with an Emphasis in Worship Leadership• Master of Arts in Christian Studies with emphases in Christian Leadership,

Pastoral Ministry, Urban Ministry Education or Youth Ministry

The university’s online learning environment provides students access to full-time online instructors, counselors, tutoring and othertools to aid success. Most online classes have professor-narrated PowerPoint presentations, video walk-throughs and opportunities for satellite study groups.

This all-in-one nature is unique among universities, says Anna Faith Smith, assistant dean of the College of Theology at GCU. Smith says the university is known for its leadership in online learning, and its faculty often are sought out to present best practices at online education conferences.

During his 20 years as an executive pastor, Dr. Jeff Jibben — now a theology professor at Grand Canyon — took online and on-campus classes, but says online study worked better with his schedule

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Making MDiv residency work for busy pastorsBy Mark Heller

Grand Canyon University (GCU) recently completed its second residency for the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program. GCU’s MDiv program within the College of Theology offers learning with interpersonal collaboration to develop and inspire future worship leaders.

Learners take part in three, week-long required residencies in Phoenix (approximately one residency per year) designed for learners to interact and collaborate with College of Theology peers, faculty and other community leaders. GCU strategically plans special conferences, elective sessions and professional exchange forums within residencies.

The residency effectively fosters interpersonal communication skills and develops biblical leadership qualities. Learners can share these concepts along with real-world experiences within their own communities.

Each residency experience centers on a major area of study that draws on knowledge gained through recent coursework:

Residency I: Christian Worldview and Mission: Explore the biblical, historical and theological bases for cross-cultural contextualization of the Christian worldview.

Residency II: Christ-Centered Preaching: Develop skills for the preparation and delivery of powerful expository sermons through an integrative study of biblically sound principles and practices for rightly handling God’s word.

Residency III: Pastoral Theology: Examine the roles and responsibilities of ministers as they lead and shepherd God’s people in a practically oriented, theological study.

About the online Master of Divinity Inspiring a life of faithful ministry, the online MDiv caters to current

and future church leaders with busy schedules. This intensive program provides learners with the convenience and flexibility to explore the Gospel whenever and wherever they wish. Learners can continue working in churches or other organizations while taking course without commuting and worrying about attendance in a physical classroom.

“Whether you want to be a pastor, a missionary, or serve in some other way, GCU will prepare you to respond to the call God has placed on your heart,” says Dr. Jason Hiles, dean of GCU’s College of Theology.

Learners are exposed to a profound depth of biblical and theological knowledge as they nurture the skills of a leader in Christian study. An integrative examination of the Bible allows a learner to deeply connect with the world through powerful expository sermons that deliver the word of God in its true intent.

Early in the program, learners progress through a series of focused interpretive classes on the Bible that instill a precise understanding of the Word of God. Learners explore the great doctrines of Christian faith and the significance of these doctrines in life and ministry.

After establishing a strong foundation in biblical and theological knowledge, the program turns its attention from the study of Scripture to the contexts where ministry happens. Learners investigate the major world religions and ideologies from an evangelical perspective.

While many seminaries at other universities require students to leave their parishes for extended periods to attend classes on campus, GCU’s online learning and networking opportunities bring academics into your home or office through an intuitive LoudCloud learning system.

The university’s online learning environment provides students with access to full-time online instructors, counselors, tutoring and other tools to aid success. Most online classes have professor-narrated PowerPoint presentations, video walk-throughs and opportunities for satellite study groups.

Combining engaging, interactive online learning with residency programs helps gospel-minded students enhance their leadership skills and connect with others.

“When you learn to rightly handle God’s word and apply it in real-world situations where ministry happens, you’ll be able to serve others more effectively than ever,” Hiles says.

To learn more about GCU’s College of Theology programs please visit www.gcu.edu/theology.

Cooper Nelson is a staff writer at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix www.gcu.edu. Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. http://hlcommission.orgFor more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.gcu.edu/disclosures. Please note that not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities. Program availability is contingent on student enrollment. We will not provide your information to any third party without your consent. For more information, read our Privacy Policy: http://www.gcu.edu/Privacy-Policy.php

A recent MDiv residency in session

Dr. Jason Hiles, dean of GCU’s College of Theology