A. PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
Christian ministry according to The Encyclopedia of Christianity is, "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world" or in simple words ‘continuing the work of Christ’ or ‘working for the cause of Christ.’ This is not the same as being a pastor or a Christian Minister in a church. The Christian Ministry is an obligation upon every Christian who professes to be a follower of Jesus Christ and His teachings. The prototype of the Christian Ministry is the mandate of our Lord and Savior Jesus, who said: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Mat. 28:19-20).
A professing believer is expected to do the following:
a. Go (out of your circle of believers or friends or church members, or country),
b. Make disciples (this is NOT conversion but live an exemplary life that others may follow you without any compulsion or coercion to learn from you),
c. Baptize (this is to bring them into the everlasting covenant to help the new disciple live a covenantal life, secondly, baptize by immersion),
d. Teach (Christianity or the Christian way of life is NOT TAUGHT BUT CAUGHT, that is, the new believer learns from the professing believer just by observing his/her way of life, besides learning from the teachings of the Master – Jesus Christ! This is the quintessence of Christian Ministry!)
“Church Growth” does not necessarily mean numerical increase of people or members coming into a worship center or a church, although in these days of improper teaching and interpretation, the expression has come to unfortunately indicate only numbers. Church Growth may be measured in terms of spiritual growth (this may be people going from one level of faith to the next level), in terms of people giving to the Ministry (that the Ministry might grow with adequate resources), in terms of witnessing effectively and meaningfully to outsiders (that the church might grow numerically also). All said and done, church growth is primarily in the hands of God as can be seen from Acts 2:47, “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Essentially Church Growth is not about competing with another church or ministry but more about developing believers that God has chosen, to be used by God with their unique gifts. Church Growth is a journey that believers take together for a specific purpose as God would lead them. The Church is only a tool to develop such people and support their calling. Believer, we urge to join this course, for the need of the hour is to strengthen the Ministry and help the Church to grow in spiritual maturity.
B. COURSE STRUCTURE
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Certificate level - 1 year
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Diploma level - 2 years
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PG Diploma level - 2 years
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Bachelors level - 2 years
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Masters level - 3 years
C. LEVELS OF STUDY
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Certificate Course in Ministry & Church Growth - O3W.C.MCg
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Diploma in Ministry & Church Growth - O3W.Dip.MCg
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Post Graduate Diploma in Ministry & Church Growth - O3W.PG.D.MCg
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Bachelor of Ministry & Church Growth - O3W.B.MCg
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Bachelor of Blessing Ministry & Church Growth - O3W.B.MCg (Hons)
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Master of Ministry & Church Growth - O3W.M.MCg
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Master of Ministry & Church Growth Honors - O3W.M.MCg (Hons)
Minimum qualification: Higher Secondary Passed
D. COURSE ADVANTAGES
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Discover your own potential in the Ministry
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Discover whether you are called
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Discover areas of lack in your own life
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Discover how well you are equipped for the ministry
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Learn to set-right your own house in order
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Understand God’s will & plan for your Ministry & Church
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Understand the mandate of the Lord
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Understand that ‘making a disciple’ is NOT plain conversion
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Understand the need of the hour – to win souls!
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Understand that winning souls entails a spiritual battle
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Discover your own ability to withstand ministry trials & tribulations
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Learn the teaching methods of Jesus to accomplish
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Learn the art of ‘making a disciple’
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Understand the sacrifices you have to make in ministry
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Learn the tools of Ministry
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Learn the TRUTH that all aspects of church growth is the work of the Lord, not human effort
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Learn from the NT model of ministry & church growth
E. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
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Minimum - Degree in any subject
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Knowledge of English to read/write & speak
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Some previous knowledge of salvation is required
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Some aptitude for learning and grasping new ideas, techniques and skills is required