MINISTERS IN TRAINING INSTITUTE

A Seminary Alternative with a Seminary Curriculum

 

Standard Operating Procedures

 

This Document

• The Ministers In Training Institute (herein MITI), is purposed as a training institution for those individuals who have been called into the Christian Ministry. The goal of MITI is to prepare individuals not only for ordained ministry, but also provide them with the necessary tools, training, resources and theological undergirding that will equip them to assume a Ministerial support role or Pastoral position. Listed below is a summary of requirements that persons entering this three-year course of studies can expect.

 

• The studies/courses are purposed to mirror a Seminary curriculum, but also provide instruction that is not always a part of the seminary experience that will prepare them for Pastoral Ministry. Following is an overview of the courses that will be studied:

  • Professor and Student expectations

  • The Inner Voice

  • Pastoral Care and Counseling

  • Theology—101 and 201

  • Field Education

  • Spiritual/Pastoral Ethics

  • Sermon Development—Introductory and Advanced  

  • Church Administration

  • Ministerial Leadership Training

  • Personal Care

  • Technology in Ministry

  • Mechanics of Ministry

 

• This journey is a Covenantal agreement between the instructor and the student with the following expectations:

  • Faithful—Both parties will put in the time and effort of preparation to teach and faithfulness to learn

  • Open—Both the instructor and the student will consistently engage in open dialogue in order that instruction may be maximized

  • Intentional—Both instructor and student will be focused, sincere, dedicated and disciplined to both teach and learn

 

• Components in this Journey of Study

  • For assorted reasons, everyone does not complete the MITI journey. The Institute is purposed in helping the student to not only define, but confirm their calling

  • Revelation and discovery may reveal that the call to ordained or Pastoral ministry was misinterpreted, or that the timing for these classes is unsuitable

  • It is expected that certain teachings or theological lessons will challenge the student's embedded beliefs and or theologies

  • Students may simply find that the tract for ministerial ordination is not for them

 

• Confidentiality

  • It is expected that what is shared in the classroom between peers and Professors will remain confidential. Many are the lessons and or discoveries that draw out internal and personal conflicts, concerns, reflections, and fears, or bring up historical traumas that will be shared. As part of a covenantal agreement, what is shared amongst students withing classroom settings must remain confidential. For trust to develop and growth to take place, each student and Professor will agree that what is shared in the classroom setting stays in the class.

 

• Classroom Expectations

  • In-house classes begin at 9:00 AM and end at 12:00 PM, based upon the direction of the Professor. Students are expected to be in their seats or online on time, prepared to learn.

  • Consistent lateness for class will result in private consultation with the Chair of MITI, and if continued, the student may be dismissed from the course.

  • Fees for the course will not be returned after the completion of the second (2) class meeting, but within the first two (2) classes, a prorated return of fees will be provided the student.

  • Likewise, after two (2) absences from In-house or virtual classes, the student must meet with the Chair of MITI to explain the absences. Absences of more than two (2) times will warrant dismissal from the semester and follow the same guidelines regarding fee reimbursement as with late attendances.

 

• It is expected that all books designated as “required materials”, will be purchased and read based upon syllabus directives. Further, the following is expected:

  • Investment: The student will ensure an active investment of their time and effort in assigned coursework

  • Library: In addition to required reading materials, at times, the student will be required to either visit a library or conduct various means of research to address given assignments. Approved research materials include: Internet, Bibles, required text-books, Commentaries, extra-Biblical materials, etc…

  • As a point of reference, prayer, personal study, reading, peer-partnering and discipline are the greatest assets for completing all courses.

 

• Attendance in Worship

  • It is expected that students are in regular worship attendance at their Church home

  • It is expected that students are engaged in some form of Biblical study

I.e., Sunday/Church School, Bible Study classes or other means of personal enrichment are expected. Participation will be confirmed with the students Pastor or Bishop.

 

• As this course work is constructed as a partnership between peers, students are expected to:

  • Draw upon one another’s strengths and gifts for support

  • Share notes with each other where applicable

  • Be each other’s partner in development

  • Respect one another

  • Share contact information where applicable

  • Realize that the bonds made between peers are purposed for lasting relationships

 

• Honesty/Integrity between Professors and class colleagues

  • The Professors are investing their time, expertise, and competencies for the student's growth. Therefore, be faithful to honor and respect their expertise, competency and dedication

  • Be honest with one another in speech, conduct and personal integrity. Further, and always, speak the truth in the spirit of love

  • Where there is evidence that submitted work is evidenced as plagiarized, or that there was cheating on exams, student is subject for immediate dismissal from all classes

 

• Grading Structure is as follow:

  • 100—96           A

  • 95—90            A-

  • 89—86            B

  • 85—82            B-

  • 81—78             C

  • 72—77             C-

  • 68—71             D

  • 67—Below      F

 

Though this curriculum is purposed to prepare the student for ordination, further education such as enrolling in an accredited seminary is always recommended.

 

There will be two Credo Statement assignments, one in the beginning of the course work, and one at the end of the three-year journey.

 

CREDO STATEMENT

 

Below is a list of questions intended to evaluate your current theology, assess your strengths and weaknesses, assess your sense of ministerial calling, and measure your degree of application of scripture for the instructions during the MITI process. The Credo document will help the Instructors/Professors assess the student's ability for ordination as an Elder in the Christian Gospel and ministry.

 

Students must answer the questions seriously. It is expected that students will answer fully and intelligibly each question, making sure that they are thorough, transparent and very detailed with their answers. Students are not to answer the questions based upon what they think the Instructors or the Professors wants to hear, but each question should be answered based upon personal convictions, as they set the foundation as to how the Professors will work with the student, and how the student will conduct themselves in the ministry that God has called them to.

 

Each answer should be typed, edited, and spell checked, paying especial attention to proper sentence structure as well as grammar. This document should not exceed 7-10 pages in length. The Credo statement will not be accepted handwritten. For each answer, feel free to use references, (with proper footnotes), Biblical passages, or other sources of data to support your answers and point of view. Finally, this document is to be returned to the Chair of MITI.

 

Please address the following Questions:

 

1. Who is God, and who is God in relationship to the concept of the Trinity?

 

1. Why do you believe that God is calling you to Ordained Ministry? As a secondary part of this question, please also answer “why” you must be ordained?

 

1. What are your acknowledged weaknesses and strengths that you bring to the Ministry?

 

1. Where/what specifically is God calling you to do at this time in your journey? Please note, “I don’t know” is not an acceptable answer.

 

1.  What are your immediate plans following ordination as it relates to the work of the Gospel and your Church home?