Training Christian Leaders for the Church of the 21st Century

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Training Christian Leaders for the Church of the
21st Century
The mission of the West Virginia Baptist
Convention School of Christian Studies is to
bring honor and glory to God, by developing
quality church leaders, through training that
will help them grow in spiritual maturity,
biblical knowledge and ministry skills.
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A Training Program THAT...
HAS AN AFFORDABLE TUITION
ALLOWS YOU TO LEARN WHILE YOU SERVE
IS WITHIN DRIVING DISTANCE OF YOUR HOME
IS TRUE TO OUR WEST VIRGINIA BAPTIST HERITAGE
MEETS THE LEADERSHIP NEEDS OF WEST VIRGINIA
BAPTIST CONVENTION CHURCHES
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A Training Program FOR...
ANY PERSON INTERESTED IN EXPANDING THEIR
SPIRITUAL MATURITY, BIBLICAL KNOWLEDGE AND
MINISTRY SKILLS
LAY LEADERS AND TEACHERS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH
PASTORS OF WEST VIRGINIA BAPTIST CONVENTION
CHURCHES
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The School of Christian Studies brings together
classroom learning and practical ministry skills
to provide a three-year basic training course of
study.
Classroom Learning
Practical Ministry
Skills
The West Virginia Baptist Convention School of
Christian Studies is open to all persons. Anyone
may take courses for their own general
improvement. It is not necessary to be a
teacher, youth worker or pastor to benefit from a
course of study.
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A Message From Our Director, Dr. Michael
Stephens
One of the great too-well kept secrets of the
West Virginia Baptist Convention is our School of
Christian Studies. Many of our outstanding
pastors began their journey to ministry by taking
classes in the school and have even gone on to
complete college and seminary. Even if you are
simply a believer who wants to grow in the Lord
beyond what your church may be able to offer
through Bible study and Sunday School, the School
of Christian Studies may be just the ticket for
you. Aside from the classroom learning which
takes place, the fellowship and relationships
formed among students and teachers often leads to
ministry connections and powerful prayer support
that honors God and builds faith among the
participants. It has been my joy to teach often
in the school and personally experience this
wonderful dynamic and now as director I invite
you to join us to see how God might work in you
and through you!
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There are six programs of study
in the School of Christian Studies
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The Children and Youth Programs
continue
to
be
ON HOLD
ALL ELECTIVES AND MODULES FOR BOTH PROGRAMS,
EXCEPT TEACHER TRAINING AND BAPTIST POLITY, HAVE
BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. MORE
INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED AS IT IS
RECEIVED. CREDITS PREVIOUSLY EARNED WILL BE
PROTECTED.
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There are four types of classes
in the School of Christian Studies
Core Courses
Six-week Courses
which are
These courses are required for all programs of
study.
They are
OLD TESTAMENT III
NEW TESTAMENT III
THEOLOGY III
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Regular Courses
Six-week Courses
which are
These courses are required for those in the
Pastoral Ministry program. The other programs
have
different requirements for Regular Course
completion.
This includes five courses dealing with
MINISTRY STUDIES
and one course dealing with
HISTORICAL STUDIES
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Module Studies
which are
One-Day Courses
There are three different groups of
MODULE STUDIES
according to the area of study
you are taking.
Two Module Courses
will be offered each year
in August and October
on a Saturday at a central location.
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Elective Studies
which are
One-Day Courses
There are three different groups of
ELECTIVE STUDIES
according to the area of study
you are taking.
Two Elective Courses
will be offered each year
in February/April and March/June
on a Saturday at a central location.
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DID YOU KNOW
That nearly 75 of West Virginia Baptist
Convention churches are served by bi-vocational
pastors.
For a variety of reasons, many of these pastors
have not had the opportunity to seek more
traditional training. This school is not to be
considered a substitute for traditional training,
but rather an alternative training program.
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The School of Christian Studies is under the
direct supervision of the Advisory Committee and
the Christian Leadership Commission of the West
Virginia Baptist Convention.
Advisory Committee Members
DEAN (Northeast area)
Rev. Mike Sisson Sutton, West Virginia
DEAN (Southeast area)
Rev. Ron George, Jr. Fayetteville, West Virginia
ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR
Rev. Roger Tinnel Williamson, West Virginia
DEAN (Northwest area)
Rev. Mark McCloy
Elizabeth, West Virginia
DEAN (Southwest area)
Rev. Craig Coster Barboursville, West Virginia
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Representatives
ABW Ministries of West Virginia
Mrs. Patricia Solomon Philippi,
West Virginia
ABMen of West Virginia
Mr. David Hoge Charleston, West Virginia
Student Representative
Mr. Greg Ramey Crum, WV
Alumni Director
Mrs. Betty Jo McCague,
South Charleston, West Virginia
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West Virginia Baptist Convention
Staff Persons
Director
Dr. Michael C. Stephens
Washington, West Virginia
800.879.9822

304.422.6449
stephens_at_wvbc.org
Secretarial Assistant
Mrs. Donna Snyder
Harrisville, West Virginia
800.879.9822
304.422.6449 snyder_at_wvbc.org
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Each year, in October, the School of Christian
Studies celebrates that years graduating class
with a special dinner/ceremony. Alumni of the
school are also invited to share in this special
time. The 2004 class is pictured below.
Front Row from left to right Sharon Buckley
(Teaching), Thomas Abbott (Pastoral), Cynthia
Morgan (Teaching), Connie Johnson (Pastoral),
Herb Bledsoe (Pastoral), Koneda Devrick
(Pastoral), Valerie Hodges (General Studies) and
Glenna Wolfe-Drennen (Teaching). Back Row from
left to right Donna Estep (Teaching), Carol
Merzouk (General Studies, Robert Bibbee
(Pastoral), Lester Morgan (Pastoral), Roger
Johnson (Pastoral), Paul Lucas III (Pastoral) and
Carlyle Blomme (Pastoral). Not pictured are
James Ramsey (Pastoral).  
2005 GRADUATING CLASS
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The School of Christian Studies
is now proud to present
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The School of Christian Studies has recently
branched out from our standard ministry program
and started an
Advanced Level of Study Program
This new program is separate from our regular
School of Christian Studies program and a
certificate of completion is available after
eight courses are completed.
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Many of our students so hunger to keep learning
that they take the current courses over and over
again.
In the spirit of this, the deans and advisory
team have initiated these new and more in depth
courses that will give students the chance to
study where they feel the greatest need and
interest.
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At this time, there is one program in the School
of Christian Studies Advanced Level of Study and
that is the 2-year Advanced Level of Study
Program.
The selection of courses will be driven by
REQUESTS OF STUDENTS
and
DISCIPLINES NEEDED FOR WELL-ROUNDED MINISTRY
As determined by the deans and director, with
input by leading pastors and potential presenters.
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CLASSES
Classes will be in a one-day format and will be
held at our West Virginia Baptist Conference
Center in Ripley, West Virginia. Registration
will begin at 830 a.m. with class starting at
900 a.m. and ending around 300 p.m. Lunch
will be provided, along with snacks upon your
arrival in the morning. Break times will be
designated by the instructor.
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FEES
Fees are very affordable and a reduced rate is
available for those who do not wish to receive
credit. Each class will be 28.50/single or
40.00/couple, plus the cost of the textbook.
Auditing the course is 14.25/single or
25.00/couple.
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CLASS REQUIREMENTS
Requirements for all classes are as follows
Reading Assignment
1.) Read the textbook prior to the class.
Written Assignment
2.) Write paper (as assigned during class).
To be completed and to instructor 30 days after
class.
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The School of Christian Studies Advanced Level of
Study has already held classes on
Eschatology I and II
and
Atonement
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Please come and join us for a time of
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Please remember
These programs are open to
ALL PERSONS.
It is not necessary to be a
Pastor,
Youth Worker or
Teacher.
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THANK YOU
for your interest
in the School of Christian Studies.
The start of another class
is just around the corner...
so please contact our office
for more details.
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Information packets and registration forms are
available.
Please call Donna at
800.879.9822 or 304.422.6449
or e-mail snyder_at_wvbc.org.
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We are also
on the Web!
Visit us at
www.wvbc.org
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Have a Great Day!
God Bless You
as you continue
to serve Him.
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