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:Corban University

ContinuingEducation

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Table of ContentsLEADERSHIP TRAINING 3

Seminary Training Is More Important — And Obtainable — Than Ever.

By Leroy Goertzen, D.Min.

BIBLES AND BIBLE SOFTWARE 4

In this world with a plethora of biblical resources, which Bibles and Bible software programs are the best now, and which will prove the most helpful in the future? By Gary W. Derickson, Ph.D.

ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL 6

Colleges and universities are responding to the increasing number of students seeking higher education degrees by offering a variety of options. The most prevalent, now, is online education.

By Aaron Imig, Ed.D.

DO YOU REALLY NEED A MASTER OF DIVINITY TO PASTOR? 8

Is the extra time and expense to obtain an M.Div. worth it? Does a pastor really need one to minister effectively?Answering this key question requires addressing several others first.

By Greg Trull, Ph.D.

THE CHURCH PROFESSIONAL AND CONTINUING EDUCATION 9

I would propose that formal continuing education should be a part of every church leader’s life.

By Michael Patterson, Ph.D.

WHO HAS TIME FOR ONLINE CONTINUING EDUCATION? (SURPRISE! IT’S NOT WHO YOU THINK.) 10

“Who has time for this?”Today, we’re being asked to do more and more with less and less time. Many of us operate in a state of perpetual time poverty. We’re inundated by information from scores of sources throughout the day, not only in the business world — where I came from — but also in ministry. What’s more, church leaders are asked to be available at all hours, by all means.

So, who has time to complete additional college education? Well, despite the diatribe above … YOU DO!

By Shawn Hussey, Ph.D.

DESPERATELY NEEDED: PASTORS WHO KNOW THE BIBLE AND THEOLOGY 11

While no one model for the “ideal pastor” exists, the work of pastors can be divided into three broad categories: (1) ministering the Word, (2) pastoral care, and (3) administration.

By Mark A. Jacobson, D.Min.

CONTINUING EDUCATION: WHICH “MORE” DO YOU NEED? 12

When surveyed, a majority of pastors and church executives somewhat agree or strongly agree they need more than graduate courses in Bible, theology and traditional ministry.

In response, Corban University’s School of Ministry offers “more” in its most popular and important degree programs.

By David Sanford

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CONTINUINGEDUCATION

Leadership trainingSeminary training is more important — and obtainable — than ever.

By Leroy Goertzen, D.Min.

Ministry thrives where the unchanging Word of God intersects with a constantly changing world. Ministry is about reaching people — letting Jesus Christ transform our lives and communities.

Then again, is this simply a nicely stated ideal, or is it a living, breathing reality? Ministry is hard and full of difficult questions, challenging situations and imperfect people.

Seminary is not about answering every question a church leader might encounter; it is about developing a holistic biblical worldview and obtaining the right tools to understand those questions and discern the answers. It is about being prepared to apply biblical truth in a variety of social and cultural contexts. It is about speaking the truth of the gospel with humility and grace.

Like a number of other seminaries, Corban University School of Ministry (SOM) is dedicated to providing training that equips Christian leaders to study the Word of God with integrity, and prepares them to face the challenges of everyday ministry.

We offer three graduate degree programs designed to suit the unique needs of today’s pastors: Master of Arts in Christian Leadership, Master of Divinity in Church Ministry, and Doctor of Ministry in Strategic Leadership.

The latter builds on the foundation of a M.Div. and a pastor’s vocational experience in ministry. It provides advanced study in personal and ministry formation, expanding a pastor’s leadership capacity and effectiveness to take ministry to the next level

10 critical questionsBefore pursuing a D.Min. degree, seek solid answers to some important questions.#1: Why should I pursue this particular degree program?#2: What makes this seminary different from others? #3: Do I agree or strongly agree with its statement of faith?#4: What kind of accreditation does this seminary have?#5: How many students will be in my courses or cohort? #6: What are the residency requirements? #7: How will the course requirements impact my ministry?#8: How long does it normally take to earn this degree?#9: Does the seminary offer financial aid for a post-graduate degree?#10: Will I be able to use my VA benefit?

Additionally, I strongly encourage pastors to carefully study the descriptions of each required course because D.Min. programs can vary widely.

To become a more effective pastor, I highly recommend a focus on leadership. To that end, Corban University’s D.Min. program offers six courses that equip today’s ministry leaders for greater effectiveness:

• The Spiritual Life of a Leader: How Leaders are Transformed• Personal Leadership Foundations: How God Shapes Leaders• Philosophic Foundations of Leadership: How Leadership Works• The Culture of Leadership: How Leaders Exegete Ministry Culture

• The Analytic Dimension of Leadership: How Leaders Develop the Strategic Plan

• The Human Dimension of Leadership: How Leaders Manage the Strategic Process

Upon completion of this leadership-focused coursework, D.Min. students undertake an involved research-oriented project that focuses on addressing a challenge or opportunity of ministry within their ministry context and experience. Typically, such students are required to: identify a viable challenge or opportunity in their ministry that deserves to be addressed; pose a researchable question and create a hypothesis that proposes a feasible answer; develop a biblical foundation for the project and interact meaningfully with literature in the field that informs our understanding of the central theme(s) of the project; conduct a methodology to test the hypothesis and evaluate and report the results drawing concise and accurate conclusions from the project that contribute to an understanding and practice of ministry; and submit a scholarly paper that presents the preceding points in a manner that meets high academic standards and can be presented publicly before one’s peers and constituents.

Corban encourages its D.Min. students to publish their papers as books that will benefit other pastors across the U.S. and abroad. We also urge our graduates to apply what they’ve learned and teach others to do the same.

Evaluating professorsWhen it comes to evaluating a particular seminary’s faculty, academic chops are important — but no more so than five other often-overlooked factors. #1: What kinds of ministry experience does this professor have?#2: Is this professor currently involved in local church ministry?#3: Has this professor studied, taught and ministered cross-culturally and /

or internationally?#4: Does this professor know students personally, and is he willing to

mentor them?#5: Does this professor keep in touch with former students?

Take, for example, Jim Hislop, who earned a D.Min. at Willamette Valley, OR’s Western Seminary. When it came time to work on his dissertation, Hislop already knew his focus: how best to pass the baton from an older pastor to a younger one.

Instead of retiring, however, he went to work part-time at Western Seminary. Now, he’s sharing more than 30 years of pastoral experience with current seminary students — no matter what their age.

Whether you’re 30, 40, 50 or 60, the time could be right for you to pursue a quality seminary education. It’s certainly more important — and obtainable — than ever.

Leroy Goertzen, D.Min., serves as Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology & Director of the D.Min. Program at Corban University School of Ministry in Salem, OR [ www.grad.corban.edu/ministry ]

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Bibles & BibleSoftware

By Gary W. Derickson, Ph.D.

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In this world with a plethora of biblical resources, which Bibles and Bible software programs are the best now, and which will prove the most helpful in the future? We’ll begin by looking at Bibles, and then discuss what many consider to be the best choice in Bible study software.

Good Bible translations are still importantThough the King James Version has been the most popular Bible in many parts of the

English-speaking world, much more recent translations have competed for second place. In my college days, it seemed that the New American Standard (NASB) would dominate, only to be eclipsed by the New International Version (NIV). More recently, the NIV’s market share has been cut into the New King James (NKJV), New Living Translation (NLT), English Standard Version (ESV), and Holman Christian Standard Bibles (HCSB), just to name a few.

Every pastor has a favorite Bible translation from which he or she preaches. A majority, if not most, members of the congregation tend to adopt the pastor’s preaching text. Of course, now they can read along on their favorite electronic device. They also can text message, tweet or post their comments and questions about your message “live” as you go along. I’m no longer surprised when my students post comments about what I’m saying in class on Facebook or Twitter right in the middle of class while pretending to take notes. We can embrace it. It’s the new way to listen!

If you haven’t come across it, I recommend that you explore the NET Bible (New English Translation) at Bible.org. It’s possibly the best online resource for pastors, teachers and lay people who are serious students of the Scriptures. The NET Bible has been an ongoing project of biblical scholars and contains thousands of translation notes. It makes a great resource and study tool. It may be purchased as a hard copy, or accessed online to see the most recent discussions by its contributors.

Then again, this is just one of many electronic tools now available to the pastor and other serious students of the Scriptures.

The best Bible software is the most powerful digital libraryIn recent years, we have seen a wave of electronic study tools arrive. Some have

flourished, others have failed, and more are on the way. So, which is the tool of the future?In recent years, Corban University’s School of Ministry faculty has evaluated whether

or not to continue to require textbooks. We found that, for about the same cost, we could give our students a tool they could take with them and use effectively for the rest of their lives. Now, every undergraduate student receives Logos Bible software. This also is true for students entering Mars Hill’s Bible Certificate program in Seattle this fall (2014).

Not surprisingly, I regularly recommend that every pastor seriously investigate and invest in the Logos digital library. All Corban’s School of Ministry faculty members have the Logos 5 program on their campus computers. I don’t go a day without using it, whether for personal devotions, study, classroom, sermon or Sunday school preparation. With little effort, I can carry around more than 2,900 volumes of books and journals on my laptop.

We also believe the Logos library will be the tool of the future for pastors. Yes, we’ve reviewed other Bible study programs, and they also have valuable resources. I know people who swear by them and love them as much as I do my Logos library. However, none can compare to the vast volume of material now available and being added daily. Ditto on the ease of access to all that valuable data. The search functions and interconnectedness of every resource makes this the pastor’s dream study tool. What used to take a pastor days of thumbing through volumes and reading page after page to find specific information, now takes only seconds.

Most important, though, the greatest strength of the Logos library is its interconnectedness. Every resource comes to you fully searchable by word, phrase, topic, verse or a plethora of other ways. The Logos tagging system integrates each new resource within the search engine. The result is weeks of work compressed into mere minutes. True, it can become overwhelming at times. For the pastor who can focus and whose time is precious, however, this tool can help you maximize your study — and both you and your congregation will benefit.

So, welcome to the electronic age of biblical exegesis! It’s not the future. It’s the past and present. It’s also worth embracing.

Gary W. Derickson, Ph.D., serves as Professor of Biblical Studies and Greek, and as Chair of the Bible and Theology Department at Corban University’s School of Ministry [ www.grad.corban.edu/ministry ].

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ALL THINGS BEING

EQUAL…Online education is worth considering for pastors and other church staffBy Aaron Imig, Ed.D.

Christian higher education — especially at the graduate level — is growing at an unprecedented pace. Colleges and universities are responding to the increasing number of students seeking higher education degrees by offering a variety of options. The most prevalent, now, is online education.

Institutions continue developing online programs, or components of programs, at a rapid rate. Navigating the possibilities and opportunities has become increasingly difficult due to the sheer number of institutions offering online graduate programs.

Then again, research in the past decade has shown that as online education programs grow, these programs increase in quality, accessibility and affordability — all of which benefit students.

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EQUAL QUALITY The most common question prospective students ask is, Will an

online course offer the same quality as a traditional, face-to-face class? As with traditional courses, the success and quality of an online course is mostly dependent upon the qualifications and ability of the instructor. As well, the design of an online course has the most impact on the personalization and inter-connectedness a student feels. Many technological options today make it easy for online instructors to create and nurture a community environment.

Students in online settings have been shown to have similar test scores and overall course grades compared to students in traditional settings. Often, an instructor can pull in more resources and provide more connections to information and additional learning in an online setting than in a traditional setting. Students also are able to have exponentially more networking opportunities in a variety of areas and locations not available in a traditional class model.

Additionally, students in online programs receive more individualization, communication, feedback and student-to-teacher interaction than in traditional programs, all of which have a positive or very positive impact on performance.

EQUAL CREDIBILITYAnother important question is, Will prospective employers consider

an online degree to be as rigorous or valuable as a traditional onsite program? While fairly nebulous negative perceptions have circulated in the past (and in some situations were warranted), accrediting bodies and higher education institutions are making significant strides to uphold academic rigor.

With the ever-increasing demands of accreditation and licensure, schools must continually demonstrate that each course and degree program is taught at or above a traditionally acceptable level.

All this means graduates of online programs today can be confident they’ve earned a degree that is valued for the work they have done, and that is seen as just as substantive as a degree gained having sat in classroom after classroom.

LOWER COSTThe cost of online courses and programs can be extremely reasonable

compared to traditional models. Too often, prospective students forget the added economic benefits of no time and no cost for transportation to and from school over against the actual seat time and waiting built into traditional settings. Online educational environments help students manage their personal resources on their own terms.

EVERYDAY TECHNOLOGY An increasingly smaller percentage of prospective students say they

feel scared of the technology required for online classes. Typically, all one needs is access to the Internet and some basic programs. In searching for the right program, though, this a great question to ask sooner than later.

A growing number of universities now offer a single iPad loaded with all the software, syllabi and textbooks the student will need to earn his or her degree. That makes life anything but complicated, let alone scary!

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULEA major advantage of online classes is that one can work on his or her

own time. True, that leads to more procrastination by some students; many others thrive, however. After all, there still are traditional due dates and check points along the way. (Then again, if a student wants to sit in his or her pajamas and work on coursework at midnight, why not?)

This opportunity to work at one’s own pace benefits a broad range of students. High-achieving students are able to progress through curriculum more quickly, avoiding the frustrations of unnecessary repetition and boredom. Conversely, struggling students are able to spend more time on difficult concepts and progress without the distractions of a traditional classroom’s unrelenting pace.

THE BOTTOM LINEAs Christian colleges and universities strive to meet the demands of

an ever-growing graduate population, online programs will continue to be developed, expanded and promoted. Pursuing a degree in the online setting can be the best way to achieve an educational goal in a cost-effective manner while maximizing a busy life schedule.

Aaron Imig, Ed.D., serves as assistant professor of education and director of graduate education at Corban University [ www.corban.edu ], with campuses in Salem, OR and Tacoma, WA.

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Do you really need a Master of Divinity to pastor?

By Greg Trull, Ph.D.

Statistics from groups such as the Association of Theological Schools reveal that the Master of Divinity degree, or M.Div., faces tough times these days. For decades, the M.Div. stood as the standard for pastoral training; but, more and more ministers now enter the pastorate with the shorter Master of Arts degree, or with no graduate training at all.

So, is the extra time and expense to obtain an M.Div. worth it? Does a pastor really need one to minister effectively?

Answering this key question requires addressing several others first.

Do you have a grasp of theology and issues sufficient to lead a church congregation? The theological world grows increasingly complex these days. A pastor needs to be able to address a wide variety of theological and worldview issues. Who else is expected to offer wise perspective on gay marriage, creation and evolution, persecution in other countries, beliefs of other denominations and of cults, and whether or not dogs go to heaven?

A strong foundation in systematic theology, history of doctrine and theological issues enables a pastor to better answer the wide variety of questions asked.

Add to that foundation training in theological method, the proper process for studying a specific issue. Gaining these in a M.Div. program setting allows professors and students to deeply discuss these difficult topics.

Are you prepared to lead a ministry organization? Serving as a pastor today is much more than studying, preaching and visiting the sick; a pastor of a growing church also leads an organization. These organizations require strategic planning, budgeting, meetings and much more. (Plus, if you have music in your worship services, you’ll need conflict management skills!)

All these elements revolve around an absolutely crucial skill today: leadership. Any preparation for pastoring must include a range of leadership training.

Are you ready to confront the deep emotional and spiritual needs of today? When I first began to counsel as a pastor, I feared I would do no more than ruin people’s lives. I had trouble figuring out where to even start.

At those times, I said a prayer of thanks for the counseling skills course in seminary. I learned techniques that helped me listen — really listen. As I listened, my training in counseling issues began to help me make sense of what I heard.

For many believers, their counseling needs are pretty basic. Many issues revolve around relationships and fears. Counseling training helped me understand people better so I could better help them with the Word.

Good training also helped me recognize when to hand off. Seeing that an issue is too deep or too complicated for basic counseling requires knowledge and humility. Knowing enough to refer a counselee to a

specialist blesses the counselee and relieves the pastor.

Do you have effective communication skills for preaching and teaching? With the Internet and iTunes making the most popular expositors available to worshippers, expectations are rising. For some, you speak just after they hear Mark Driscoll or John Piper. Now, not every pastor needs to be the modern day Jonathan Edwards; but, you can’t ignore crucial communication skills.

Pastors need to have the ability to analyze an audience according to gender, social roles, generations and other factors. Then, you can use your skills to word craft key points, connect with all learning styles, and develop creative teaching strategies.

Some have natural communication gifts that make the process easier — but, no one effectively communicates the Word without help.

Do you have a sufficient knowledge of Scripture to preach, weekly, for two decades? Assuming you want to put roots down and stay long enough to make an impact on generations, you’ll need to preach often, and for a long time. The stereotype today has the pastor preaching his best sermons early in his tenure, fading after a few years, and then moving on when the tank is empty. You don’t want to be that pastor. After Ephesians, Romans and your favorite psalms, then what?

Long-term, effective preaching ministries build on a grasp of Scripture that features breadth across testaments and literary genres, plus a depth that enables fresh exploration. No commentary set or software program takes the place of a thirst to search the Word for yourself and for your people.

Challenging education and in-depth training give you the capacity to not only quench that thirst — but also to deepen it — for many years.

So, do you need an M.Div. to pastor?No. Many pastors minister without one.However, if you’re concerned about money and time, ask yourself this

question: What’s the most efficient and effective way to train for the pastorate? You could read books, conduct research and attend workshops that would address all the above areas. But, to get the breadth and depth of preparation that a quality M.Div. provides, it would take many years and thousands of dollars — in fact, more years and more thousands of dollars than a seminary education costs.

The people we love and lead deserve the very best training we can find. They deserve the most efficient education available. In the long run, that’s still the M.Div.

Greg Trull, Ph.D., serves as Professor of Ministry and Dean at Corban University’s School of Ministry in Salem, OR.

Greg Trull, Ph.D.

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THE CHURCH PROFESSIONALA N D C O N T I N U I N G E D U C A T I O N

By Michael Patterson, Ph.D.

As a church leader, you might very well belong to a denomination that requires your participation in continuing education. If you serve in a non-denominational church, however, you might not have such a mandate — unless continuing education is part of your individual performance plan.

In either case, I would propose that formal continuing education should be a part of every church leader’s life.

5 important questions A number of important questions arise as the

professional considers the opportunity to pursue continuing education.

#1: Am I being strategic with my professional education plans? Asked another way, what specific need are you trying to fulfill when you consider your continuing education options? Are you intentionally enhancing competencies that you already possess, or are you trying to fill a gap in your competencies? Both are commendable, of course.

Continuing education is designed to enhance professional skills, and in some cases can lead to formal certifications such as Microsoft certifications for technology, coaching certifications for business, or counseling certifications for pastors and professional counselors.

#2: Why do I want to enroll in a particular continuing education class? Are you enrolling simply because you’re being forced to meet a minimum continuing education requirement? Or, do you understand how this class, workshop or conference will enhance your professional competencies? Is this simply the most convenient class to take due to schedule or proximity, or is this a class that will provide skills that you’ll be able to apply to your work right away?

#3: What have others done? Have you checked with your peers to evaluate the quality of a particular continuing education offering? Have they attended traditional classes, or have they done their work online? Do they believe that a particular continuing education experience has helped them in their professional lives?

#4: Who can provide this training? Continuing education can take many forms, including half- or one-day workshops, professional conferences, online coursework, graduate intensives and formal academic coursework.

You can find a variety of continuing education options by contacting your professional association, denominational headquarters, or local college or university. You might also find a surprising number of continuing education offerings by doing a targeted search online.

#5: How will I need to adjust my schedule? Continuing education will demand a price. Are you willing to carve out time in your busy schedule for self-improvement, even when it seems many voices are crying out for your time?

Who’s going to pay for the training? You? Your employer? What value do you place on this opportunity? How will that help keep you motivated?

New developmentsI believe that a working professional should take advantage of a variety

of delivery methods for their continuing education needs. I’ve attended countless workshops, conferences and formal academic classes throughout my career, but I’m most excited about the online opportunities that have developed in recent years.

I manage and teach in the Adult Degree Program at Corban University. Our accredited degrees in the fields of Psychology: Family Studies, in Business: Organizational Leadership, and in Health Care Administration — as well as our three Masters in Business Administration degree programs — are offered completely online.

I am very intrigued by the quality / cost paradigm found in the Mobile Ed program developed by Logos Bible Software for seminary level instruction.

Stay on the lookout for intriguing educational opportunities in the months and years ahead.

Michael Patterson, PhD is Assistant Professor and Chair of the Family Studies Program at Corban University in Salem, OR. He holds a BS in Theology from Western Baptist College, an MA in Counseling from Liberty University, and a PhD in Biblical Counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary. Patterson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, and Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor.

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CONTINUINGEDUCATION

(Surprise! It’s not who you think.)

“WHO HAS TIME FOR THIS?” It’s the frequent cry of anyone considering furthering his or her

education. Today, there’s little doubt we’re being asked to do more and more with less and less time. Many of us operate in a state of perpetual time poverty, which makes fitting in a 45-minute dentist appointment feel like Houdini.

Further complicating the situation, we’re inundated by information from scores of sources throughout the day. This is true not only in the business world — where I came from — but also in ministry.

What’s more, church leaders are asked to be available at all hours, by all means.

So, again, who has time to complete additional college education? Well, despite the diatribe above …

YOU DO!Since the mid-1990s, there has been growing recognition that Academia

needs to provide quality educational opportunities for leaders with busy lives. Most of us have no interest in reliving our Raman noodles-eating school years. (a.k.a., being full-time, on-campus students)

Thankfully, Academia has answered the call with non-traditional programs, the most current of which is the online format. Contrary to what you might think, this isn’t a small market anymore.

According to the Christensen Institute, the “nontraditional student” is now the predominate consumer of educational services. Simply put, adult students outnumber the 18- to 22-year-old crowd. And busy leaders like you are invited to join this exciting trend.

At our university, we have created several nontraditional opportunities for busy pastors and other professionals to further their education.

In the School of Professional Studies alone, we offer Business degrees with concentrations in Accounting, Marketing, Leadership and Management. We also have a Psychology program that offers concentrations in Counseling and Family Studies. These Professional Studies programs were created for busy professionals either seeking to complete their first college degree or seeking to augment their current skill set.

In the Business and MBA programs, church executives and other nonprofit ministry executives often enroll to further develop their skills. In turn, they can better serve their people by effectively managing the business side of their churches or para-church ministries.

Best of all, this is done completely online with a healthy mix of full-time professors and instructors practicing their trade within the workforce.

IS ONLINE AS GOOD AS IN-PERSON?I get asked this question a lot. It has been my consistent experience that

online education is not only equivalent, but often times more challenging and rigorous.

WHY IS THAT? First, because students can’t camp out in the back of the classroom

and hide from the professor. In an online environment, engagement is required of every student. This means that even the quietest student will be heard within the class discussion, and even the most opinionated will be tempered in and among the other student perspectives.

In turn, this makes for a well-balanced discussion, taking into consideration the multiple viewpoints and experiences of the students within that particular course. That’s why I truly enjoy teaching in these environments; often, I feel as if I learn just as much as the students do.

Also —and most importantly — every topic, within every class, is examined through the lens of a biblical worldview. While we seek to inform our students on the technical matters of the subject, we want them to understand where that information fits within the marvelously constructed order created by God.

So, if time is the critical factor in you taking the next step in your educational endeavors, I want to encourage you to examine an online program — especially a biblically centered one. In many ways, it’s the best of both worlds.

Shawn Hussey, Ph.D., serves as Chair of Business and Organizational Leadership, Adult Degree Studies Program at Corban University http://adp.corban.edu in Salem, OR.

By Shawn Hussey, Ph.D.

MASTERING TIME

• “Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger men (and women). Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for power equal to your tasks.

— Phillips Brooks

• “God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves.”

— A. W. Tozer

• “We always contrive to find time for that which we deem most important.”

— J. Oswald Sanders

• “Being busy is not a sin. Jesus was busy. Paul was busy. Peter was busy. Nothing of significance is achieved without effort and hard work and weariness.”

— Max Lucado

• “Time is temporal. I am eternal. I will not be mastered by an inferior! I will — by God’s grace — run my schedule according to His will, not let my schedule run me.”

— David Sanford

Who has time for online continuing education?

“But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.” — Isaiah 32:8 NIV

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CONTINUINGEDUCATION

While no one model for the “ideal pastor” exists, the work of pastors can be divided into three broad categories: (1) ministering the Word, (2) pastoral care, and (3) administration.

No one person can excel in all three of these areas; we’re just not wired that way. I have known only one pastor who excelled in two of these areas — preaching and administration — but he was notoriously weak in dealing with people.

Experience suggests that a good pastor will excel in one area, be adequate in a second, and barely adequate or even weak in a third.

It follows, then, that not every pastor needs to excel in preaching and teaching the Bible. Then again, when people visit a church, they expect to hear sound, biblically-based preaching from the Scriptures.

When my wife and I moved to Salem, OR, we visited a number of churches in the area, some of whose ministries had little or nothing to do with weekly pastoral preaching. So, we were willing to put up with less than excellent preaching if other factors outweighed it. But, we still wanted to hear a sermon that got the text right exegetically and then had some meaningful application to the audience that was directly related to the text. It took us months to hear a sermon that met this relatively low bar. We are now active members of that church.

In most (if not all) cases, the lack of skill in ministering the Word can be traced back to inadequate training in biblical and theological studies.

As in any profession, it’s fairly easy to spot the difference between those with adequate education and those without it. This does not mean, however, that pastors necessarily should be skilled in all areas of theology and be able to read Greek and Hebrew.

While my own M.Div. training prepared me in biblical and systematic theology, reading the original text, and church history — the classical seminary curriculum — I have never thought that this level of biblical training was necessary for good, solid biblical preaching.

You don’t need three years of Greek and Hebrew to preach exegetically sound, relevant sermons. But, you do need to preach well, even if preaching / teaching is not the area in which you excel.

This is where additional education and training come inHelp for pastors is readily available today — and more accessible than

ever — due to online instruction. In my own setting, online courses are available in interpreting Scripture, overviews of the Old and New

Testaments, systematic theology, survey of church history (the basic core of biblical studies), plus courses on homiletics.

At Corban University, the Master of Divinity: Church Ministries track is fully online. The Biblical Languages track combines online and on-campus instruction. Both include the level of instruction in Bible and theology that equip pastors to communicate God’s Word more effectively.

Communicating God’s Word effectively is not an option. Let’s never forget what Paul told Timothy: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17 NLT).

We want people in our churches to profit from the reading, studying and application of scriptural truths in their lives.

To that end, they need to see a model of how to do that in their pastor’s sermons. They need to hear good theology based on good exegesis skillfully applied to their lives.

Of all that pastors do, this work has the greatest potential for establishing solid, healthy, growing churches.

Mark A. Jacobson, D.Min., serves as Associate Professor of Theology in Corban University’s School of Ministry in Salem, OR. https://grad.corban.edu/ministry

By Mark A. Jacobson, D.Min.

Desperately needed:Pastors who know the Bible and theology

CHURCH EXECUTIVE • C o n t i n u i n g E d u c a t i o n 12 churchexecutive.com

D.Min. in Strategic LeadershipBuilding on the foundation of a M.Div. or Master’s in a ministry

field — and on your vocational experience in ministry — this “new, improved” D.Min. degree program, led by Dr. Gary McIntosh, provides advanced study in church leadership. Expand your own capacity and effectiveness in order to take your ministry to the next level.

This program requires students to complete a two-week residency at Corban’s Salem, OR, campus once a year for the first three years of the program. At every turn, it will inspire you to accurately assess your ministry leadership and use effective strategies built on the enduring truths of God’s Word.

Traditional topics of study• Spiritual Life of a Leader• Ministry Formation• Biblical Leadership• Ministry Leadership• Biblical Application• Thesis-Project Development

“More” topics of study• Leadership Foundations• Leadership Philosophies• Leadership Analytics• Leading Church Staff• Leading Church Volunteers• Directing Church Programs• Managing Church Assets

Transfer credit Individuals requesting credit transfers should do so at the time of

admission to the program. Eight hours of D.Min. credit, representing two modules / courses, may be transferred into the program from other accredited seminaries. The transfer of courses is subject to the approval of the D.Min. Director and Registrar based upon their relevance to CUSM’s program emphasis and structure, and whether the courses represent a comparable level of academic and professional quality.

Additional informationCorban will match 50 percent of scholarship money contributed

toward your tuition from a church or parachurch organization up to $800 per residency. As applicable, take advantage of Tuition Assistance, GI Bills, and VA benefits. As well, talk to the Corban Business Office about making monthly payments on your student account instead of paying your tuition in one lump sum at the beginning of each semester.

M.A. in Christian Leadership Not everyone in ministry is called to be a church’s senior or lead pastor.

The Master of Arts in Christian Leadership provides seminary training with a strong theological base and three versatile concentrations, allowing you to tailor your degree to your ministry’s needs. Those three concentrations are Spiritual Formation, Nonprofit Leadership, and Christian Teaching.

Traditional topics of study• Interpreting Scripture• Understanding Theology• Theories of Learning and Teaching• Teaching Scripture and Theology• Growing in the Lord• Biblical Worldview• Counseling

“More” topics of study (includes Hoff School of Business MBA courses)• Management• Leadership Theories• Servant Leadership• Organizational Behavior• Stewardship and Financial Planning • Human Resource Management• Building Community Partners• Understanding Generations• Teaching Diverse Kinds of Learners• Cross-cultural Ministry

Transfer credit Corban University School of Ministry may accept credits from regional

and national accrediting institutions approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. No more than 50 percent of the total credit hours required in a program may be transferred from another institution. The final 20 semester hours must be taken at the School of Ministry (and Hoff School of Business).

Additional informationIndividuals enrolled in the School of Ministry are challenged to worship

and glorify God, to nourish their souls with His Word, to fellowship with Him through prayer, to actively build up Jesus Christ’s followers, and to proclaim the Good News to others.

So, what is God’s calling on your life and ministry? As you look to the future, what “more” do you need? As the Lord leads you, this is my prayer: “By His power, may God fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith” (2 Thess. 1:11b). May that be true for you in increasing measure throughout 2016, 2017 and beyond.

David Sanford has served as an associate pastor for 22 years and served as the executive editor of three study, reflective, and application-oriented Bibles published by Tyndale House and Zondervan. He now serves as Director of Institutional Marketing at Corban University.

Details of the study offerings mentioned in this article are available on the Corban University website https://grad.corban.edu/ministry/ or by emailing graduate@corban.edu.

By David Sanford

Continuing education: which “more” do you need?

When surveyed, a majority of pastors and church executives somewhat agree or strongly agree they need more than graduate courses in Bible, theology and traditional ministry.

In response, Corban University’s School of Ministry (CUSM) offers “more” in its most popular and important degree programs.

Ignite your passion.Engage your world.

Online andon campus options

UndergraduateGraduatePost-GraduateAdult Degree

Learn more about Corban University: grad.corban.edu

1-800-764-1383graduate@corban.edu

Entirely online:•Degree completion•Master of Divinity•MBA Non-profit management