Churches of God History & Polity to be offered in January

The Churches of God History & Polity class will be offered during the week of January 9-13 at Doubling Gap Center, 1550 Doubling Gap Road, Newville.

Classes will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

The history and polity class is a foundational class for those in ministry or preparing for ministry in the Churches of God. Through this class the student will learn about the life and work of John Winebrenner and how he launched the Church of God. The class will also cover the story of the Church of God movement from Winebrenner’s time to the present and examine the doctrine and core beliefs of the denomination. The student will learn why the Churches of God follow a Presbyterial polity instead of an Episcopal or Congregational form of government. During this class the student will gain an appreciation for who we are, where we have been and where we are heading as the Churches of God.

Registration for the class is now open at mti.churchcenter.com/registrations.

To get a reminder that registration has opened, email info@ercministrytraining.com.

Fall classes announced!

This fall, MTI is offering both our traditional slate of classes and a series of classes in local churches. Read on for details.

MTI Classes

Classes begin the week of Aug. 29 and end the week of Nov. 14. We welcome both students who are seeking credentials in the ERC as well as those who want to deepen their understanding of Scripture. For more information or to sign up for any of the courses below, visit https://mti.churchcenter.com/registrations/events.

Hearing God Through Scripture – Mondays, 6-9 p.m. with instructor Tom Myers at Shippensburg First Church of God.

Survey of the Old Testament 1 – Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m. with instructor Anthony Zumbo at Eberly’s Mill Church of God.

Revelation – Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. with instructor Ed Rosenberry at Carlisle First Church of God.

MTI in the Local Church

This fall, the Ministry Training Institute is offering three classes in the local church. The classes cost $50 each for those who are seeking credit, but are free for everyone else.

A Study of the Minor Prophets: Sundays, 6:30-8:00 p.m. with instructor Linda Rosenberry at Germantown Church of God, Cascade, MD.

Romans: Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. with instructor Jeremy Blair at Landisburg Church of God.

A Disciple Looks at Discipleship: Wednesdays, 7 p.m. with instructor Lew Button at Reality Church of God.

MTI offers summer reading group

Do you ever read a book and reflect that it would be much more profitable if you were reading it with fellow believers who enjoyed discussing what they were reading? Do you ever finish a book and struggle with what to read next? If this describes you, then join Judd Spencer and the MTI in a summer of reading!

Over the course of summer 2022 we will read three books together and discuss what we read. No papers, no homework (other than reading great books) just good discussion about books which help us to think deeply about God’s Word and what it means for us to live as God’s people in his world. This program is designed so that current MTI students can participate in addition to their regular schedule of summer classes.

Meetings will take place on selected Thursdays (see below) via Zoom and will last approximately 2 hours from 6-8 p.m. All I ask is that you read all three books and plan on attending all four meetings to participate in our discussions. All are welcome! Sign up here: https://forms.gle/wLqxabaq8WygzHHE7. Our schedule of meetings and reading will be as follows:

June 2 – Introduction and Meet and Greet

June 30 – Discussion of The Bible is Beautiful, Welcome to the Christian Story by Brett Davis (Independently Published, 2019)

July 21 – Discussion of The Old Testament in Seven Sentences by Chris Wright (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2019).

August 25 – Discussion of The Challenge of Jesus, Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is by N.T. Wright (Downers Grove: IVP, 2015)

Formed … to be like Him

NEW CLASS OFFERING IN SPIRITUAL FORMATION!

Middletown First Church of God, in conjunction with Ministry Training Institute and the ERC, present “Formed … To Be Like Him,” a spiritual formation class led by Pastor Nate Buck.

Spiritual Formation is the work of GOD’S Spirit to lead, guide, transform and renew us to be like Jesus Christ and be fully alive in Him. Every person is designed to grow, connect, and be full of purpose. You are invited to explore the next steps in your relationship with God.

We will meet for interactive and practical experiences that will help newbies, novices, and advanced followers of Jesus become more aware of His presence, and more like Him in our lives.

You are welcome for supper at 5:45 and class begins at 6:30, starting Wednesday, January 12th. Cost is $50.00. Sign up by calling the Middletown First Church of God at 717.944.9608 or email mdtcog@comcast.net.

Fall Registration Opens!

Registration is now open for our fall classes.

On Mondays from 6-9 p.m., Judd Spencer will be teaching Biblical Interpretation via Zoom. Students will learn about the history of the discipline as well as engage in study and methodology moving from the meaning of the biblical text through to its application. It is the goal of this class that the student will fall more in love with God and his word.

Dan Masshardt will be teaching our Survey of the New Testament course both in person (at a location to be determined) and online from 6-9 p.m.

On Thursdays, Ed Rosenberry will teach “Here We Stand,” a course that will look at the Churches of God positions on contemporary issues through the lens of the Bible. Class will meet from 6-9 p.m. both in person and online.

For more details, visit our registration site at mti.churchcenter.com/registrations/events.

Registration opens for Spring 2021

Photo by David Travis on Unsplash

Ministry Training Institute is pleased to announce that registration is now open for our Spring 2021 semester.

We’ll be offering three courses that are required for pastoral track students and two elective courses. All of the classes would be excellent for those who are not looking to be a pastor or seeking credentials in the Churches of God General Conference, but who would like to deepen their knowledge of Scriptures and issues of faith.

The courses being offered are:

Mondays (6-9 p.m.) – Old Testament Foundations I* with Jory Tobias.

Tuesdays (6-9 p.m.) – Christian Counseling Ministries of the Church* with Rodger Scheuing and Apologetics with Michael Walker.

Thursdays (6-9 p.m.) – Introduction to Ethics* with Anthony Zumbo and Religions in America with Brian Warner.

All classes are being held via Zoom. The link will be sent upon registration and receipt of payment.

Click through to our events page at https://mti.churchcenter.com/registrations to register.

Announcing the fall class schedule for Ministry Training Institute

UPDATE: Please note that we have changed the days for two classes. History of the Bible will now be offered on Tuesdays and Designed to Disciple will be offered on Thursdays. The correct times are listed below.

MTI is pleased to announce a slate of six classes for the fall 2020 semester.

Three classes will be held via Zoom and the remaining three will be held in person with an option to attend the class via Zoom. The in-person classes will convert to Zoom should restrictions again be put in place for Pennsylvania residents in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The location for the in-person classes will be announced as soon as it is finalized.

Syllabi for the classes will be linked to the title of class below when they are available.

Students may register for any class by visiting the registration page at https://mti.churchcenter.com/registrations/events.

Monday (August 31 to November 16), 6-9 p.m.

TH 201: The Theology and Practice of Christian Worship with instructor Sarah Baumgardner (via Zoom)
CM 101: Christian Leadership with Jim Moss Jr.

Tuesday (September 1 to November 17), 6-9 p.m.

OT 202: Genesis (via Zoom)
CH 204: History of the Bible with Ed Rosenberry

Thursday (September 2 to November 18), 6-9 p.m.

TH 202: Hermeneutics with Judd Spencer (via Zoom)
CM 102: Designed to Disciple (Discipleship & Spiritual Formation)

Introducing MTI@home

Sitting around the house with no place to go? Bored? Been wanting to learn more about the Bible?

The Ministry Training Institute is offering Bible classes for FREE for eight weeks starting the week following Easter. Live, interactive classes will be taught via Zoom. You’ll receive the information on how to log in after you enroll in the class.

MTI students who take the course will receive credit as an elective.

You can register for the classes at https://mti.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/category/15549.

Here’s what we’re offering:

Luke – Join Ed Rosenberry for a study of the book of Luke. Classes begin April 13 and will be held from 8-9:30 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Click here to see the study guide. Click here to see the class schedule.

Torah Studies – Join Jory Tobias for Torah Studies. Classes begin April 13 and will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Hebrews – Join Dr. Gary Staats for a study of the book of Hebrews. Classes begin April 13 and will be held from 1-2:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Romans – Join Brian Warner for a study of the book of Romans. Classes begin April 13 and will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Studies of King David – Join Mike Walker for a Studies of David. Classes begin April 14 and will be held from 8-9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Nehemiah – Join Dr. Lew Button for a study of the book of Nehemiah. Classes begin April 14 and will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Minor Prophets – Join Linda Rosenberry for a study of the Minor Prophets. Classes begin April 14 and will be held from 1-2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Click here for a class calendar.

Ecclesiastes – Join Anthony Zumbo for a study of Ecclesiastes. Classes begin April 14 and will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Click here for a class calendar.

A response to the coronavirus by Dr. Michael Walker

Credit: NIAID-RML

There are so many things happening in our society with the advent of the novel coronavirus.  Most of us are at home with our families. Churches are not able to gather in their traditional bethels for worship.  Many people are now working from home or have become unemployed because of this virus. Many people have asked me if this was a sign that the Lord is soon to come.  I do not know, but I do not want to miss this opportunity.

In Matthew 24:4-8 Jesus speaks to us about the time and the signs before He comes.

“Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”

I truly believe that the wars and rumors of wars do not necessarily refer to a battle against a uniformed army or even against a terrorist group.  This might mean the battle is against a virus or a disease. I believe that this is a call to the Christian Army to do battle against principalities and powers of darkness.

Ephesians  6:10-18 reminds us.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints

The Mission of the Ministry Training Institute (MTI) is:  The Ministry Training Institute (MTI) exists to equip Christ’s followers so that they can effectively serve God’s kingdom in this world.

We will continue to offer classes through this crisis.  In May, we will be offering two classes online through the ZOOM technology that is available to us today.  This is live, interactive teaching where everyone can see the professor and each other while being apart from one another in their own homes.  

Visit Israel with MTI

Ministry Training Institute and Winbrenner Theological Seminary are hosting a trip to Israel from January 3-15, 2022. Our dean, Dr. Michael Walker, and one of our instructors, Dan Masshardt, will lead the trip.

The trip will include Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Galilee, Nazareth, Mount Carmel, Cana and many other familiar sites from the pages of Scripture. You can see a complete brochure here or fill out this form to have a brochure sent to you.

I invite you to join me on this Journey Through the Bible program that will expand our knowledge of the Bible and this sacred land. A journey following in the footsteps of Jesus will change the way you read the Bible, and you will learn why scholars refer to it as the “Fifth Gospel.”

Dr. Michael Walker