Earlier this month, Emmanuel Bible College renewed its agreement with the Christian & Missionary Alliance’s Central Canadian District to provide academic credit for graduates of the Pathways School of Ministry. Emmanuel first entered this agreement three years ago in March 2016, and we are thrilled to have the partnership continue.
Graduates of the Pathways program wishing to enrol at Emmanuel can receive 30 advanced credits or the equivalent of one year of undergraduate studies for successful completion of Pathways courses.
Pathways emerged a few years ago as an intentional and innovative approach to the training of the next generation of pastors and church leaders by a specific denomination. It is designed to develop Christ-centred, Spirit-empowered, mission-focused leaders for the church. Pathways is a program that combines academic training with hands-on field experience and ministry coaching. Participants take seven one-week academic modules at the Central District office with courses that emphasize Alliance distinctives and theological perspectives. Instructors are Alliance pastors and ministry staff who have the necessary experience and academic background to teach the courses. One of those is Dwayne Buhler, pastor of the Hazelglen Alliance Church in Kitchener and member of the Emmanuel Board of Governors. Each student’s educational pathway is designed around their sense of calling, gifting, experience and education.
At Emmanuel, we feel God calling us to be innovative, responsive and collaborative as we seek to meet the changing needs of the local church for ministry training. Strengthening our denominational partnerships, as well as seeking out new partnerships, is important.
Our new Be In Christ Certificate in Practical Theology is the result of another denominational partnership. Through our Open Learning division, we worked with Be In Christ (BIC) Church of Canada to develop a series of six non-credit courses that can be taken online by BIC ministry leaders or church attendees wishing to gain a deeper understanding of their denomination’s history and creed. Courses in this program will be available this fall.
Both these initiatives demonstrate that the landscape of ministry preparation and theological education is changing. While Bible colleges and seminaries remain an important feature in the life of the church, new initiatives are being launched that provide alternative pathways into ministry. Emmanuel is actively involved with denominational partners in making this happen as we continue to fulfil our mission of preparing Christ-followers to make a difference in their world.