By John Derry
Hope International University (www.hiu.edu)
Among the many challenges faced by growing and active churches is, “How do we find enough qualified servant-leaders to meet the needs of our congregation?” Demands on the pastoral staff make it difficult to devote the kind of time required to prepare comprehensive training sessions that address critical issues. At the same time, emerging leaders with outstanding potential are assuming more responsibility and desire to refine their ministry skills. They recognize the importance of doing their jobs well, are eager to put new ideas into practice, and want to be sure they have a solid foundation upon which to build their particular ministry programs.
It was this need that led Hope International University to establish the School of Advanced Leadership Training (SALT). Hope wanted to create an innovative way to partner with churches to provide ministry preparation that responded to their unique situations. The university consulted with church leaders across the country and completed pilot projects to ensure top-quality classes. The goal was to offer leadership training that was balanced between biblical, professional, and personal development. Each class would combine a working knowledge of God”s Word with practical insights and skills for fruitful ministry. And, sessions would encourage personal growth in the student”s relationship with God and others.
The courses needed to be flexible, affordable, and substantive. Each SALT class offered by Hope is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Colleges and Schools, and professionally accredited by the Association of Biblical Higher Education. Students have the option of auditing a course, or taking it for undergraduate or graduate credit. Here”s how the process works.
“¢ The local church leaders identify a specific training need such as pastoral counseling, children”s ministry, biblical studies, worship, small-group ministry, or any other subject related to effective ministry.
“¢ The church staff completes a course proposal, available on the SALT Web site (www.hiu.edu/SALT), and submits it to the university. In consultation with the church leaders, Hope faculty design a five-week intensive course that is made available online, and includes a syllabus, lectures by qualified professors, class assignments, textbooks, library resources, and online discussions.
“¢ Students who enroll in the class may complete the work day or night, according to their personal schedules. A grade is assigned at the end of the term.
“¢ The course is taught by a Hope professor who works closely with an on-site mentor who meets once each week with the class to help apply what the students are learning to their local situation. Hope provides resources for local mentors in the form of “Mentor Notes.”
“¢ The course can be offered as often as requested during the year in any five-week period.
A pilot site for the SALT program was Shepherd of the Hills church in Porter Ranch, California. The first two courses requested by the church were Bible Study Methods and Tools, and Foundations of Pastoral Care. Of the 44 students enrolled, more than half took the classes for graduate credit.
Hope currently has more than 125 specific courses taught completely online in such areas as ministry, intercultural studies (missions), leadership, education, management, and business. Churches interested in having a particular SALT course developed may contact the SALT director at [email protected]. Smaller congregations can partner with other churches to participate in classes being offered throughout the year, or individual students may enroll in an upcoming course at their discretion.
Realizing many people have never taken a course online and may be a little hesitant, Hope offers the opportunity to become acquainted with distance education at no cost by going to its Web site at www.hiu.edu and clicking on “Test Drive an On-line Course.” Using technology to equip servant-leaders for effective ministry is a matter of stewardship of resources and a means by which people who want to engage in church work can do so while remaining on the job.
John Derry is president of Hope International University, Fullerton, California.
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