I often keep in touch with students to ascertain what impact the program is having on their lives and most of them say it is the theoretical foundations that are very helpful. They come in with very little understanding of what Educational Ministries is about and what it takes to oversee the complex process of discipleship formation. However, another critical aspect of our program is not just informing the head but shaping the person of the minister.
Community
We are a learning community and we pray together regularly. We have meals together at my home; every class that studies in my program comes to my home for a community meal. We find this very important, not just shaping the mind but the heart, a servant’s heart, a leader servant who will be an educational leader for the church. Another thing we want our students to really be in touch with what is happening in their spiritual lives and what is needed for spiritual formation in the church. So we get people in the integrated program in their final year to serve in the church under experienced pastors. In this way they can be mentored to be pastors of education with oversight in discipleship and the spiritual growth of people, where they will really be in touch with what's happening in the congregation. These three areas are most important. The head, the heart and the competency necessary for them in their ministries.