What if you could enjoy 4 ½ great days of fellowship with other pastors, gather enough information for six months of sermons and do it all for little or no cost to you? Would you do it?
All pastors in the NPUC have that option, believe it or not, on an ongoing basis. Three or four times a year a guest professor from the Andrews seminary comes to our union and teaches an intensive class from Sunday evening till Thursday that is open tuition-free to every pastor in our union (and even lay leaders approved by their conferences). Most pastors have access to continuing education money through their conferences that is adequate to pay for transportation, lodging, meals and books. Those pastors who would like the class to count for credit (rather than just audit) can apply to Andrews for the MA in Pastoral Ministry or the Doctor of Ministry degree for no cost.
I took my first class years ago when my friend, Mario Ceballos, said “Dan, you read so much you might as well get credit for it!” So I signed up for a course in the book of Daniel taught by Jacques Doukhan. Wow! I’ve been hooked ever since. My most recent course was another winner, “Luke-Acts” taught by Dr. Teresa Reeve last May.
I’m planning to take another course this May held at Gladstone Conference Center in the Portland area. The first one offered (May 1-5) is OTST570–Readings in the OT (taught by Jacques Doukhan) and the second one (May 8-12) is CHIS674– Development of SDA Theology (taught by George Knight). Why don’t you join me? There will be two more classes offered in the NPUC this fall (November 6-10 and 13-17; location to be determined).
For more information check out http://www.inministry.info/article.php?id=3&PHPSESSID=8d71f599c0846e3f423b20efc00835e5 and/or talk with your conference ministerial director.
“There is nothing more calculated to energize the mind and strengthen the intellect than the study of the word of God. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts, to give vigor to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible. If God’s word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose that are rarely seen in these times. The search for truth will reward the seeker at every turn, and each discovery will open up richer fields for his investigation.
“…The mind will enlarge if it is employed in tracing out the relation of the subjects of the Bible to one another, comparing scripture with scripture, and spiritual things with spiritual. The richest treasures of thought are waiting for the diligent student.
“…When a real love for the Bible is awakened, and the student begins to realize how vast is the field and how precious its treasure, he will desire to seize upon every opportunity for acquainting himself with God’s word….” Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students pp. 460, 463
Dan Serns 