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A Bible Institute within Your Church
By Jadell Forman (ORU Class of 1990)
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Dr. Paul King, faculty coordinator for ORU's Diploma of Theological Studies program, was a pastor for 17 years. According to King, DTS was born 13 years ago out of requests from pastors and based upon Ephesians 4:11-13. "[T]he five-fold ministry is to equip the saints to do the work of the ministry. And equipping others for ministry multiplies the ministry of the pastor many times over."
While noting the benefits of Sunday school, King says 45 minutes on Sunday isn't enough to equip believers for ministry. "The ORU Bible institute program provides more thorough, more intensive instruction--like bringing the ORU professor and classroom to the local church."
The DTS program--offering curriculum, materials, and lecture notes for more than 50 classes--is designed to complement the educational ministries of the local church.
Tim Osborn is pastor of Shout Assembly, a nondenominational church in the rural community of Warsaw, Kentucky. He tapped into DTS 4 years ago. As many as 30 people a semester have come from as far as 60 miles away to attend Shout Assembly School of Biblical Studies in joint relationship with ORU.
Osborn reports, "There is no other school like this in north-central, rural Kentucky. Four students have even relocated to be closer to the school.
"As rural pastors, we don't have resources to offer. The ORU Bible institute program provides well-balanced curriculum. [It] is a great program for training lay people in the fundamental roots of Christian faith and ministry." Osborn is delighted with the end result: "rooted, grounded, well-rounded, stable believers. People going through the program tend to be more committed to the church and get involved in ministry."
In other instances, churches partner to create an institute. Or individuals establish an institute that serves their community. Two examples of the latter come from Long Island and the Fiji Islands.
In Long Island, New York, Deborah Edlow had wanted to attend ORU. Although they ultimately didn't move to Tulsa, Edlow and her husband were excited to learn ORU had come to them. They took classes at Upper Room Bible Training Center, an institute near their home and in joint relationship with ORU. "God knows our address!" Edlow said.
On the other side of the world, institute consultant David Collins at World Harvest Institute in Labasa, Fiji, witnesses how the joint venture with ORU now serves a tremendous ministry need. "On the back of years of significant revival and spiritual transformation in Fiji, this level of equipping for pastors comes at a vital time."
King sees these benefits firsthand. An author (click here for published books list) with frequent speaking events across the nation and around the world, he observes how implementing the program can save time and multiply efforts for local pastors.
"And," King adds, "course work in the...program can be applied to advanced standing in ORU's undergraduate distance education and residential degree programs, as well as [in] other colleges and universities."
The Diploma of Theological Studies program offers:
- Diploma of Theological Studies (66 credits)
- Advanced Certificate of Theology (33 credits)
- Certificates (19 credits) for:
- Christian Workers
- Christian Education
- Christian Caregiving
- Missions
- Biblical Studies
- General Theological Studies
- Christian Workers
"We have an Operations Manual that walks you through all the policies, procedures, and forms." In addition, King says, his consultation is just a phone call or e-mail away. "Of course, we recommend that you designate someone to administrate the program so that it does not cause more stress in your life. As it multiplies your ministry, it can actually bring less stress to your life."
For more information, contact Dr. King by phone at 918.435.7097 or by e-mail at pking@oru.edu.
