Arizona churches to offer Gateway Seminary experience

“Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.” — 2 Timothy 2:15 (CSB)

Most people sitting in church would expect the head pastor to abide by this verse. After all, that’s what he’s paid for! But what about a Bible study leader? Small group facilitator? Youth or children’s worker?

As much or perhaps even more than the man behind the pulpit, the people in these positions are going to be connecting the truths of Scripture to real-life situations faced by their group members. These leaders, as well as the next generation of torchbearers called to carry on the race, need to be equipped to handle the truth correctly.

That’s where church-based schools of theology come in — an opportunity for Arizona churches to offer a Gateway Seminary master’s degree right in their own community.

“Training and discipling and getting the next generation ready is the responsibility of the church not Gateway Seminary,” said Monty Patton, executive director of the Arizona Mission Network.

Patton pointed to Ephesians 3:10 (NIV) and its emphasis that it is “through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms…”

Making seminary accessible

Together, Patton, Gateway President Adam Groza and Dallas Bivins, director of Gateway’s Arizona Campus, have discussed how the local church can utilize Gateway resources to make a solid theological education more accessible to current and future leaders who don’t live close to a seminary campus.

Their conclusion? Allow local churches around the state to offer the seminary experience.

“Our faculty and staff met together to determine the vision for Gateway in Arizona,” Bivins said. “We determined at that time that moving forward, face-to-face theological training was a necessity for our churches.

“The state convention has the same vision, and we are step-in-step with each other. As far as a rounded education goes, the instruction in the classroom is important, but equally important are the hallway interactions and parking lot discussions.”

Gateway will support these church-based schools of theology with qualified, accredited teachers “who deliver top-shelf training, right in the local church — whether that is in the Valley, Lake Havasu, Sierra Vista, Thatcher, Flagstaff, Kingman — wherever there is a need,” Bivins said.

A customizable experience

At these church sites, students will be able to take 18 hours of accredited theological credit that can apply toward a master’s degree, including Old and New Testament surveys, Principles of Bible Teaching, and Systematic Theology or Church History.

For example, the Master of Theological Essentials is 36 credit hours. Half of that degree could be earned on a church campus, with the opportunity to finish the degree online — possibly still at your own church — or at the Arizona Campus in Phoenix.

Ray Meadows teaches a Gateway Seminary course at the Arizona Campus in Phoenix. Church-based schools of theology will allow local churches to offer a Gateway Seminary experience in their own communities. (Photo by Nancy Patton)

Church leadership can also add nine elective classes that best suit the needs and vision of their specific church and context, giving pastors a tool to better disciple leaders.

“The program is customizable, and Gateway is there to undergird the work of the church,” Patton said.

Churches will need to guarantee each class has at least eight students. Small churches and associations can partner to meet this minimum requirement, Bivins said.

Anyone age 25 or older with a high school diploma can enroll — no bachelor’s degree required.

To make it affordable, the student; church, association and/or the state convention; and Gateway will share the cost, Bivins said.

Churches empowered to train leaders

Patton has asked Arizona’s churches, “Who’s Your Next?”

Finding future torchbearers is only half the answer. Equipping them to carry the gospel from here is the other half. The Arizona Mission Network and Gateway are excited and hopeful about how local church-based schools of theology can equip church leaders around the state.

“If your church were to start a school of theology, what would it look like?” Patton asked. “How could you, in your context, train up people for gospel ministry in your congregation, in Arizona and around the world?”

Fred Harris, a freelance writer living in Winslow, is senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Winslow.