CF Institute for Christian Studies and Mission
An Opportunity for Occasional Study or a Four Year Certificate Program
Have you ever wanted to go to Bible School but could not afford either the time or the money? Now you have the opportunity to take a Bible School level course in order to advance your learning and growth in areas such as Old Testament and New Testament Survey, Theology, Missions, Church History, and Apologetics. Two to three courses will be taught each semester by the pastoral staff or by local resource people and will entail reading of an assigned text and other material, class participation, and a final paper or project. Each course will be eight weeks long and will meet once a week for 1 ½ to two hours. There will be a registration fee for each course which will include the purchase of the text. For those of you who want to engage in a more consistent course of study, a four year certificate program is available.
Vision
It is our desire to establish a Bible College level educational program for our area that is affordable and accessible to anyone who desires to learn. The purpose is so that we may love the Lord our God with all our minds, as well as our hearts and souls. We believe that as we grow in our understanding of God’s Word and of His work in history and in the world, we will learn how to more closely imitate Christ, to more capably tell His story, and to relationally engage our neighbor for God’s glory.
Description
Courses will be offered each semester and students will have the opportunity to study in the following areas: Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey, Church History, Essentials of New Testament Greek, Perspectives Course on World Missions, Biblical Interpretation, World Religions, Cults, Theology By a Bunch of Dead Guys (Biblical Theology), Systematic Theology, Apologetics, Evangelism, Preaching, Spiritual Formations, Social Aspects of the Gospel and Spanish. Each course will require weekly preparation in order to participate in class discussion. Credit will be issued on the basis of attending the class and completing an appropriate project summarizing one’s learning in the course.
Process
Students may register for any course that is available. The average cost for each six - eight week course will be $40 - $50, which will include the cost of the textbook. The remaining fee will go towards scholarship help, purchasing additional curriculum, and building a theological library. For students who desire more accountability in their study, a certificate program will be offered.
Certificate Program
A four year certificate program will be awarded to those who take a total of seven courses. The distinctives of this program are: 1) an application form will be filled out and a non-refundable registration fee ($50) will be paid to enter the program, 2) a mentor will be selected by the student who will meet with the student periodically during the program in order to encourage and to track the progress of the student’s learning, and 3) the student must be involved in some form of ministry (in or out of CF) and can relate his/her program of study to this ministry.
Instructors
Instructors will be selected by Pastor McDowell on the basis of their agreement with the CF’s statement of faith and their knowledge of the subject matter to be taught. Most will have at least a Master’s degree.
