The Grace Fellows Program 1 OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION The Grace Fellows Program is a two-year educational and ministry leadership program designed for post baccalaureate men and women who desire to explore vocational ministry, discover and hone their spiritual gifts, develop practical ministry skills, and learn the fundamentals of biblical theology. The Grace Fellows Program is a ministry of Grace Bible Church in College Station, TX and has been investing in young men and women since 1995. MISSION The goal is to provide participants with significant exposure to full-time vocational ministry in a local church setting, and to train them in theological knowledge, ministry skills, character formation, and personal vision. VISION The vision is to provide recent college graduates with the skills, direction, and understanding needed to thrive as ministers of the gospel. VALUES Theological Knowledge: God s Word is the foundation for Christian theology and practice (2 Tim 3:16-17). Ministry Skills: Servants of Christ must possess a variety of skills for effective ministry. Character Formation: Servants of Christ demonstrate a vibrant devotional relationship with Jesus and imitate His character in their personal and vocational ministries. Personal Vision: Future vocational direction results from discovery of God s unique design and gifting for a specific calling and role in The Great Commission. HISTORY Grace Bible Church began an internship program with a single intern in 1995. The program was established as a strategic training ground for college graduates considering full-time vocational ministry. Many participants then attended Dallas Theological Seminary after the completion of their internship. The program currently includes between ten and fifteen participants within our college ministry and between five and ten participants in other areas of ministry each year. To this date, the program has trained more than eighty men and women since its inception. The program includes theological training, overseas missions opportunities, intentional mentorship, and focused ministry training. Grace Bible Church has always considered college campuses to be uniquely strategic opportunities to impact the entire world. The Texas A&M and Blinn campuses continue to demonstrate unprecedented receptivity to the gospel as students commit their lives to the Great Commission. As a result, the Grace Fellows Program provides an unmatched training ground to raise up the next generation here in College Station, Texas!
The Grace Fellows Program 2 LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS This program allows participants to interact with a number of pastors and staff at Grace, so they can receive the broadest possible ministry training. Although classroom training is an important part of their development, a strong emphasis is placed on field experience in the learning process. Participants will learn in the following six environments: Classroom & Instructors Classes are designed to increase the participant s biblical literacy, theological competency, and bible study skills. These classes maintain a small participant-to-instructor ratio in order to provide an interactive learning environment. Each class session includes required reading and assigned homework. Small Groups Participants invest a portion of their time leading within a small group ministry. They meet weekly with staff to study the Bible, using Bible study curriculum written at Grace. Once they are trained, they lead their own small groups through the Scripture. They also provide discipleship and training to the students in their care, and occasionally have public speaking opportunities through the small group ministry. Community This program engages each participant in transformative Christian community. They meet biweekly in Men s or Women s Time to pray and reflect upon the previous week s ministry. These meetings strengthen their relationships with one another and provide a safe place to express the joys and challenges of ministry. Ministry Specialty & General Administration Each participant has unique gifts, ministry passions, and background experiences. As a result, each participant is given a ministry focus, whether in community outreach, worship, media, evangelism, missions, men s ministry, women s ministry, or administration. In addition to their ministry focus, they are required to fulfill general administrative responsibilities. Missions Participants are required to go on a short-term mission trip during their time in the program. While each trip varies in length and location, they all expose participants to cross-cultural evangelistic ministry. Each person is given responsibility to lead one or more aspects of the trip, in areas such as recruiting, training, and administration. Personal & Professional Mentorship Each participant meets biweekly with a long-term staff member at Grace for personal mentorship. Their mentor addresses spiritual formation and character development, with a view to improving the participant s future effectiveness. Each participant also takes personality and spiritual gift assessment tests, while receiving professional coaching from the Leadership Development Pastor. ENDORSEMENTS The Grace Bible Church Internship provided me with the opportunity to have a variety of pastoral ministry experiences, clarify my call to ministry, and build lifelong Christ-centered friendships with others in vocational ministry. Additionally, the Biblical and theological foundation that GBC provided was so strong that much of what I learned at DTS during my first year as a Th.M. student was a review. - Jeff Harrison, Pastor of Family Ministries, Northwest Community Church, San Antonio, Texas "I highly valued my internship at Grace Bible Church. It deepened my understanding of God s Word and deepened my theological understanding. Through interning, I acquired ministry skills that are still beneficial to me today in the cross cultural setting I live in. It helped me be a more effective teacher of God s Word." - Jerry Varghese, Campus Director, Cru, Ioannina, Greece
The Grace Fellows Program 3 STAFF Co-Director: Buck Anderson A graduate of Stephen F. Austin University, Buck worked in the corporate world for several years before receiving his formal theological training. He attended the College of Biblical Studies in Houston, and earned a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1989. In 1994, he became Academic Dean at the College of Biblical Studies, and Provost in 2004. In 2001, he earned an Ed.D. in Higher Education from the University of Houston. He joined the staff at Grace in 2006, serving as Pastor of Leadership Development. He and his wife Val have three daughters. Co-Director: Chris McGuffey Chris joined Grace in 2014 as the Outreach Pastor. Prior to that, he served on staff with Cru for two decades. He helped develop ministries in East Asia and Greece. Chris holds a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Doctorate of Strategic Leadership from Regent University. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1990 with a degree in political science. He and his wife Amy have three sons. Co-Director: Trey Corry After graduating from Texas A&M University with a Computer Engineering degree in 2001, Trey served for a year as an intern with the college ministry at Grace. He graduated from DTS in 2005 with a Th.M., and served on staff with Cru in East Asia for the next two years. Trey joined the college ministry staff at Grace in 2007 and is now the college pastor. He and his wife Marci have two children. INSTRUCTORS Participants have the opportunity to learn theology and ministry skills from the following instructors: Brian Fisher: Senior Pastor at Grace Bible Church. He holds a Th.M. and a D.Min. from Dallas Theological Seminary. Blake Jennings: Teaching Pastor at Grace Bible Church s Southwood Campus. He holds a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary. Matt Morton: Teaching Pastor at Grace Bible Church s upcoming 3rd Campus. He holds a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary. Marty Scott: Director of College Small Groups & Missions at Grace Bible Church. He holds a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary. Jacob Smith: Teaching Director of College Ministry at Grace Bible Church. He currently attends Dallas Theological Seminary working towards a Th.M. Sarah DeSousa: Director of College Women at Grace Bible Church. She was previously on staff with Cru in several overseas locations. Buck Anderson, Chris McGuffey, and Trey Corry (bios above) also teach portions of the training classes.
The Grace Fellows Program 4 CLASSES Participants spend 17 hours per week in preparation, attendance, and homework for their classes. These classes cover a range of theological and ministry topics. Inductive Bible Study [Fall and Spring Year 1 and Year 2] Instructors Marty Scott, Director of College Small Groups & Missions, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Jacob Smith, College Director of Teaching, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Class Description This course introduces participants to inductive Bible study so that they can read, study, and teach from the Scriptures with accuracy and confidence. Participants are exposed to a wide range of Bible studies from both the Old Testament and New Testament. Participants also have the opportunity to teach these Bible study principles to groups of 8-15 student leaders. [4 hours of study and 2 hours in class each week] Learning Objectives After the course participants should be able to: 1. Recognize common interpretive fallacies and pitfalls. 2. Discuss the major genres of Scripture and the appropriate interpretive approaches for each. 3. Demonstrate confident use of each step of the inductive Bible study method. 4. Identify different types of observation and interpretation skills. 5. Train others to practice inductive Bible study. 6. Communicate their passion for the careful study and teaching of the Word of God. Required Texts Grace Bible Church Bible study publication (See http://www.grace-bible.org/resources/bible-studies-and-publications) Living by the Book by Howard Hendricks Course Requirements Basic Assignments: 1. Complete weekly assignments as given by the instructors. 2. Memorize selected portions of Galatians in the NASB translation. 3. Receive evaluation from instructors every six weeks. Assessment of Learning and Course Project: 1. The participant will create a synthesis project during the first semester of inductive Bible study. It can be a song, poem, chart, or other creative synthesis that incorporates the central themes of the book. 2. The participant will create an argument paper of a biblical book. The paper will identify the purpose of the book and relate its contents in an extended outline form. Course Outline (**Similar schedule for Spring) Fall W1 Small Group Fundamentals Fall W7 Galatians 3:15-29 Fall W2 Survey of Galatians Fall W8 Galatians 4:1-20 Fall W3 Galatians 1:1-10 Fall W9 Galatians 4:21-31 Fall W4 Galatians 1:11-2:10 Fall W10 Galatians 5:1-26 Fall W5 Galatians 2:11-21 Fall W11 Galatians 6:1-18 Fall W6 Galatians 3:1-14 Fall W12 Synthesis of Galatians
The Grace Fellows Program 5 Introduction to Biblical Covenants and Systematic Theology [Fall and Spring Year 1] Instructors Brian Fisher, Senior Pastor, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Matt Morton, Teaching Pastor, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Blake Jennings, Teaching Pastor, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Trey Corry, College Pastor, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Class Description The class provides a basic understanding of biblical and systematic theology. Topics include biblical covenants, dispensationalism and covenant theology, contemporary issues in soteriology, discussion of problem passages, and an introduction to systematic theology. [5 hours of homework & 2 hours in class] Learning Objectives After the course participants should be able to: 1. Articulate clearly the overarching theme(s) of Scripture revealed through covenants. 2. Describe the distinctions between dispensationalism and covenant theology. 3. Compare different soteriological systems and apply them to relevant case studies. 4. Demonstrate competency in interpreting difficult problem passages such as James 2, Hebrews 6, and Hebrews 10. 5. Communicate a basic appreciation for the issues involved in each category of systematic theology and articulate and defend personal positions for each category. Required Text Thy Kingdom Come by Dwight Pentecost Dispensationalism by Charles Ryrie The Reign of the Servant Kings by Joseph Dillow (selections) The Moody Handbook of Theology by Paul Enns Course Requirements Basic Assignments: 1. Come to class having completed reading and written assignments each week. 2. Memorize portions of Scripture as assigned by instructors. 3. Pass the final exam at the end of each semester. 4. Take one of your leaders through the biblical covenants material in weekly discipleship. Assessments of Learning: 1. Complete the Biblical Covenant & Eschatology worksheet by end of the Fall semester. 2. Create a chart that demonstrates an awareness of Old Testament chronology of books. 3. Label a geographic map of important Old Testament locations. 4. Write a one-page paper to summarize the content from each week s class. Course Project: 1. Fall: Create a one-page summary of the Bible, based on the biblical covenants discussed in class. 2. Fall: Write a five-page paper summarizing the key concepts underlying dispensationalism and contrasting this interpretive system with covenant theology. Include at least two examples of how these differences effect our lives and/or churches. Include key scriptural references and endnotes where appropriate. 3. Spring: Create a four-page doctrinal statement that explains your position on each category of systematic theology discussed in class. Include key biblical references for each category. This paper should fulfill part of the requirements for a future ordination exam.
The Grace Fellows Program 6 Course Outline Fall W1 Introduction to Class & Covenants Fall W2 Abrahamic Covenant Part I Spr W1 Introduction to Systematic Theology Spr W2 Bibliology Fall W3 Abrahamic Covenant Part II Fall W4 Mosaic Covenant Spr W3 Trinitarianism Spr W4 Christology Fall W5 Davidic Covenant Spr W5 Anthropology Part 1 Fall W6 New Covenant Spr W6 Anthropology Part 2 Fall W7 Covenants in NT Part 1 Spr W7 Soteriology Fall W8 Covenants in NT Part 2 Spr W8 No Class for Spring Break Fall W9 No Class after College Retreat Spr W9 Contemporary Issues in Soteriology Fall W10 Covenants in NT Part 3 Spr W10 James 2 Fall W11 Covenants Wrap-Up Spr W11 Hebrews 6 & 10 Fall W12 Covenant Theology vs. Dispensationalism Spr W12 Sanctification Models Fall W13 No Class for Thanksgiving Week Spr W13 Ecclesiology Fall W14 Course Wrap Up; Q&A Spr W14 Eschatology Fall W15 Final Exam Spr W15 Course Wrap Up; Q&A Principles of Leadership and Communication [Fall and Spring Year 1] Instructors Trey Corry, College Pastor, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Buck Anderson, Operations and Leadership Development Pastor, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Chris McGuffey, Missions & Outreach Pastor, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Marty Scott, Director of College Small Groups & Missions, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Brian Fisher, Senior Pastor, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Matt Morton, Teaching Pastor, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Sarah DeSousa, Director of College Women, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Class Description This interactive time for participants creates an opportunity for deep community to be built through consistent prayer, accountability, and training especially. A series of topics will be covered focusing in on leadership and preaching. [2 hours of study and 2 hours in class] Learning Objectives After the course participants should be able to: 1. Discuss key leadership principles for ministry. 2. Identify personal strengths, gifts, and personality within leadership. 3. Demonstrate the competency to go from the biblical text to a sermon. 4. Preach a live sermon and receive feedback to improve. Required Text Charting a Bold Course by Andrew Seidel Biblical Preaching by Haddon Robinson Course Requirements Basic Assignments: 1. Complete assigned reading and homework each week. 2. Complete personal reflective assignment and share with others each month. Course Project: 1. Write a five-page paper containing an overview of one major strategic evaluation of a ministry. It could involve an organizational restructure, personnel job description change, or the creation of a new ministry. Communicating vision and purpose will be key as well as implementation. 2. Prepare and teach a 35-40 minute talk in the Spring. Pastoral staff will assist in the creation of exegetical and homiletical outlines and then provide evaluation of the sermon.
The Grace Fellows Program 7 Course Outline Fall W1 Philosophy & Pilgrimage; Calling Part I Fall W2 Biblical Calling Part II Fall W3 Life Story & Identity Fall W4 Temperament & Gifts/Strengths Fall W5 Integrity & Intimacy Fall W6 Character Fall W7 Relationships Fall W8 Develop & Communicate Vision Fall W9 Understand Church Purpose & Vision Fa W10 Change, Conflict, & Time Management Spr W1 Preaching Introduction Spr W2 Big Idea & Subject/Complement Spr W3 Sinners in the Hand Evaluation Spr W4 Sermon Outlines Spr W5 The Heart of the Preacher Spr W6 Illustrations Spr W7 Swindoll & Ben Stuart Evaluation Spr W8 Delivery Skills Spr W9 Develop & Evaluate Own Sermon Sp W10 Conclusion; Q&A Advanced Hermeneutics and Ministry Skills [Fall and Spring Year 2] Instructors Matt Morton, Teaching Pastor, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Blake Jennings, Teaching Pastor, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Buck Anderson, Operations and Leadership Development Pastor, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Brian Fisher, Senior Pastor, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Chris McGuffey, Outreach Pastor, Grace Bible Church, College Station, TX Class Description The class provides an advanced understanding of biblical hermeneutics and key pastoral ministry topics including leadership, discipleship, counseling, and missions. [4 hours of study and 2 hours in class] Learning Objectives After the course participants should be able to: 1. Articulate a well-rounded understanding of biblical hermeneutics, including authorial intent, biblical criticism, grammatical-historical-cultural-literary interpretation, and significant dispensational issues. 2. Apply his or her understanding of hermeneutics to difficult interpretive and theological problems in the biblical text. 3. Articulate an introductory understanding of effective public communication. 4. Apply one model of biblical leadership and discipleship in his or her anticipated ministry setting. 5. Describe one model of biblical/pastoral counseling and apply it to various counseling case studies. 6. Articulate a basic understanding of church structure and governance. Required Text Validity in Interpretation by E.D. Hirsch (selections) Study and Interpretation of the Bible in Foundations for Biblical Interpretation by David S. Dockery Basic Bible Intepretation by Roy B. Zuck How to Read the Bible as Literature by Leland Ryken Three Central Issues in Contemporary Dispensationalism by Elliot Johnson and Darrell Bock Preparing Expository Sermons by Ramesh Richard Course Requirements Basic Assignments: 1. Complete assigned reading and homework before and after each class period. 2. Compose written essays in response to submitted interpretive questions from each lecture.
The Grace Fellows Program 8 Course Project: 1. Complete guided analyses of Isaiah 7:14, 1 Timothy 2:11-15, Romans 3:22-26, and Luke 15:11-32. Examine each passage from the standpoint of the topics discussed in class, including the use of the New Testament in the Old, Cultural Issues, Grammatical Analysis, and Figures of Speech. 2. Complete three assigned biblical word studies (e.g. salvation, grace, faith, etc.). 3. Write an eight-page research paper on a topic agreed upon with your instructors. Potential topics could include: role of women in ministry, a theological and pastoral approach to homosexuality, an overview and basic biblical assessment of various counseling models, etc. Course instructor will provide instructions during class. This project will require use of word studies, exegetical methods, and extra-biblical research and citations. Course Outline Fall W1 Introduction to Class; Authorial Intent Spr W1 Elder & Pastoral Relationships Fall W2 Authorial Intent; Reader Response Theory Spr W2 Pastoral Leadership Models Fall W3 Fall W4 Cultural Issues Grammatical Analysis Spr W3 Leadership and Coaching Spr W4 Counseling Models Part I Fall W5 Figures of Speech Spr W5 Counseling Models Part II Fall W6 Dispensational Issues Part I Spr W6 Word Studies Part I Fall W7 Dispensational Issues Part II Spr W7 Word Studies Part II Fall W8 Dispensational Issues Part III Spr W8 Worship Fall W9 Role of Women in Ministry Spr W9 World Missions Fall W10 Homosexuality Spr W10 Social Justice
The Grace Fellows Program 9 MINISTRY FIELD EXPERIENCES Participants spend a total of 22-26 hours each week outside of a classroom setting engaged in ministry. These experiences intentionally cover a wide array of ministry areas so as to develop participants as well rounded servants of Christ. Small Group Coordination The primary ministry emphasis of each participant will be within our small group ministry. On a weekly basis in class, a staff member will have covered the material with them. Having been trained on the material, they will help train 8-15 student leaders. Participants are responsible to disciple the student leaders, observe them in ministry, and provide skill-based coaching. Many will be able to do some public speaking in the small group venues. Each participant will need to help administrate their small group program as well. [10 hours] Purposes 1. Train 8-15 student leaders in a small group curriculum weekly. 2. Observe these leaders lead their own groups and provide them with feedback. 3. Provide discipleship for each of these leaders. 4. Help lead a weekly 30 minute discussion time in front of 50-200 students over the material. 5. Assist with processing signups and communicating with students. Evangelism Training Every participant will be trained to share their faith locally with those who do not have a relationship with Christ. While the context will vary for each participant, each participant will do the work of an evangelist (cf. 2 Timothy 4:5). [2 hours] Purposes 1. Learn to share the basic gospel message. 2. Gain experience answering common objections to the gospel within modern culture. 3. Develop confidence in initiating with and developing friendship with unbelievers outside the church. 4. Grasp the basic concepts of follow up of a new believer Ministry Specialization Every participant has unique gifts, ministry passions, and previous experiences. As a result, they will have the opportunity to specialize in certain areas in addition to general responsibilities. Such ministry areas include Worship, Sound A/V, Evangelism, Community Outreach, Missions, Men s/women s Ministry, Web & Print Promotions, Special Events, Curricula, and Administration. [6-10 hours] Purposes 1. Gain exposure and experience in unique specialty areas of church ministry. 2. Receive specialized training from pertinent staff in these specific areas as appropriate. Pastoral Field Experience Each participant will gain experience in a series of pastoral duties alongside of a pastor on staff so as to expose them to a wedding, funeral, hospital visit, counseling session, elder meeting, deacon meeting, and baptism interview. [2 hours]
The Grace Fellows Program 10 General Ministry Administration Each participant will gain experience with basic operational elements of ministry within a local church. These include weekly staff meetings that allow participants to see how to run a meeting with set agendas, calendars, and action items. In addition, participants will be required to respond to calls and emails, run leadership interviews, and execute special projects as they arise. [2 hours] MISSIONS The mission of every church is the Great Commission to make disciples of all the nations. In partnership with various mission agencies, participants go on domestic and international short-term trips. This experience provides participants with life-long vision for the nations, a heart for the lost, experience in a cross-cultural ministry, and a sense that God is working in the entire world. Cross Cultural Short-Term Trip Every participant will have the opportunity to go on one of many short-term trips. Trips vary in length from 10 days to 5 weeks. While a few domestic trips exist, the great majority of trips take program participants outside of the US to one of Grace s strategic mission initiatives (East Asia, North Africa, Greece, and India). Whether a domestic or international trip, each participant will experience a cross-cultural ministry. The great majority of program participants will also be tasked to lead a trip. More info about trips and locations can be found at http://www.grace-bible.org/serve/global-outreach/. Purposes 1. Participate in a series of trainings covering support raising, evangelism, culture, and spiritual warfare. These trainings provide the first opportunity for community to develop within each of these teams. 2. Learn a biblical framework for support-raising and raise $2500-6500 for one short-term trip. 3. Develop the ability to share one s faith through initiative style evangelism in a cross-cultural ministry. 4. Learn to do basic follow-up of a new believer. 5. Carry some aspect of the leadership responsibility including trip recruitment, administration, financial oversight, and discipleship training. 6. Learn what is required to do an excellent Trip Briefing (at beginning of the trip) and Debriefing (at end of the trip) for a team.
The Grace Fellows Program 11 PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL MENTORSHIP Each participant meets biweekly with a long-term staff member at Grace for personal mentorship. This personal discipleship time addresses any character or personality issue that may hinder a participant s ministry. This personal discipleship also provides another context for reflection and evaluation while in ministry. In addition to personal discipleship, the Pastor of Leadership Development creates a leadership profile and future vocational trajectory for each participant. The Lord s unique calling for a person s life often emerges at the intersection of their gifting, fit, desire, and opportunity. Spiritual Gifting Participants gain significant ministry experience and are given invaluable feedback by supervisors and students about their spiritual gifts and capabilities. This feedback helps them assess their future vocational direction. Required Texts or Tests: Spiritual Gifts Test (Grace Bible Church; www.ctay.net/giftsurvey; www.buildingchurch.net/gts2.net) Strengths Finder (www.strengthsfinder.com) Personal Fit Each participant possesses a unique personality, network, experience, and background. These elements all come together to determine a person s perfect fit in terms of future vocational direction. Required Texts or Tests: DISC Personality Test Meyers Briggs Personality Test Flippen Leadership Profile Personal Desire Each participant also possesses a unique desire or passion that helps clarify his or her future vocational direction. Required Texts or Tests: Campbell Interest & Skill Analysis (www.profiler.com) Available Opportunity Each participant will likely have a multitude of options as they transition out of the program. The greatest challenge comes in determining which option best matches a person s gifting, fit, and desire. Staff enters into the decision making process with each individual to help them wisely weigh their options.
MISCELLANEOUS The Grace Fellows Program 12 Cost of the program The minimum cost of the Grace Fellows Program is currently $17,000-21,000 for each participant. The cost covers salary and health care. Any funds raised over their minimum can be used towards ministry incurred costs like books and conferences. Support raising provides each participant an invaluable opportunity to build a team of prayer warriors and to learn to trust God more deeply than ever before. General Biblical Literacy In light of the tide of biblical illiteracy that is quickly becoming an epidemic in the Christian culture, each participant must read selected portions of the biblical text from Genesis to Revelation. In addition, each participant must complete a Bible content test.